Planted a Crape Myrtle, now its very droopy...

17 years ago

Thanks to everyone that had suggestions for nurseries that deliver. We ended up buying our tree at Behnke's where they will deliver for free if you spend $400 (and buy their annual membership). We picked out a large beautiful Natchez Crape Myrtle and had it delivered on Friday.

We are new to gardening, so we pestered them with many questions about how to plant the tree properly and followed their instructions (they would have charged $800 - twice the price of the tree - to plant it!) We dug the hole twice as wide and just as deep as the rootball. We mixed the dirt from the hole with soil ammendments and topsoil. We watered it well and then applied root starter.

By Saturday morning (the day after we planted it) the tree started to look so droopy and sad. The branches were droopy and the leaves on each branch were droopy. The whole tree seems to be leaning more and more to one side (which I think is due to the fact that it was tied to a pole at Behnke's before we bought it, so most of the branches started to grow out the one side), but it is planted so that the stems come straight up from the ground.

Is this typical for a newly planted tree? Is it going through an adjustment period? How much should be watering it?

We planted it in full sun (which we were told it would like), but I wondering if the heat is too much for it. I tried googling and saw someone suggested misting the leaves, do you think that would help?

Any suggestions or words of encouragement would be most appreciated! I'm so afraid that we are going to kill our first purchase for the yard.

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Comments (4)

cfmuehling
17 years ago
In my experience with CMs, this is a tough time of year to plant them. Mine have gone into shock so badly they went bald. I kept them watered regularly, being careful in the more clay-y soil not to drown it.

I'd stake it again, but with rope vs. a stick. Full sun is correct and it sounds like you were far more careful about planting than I ever am. [LOL].

If it loses its leaves, which it very well could, just be patient. Keep it watered and don't give up. Stay in contact with Bhenkes because of their guarantee, but even though it's frightening, I think it's normal and will pass. You might not get blossoms this year, but be patient. Next year you'll never even have to give the tree a 2nd thought. It'll establish its roots this year and next year grow 2-3' with delicious, big white blossoms!

Christine
becky727
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for you advice and encouragement. I know this is a tough time of year to plant something, hopefully it will pull through!

How should we stake it? There are 5 thin trunks, so I assume we want to tie rope around all 5 so they don't break? Any tips?
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Gigim, I did see the other conversation. Personally, I might have planted it a little further out, because I like some clearance around plants and that crape myrtle will fill up that space pretty quickly. I don't think moving it is a necessity though. Most commercial nurseries would probably have planted it that close when doing a landscape job. You can prune the plant as it grows to keep it from growing over into your way on the steps. Also, I think examining the plant in context (even more than we can see in the other thread's picture) is important. In other words, looking at a picture is not like being there. Bottom line for spacing is for you to imagine the plant at it's "mature" size (and it will almost surely grow larger than that, eventually) and go from there. A simplistic definition for adventitious root is a root that grow from the trunk, above the original root flare, when the lower part of the trunk is buried below the surface. A plant will grow these roots to compensate for being planted too deeply. Probably the biggest trouble with planting a tree a little too deeply is that adventitious roots can grow around the trunk and become girdling roots as they and the tree grow larger. If planted a lot too deep (a relative thing), lower roots may die off due to a lack of oxygen. From your description and the picture, it's very unlikely that your crape is planted deep enough for this problem, especially if it's in reasonably well draining soil.
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Was the tree potted or balled and burlapped? Were any roots removed at the time of planting (if it was potbound)? Is it in full sun? If balled and burlapped, was the burlap removed when planted? If the tree is droopy, it's almost certainly in need of water. If many of the roots were removed at the time of planting, it might also need shade and wind shelter until it gets over the shock. BTW, soil amendment is not recommended for planting trees. You can find a number of threads about that subject on this forum. I will let someone else address the staking issue.
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the base problem.. is that .. as a babe.. it was planted for the size of the plant at point of sale ... with no real concept of its future potential ... once it stated growing.. 1 or 2 feet from the foundation .. there was no choice as to pruning ... but crape murder ... its simply to big a plant.. for where it is planted ... sometimes its easier to cut bait ... and start over ... and either plant it a bit further away ... OR ... buy a plant with smaller potential ... OR ... properly prune it every other year or two ... on the other hand ... [its never simple... lol] ... and do understand i have never had a CM up here in MI ... so i will defer if i am way off base ... you might try hardcore renovation ... go in there and remove the largest 1/3 of the trunks ... trying to get it to resprout way down low ... next year ... take the second third ... etc ... inside 3 years .. you will have refreshed the whole plant.. to new vital growth .. which you can train properly over the years .. [until you move and leave this nightmare for the next peep .. lol] .. upside here .. you learn a lot about pruning ... downside ... its right in front of the house .. perhaps not the best place for such an experiment ... https://duckduckgo.com/?q=renovation+pruning+of+crape+&t=ffcm&ia=web when i bought my first house.. there was a slew of 40 year plus shrubs... and i wanted to save them .. for the history of the house ... 5 years later i removed the last nightmare ... one of the happiest garden days in that garden ... pshaw on house history .... after all.. i didnt keep the paisley 3 inch shag rugs either.. lol ... https://flashbak.com/selling-harvest-gold-shag-carpet-ads-from-the-1960s-1970s-385094/ play around.. learn to prune.. but keep it in mind.. that removal might be the best answer ... of course.. if you are an instant gratification type.. just do it now ... ken
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msazadi
17 years ago
I'm new to this forum, but soon is the time to determine how you want those trunks intertwined. I bought a Meadows Farm white CM about 10 years ago after a trip to North Carolina, and it's about a 30' beauty now but I wish I had realized about the intertwining earlier. I think the current rains will be a godsend for your tree.
cfmuehling
17 years ago
Sorry! I just saw this again.

You can stake it up, in which case it's wise to tie all five trucks loosely together.

However, I don't recommend the intertwining, unless you have a dwarf variety (which you do not), and it's sheltered. msazadi, if you like that look, pick up a small Acoma or some of the new shrub CMs. They're perfect to train.

CMs put up tons and tons of shoots each year. They grow out by runners and up through the middle. They also grow so quickly that if they're intertwined, sooner or later they'll get so big and thick they choke themselves.

As a matter of fact you prune a CM for trunks usually, from the inside out, depending upon where your straightest shoots are. You definately think its little spider growth on the inside to prevent disease and mildew.

Yes, I'd stake yours. Use some of that soft, green, stretchy tape and something firm in the ground on the outside of the tree. Avoid something rough that can scratch its tender bark.

Planted a Crape Myrtle, now its very droopy...

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cfmuehling

becky727
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Planted a Crape Myrtle, now its very droopy...

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cfmuehling

becky727Original Author

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cfmuehling

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becky727
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