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Fertilizer for Muskogee Crape Myrtle

14 years ago

I transplanted a large (est. 9-10') Muskogee in September 2007. It has survived and is healthy, but last summer, I noticed only two small flowers. Last week, I noticed about four small flowers. Should I have fertilized last fall? I have never fertilized any of my CM's and all bloom profusely during the summer. A recent Tonto 2007 transplant, though much smaller than the Muskogee when transplanted, has grown rapidly and was filled with flowers last summer and this summer.

I realize the larger the tree the longer it can take for the roots to establish, but this tree is healthy and beautiful except for the lack of multiple, showy flowers. Help!

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Comments (3)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
Does your soil have a deficiency? If not, why are you fertilizing? If you don't know, how do you know?

Dan
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
Since we can't review your planting procedures, or inspect the site....it's impossible to speculate as to why the delay in flowering. I would be patient.
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katrina1
14 years ago
How much direct sun does your Muskogee Crape Myrtle receive? My daughter planted two CMs this spring, one dwarf on the southwest corner of her house. If seems to receive from 9am to sunset sun. and it is now covered with blooms. On the same day she also planted a more upright 8 to 10 foot potential growing Cm. Only this one she planted on a recessed corner which half of it receives shade from the house until about 12 noon, and the other half of it receives nearly full day sun. This CM did not even have noticable flower buds by the time her little dwarf globe shaped CM burst forth in bloom.

It took about three weeks longer before bloom buds could be seen on her taller cm shrub, and even now only a few of those buds have bloomed.

With established CMs its all about how much sun esposure they have.

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