Crepe myrtles are enticing shrubs and timber recognized for his or her lovely crepe-like flowers. Though crepe myrtles look nice in gardens, they can be cultivated as bonsai timber indoors and open air. On this article, we’ll study crepe myrtle bonsai timber and develop them.
About Crepe Myrtles
Crepe myrtles are a gaggle of shrubs and timber from the Lagerstroemia genus within the Lythraceae household. Most crepe myrtle species are deciduous, though some are evergreen. Crepe myrtles are native to components of Asia, Australia, and the Indian Subcontinent.
Crepe myrtles produce lovely crepe-like flowers in numerous shades of pink, purple, purple, and white. They flower all through summer time and fall and might bloom for 3 to 4 months. Crepe myrtles even have enticing leaves and peeling bark that modifications colour all year long.
Most crepe myrtles develop between 10 and 30 toes tall and roughly 10 to fifteen toes broad. Crepe myrtles are fast-growing crops that produce 2 to three toes of recent progress yearly. Most crepe myrtles stay for a number of a long time.
Are Crepe Myrtles Good for Bonsai?
Though they work greatest as decorative shrubs and timber, crepe myrtles additionally make good bonsai timber. Because of their attractive flowers, Crepe myrtles are a wonderful alternative if you would like a flowering bonsai tree. Because of their quick progress fee, crepe myrtles reply properly to pruning.
Crepe myrtles are lovely bonsai because of their colourful leaves and trunks. Crepe myrtle leaves change colour all through the season. Throughout fall and winter, the peeling bark produces a number of beautiful colours, from beige to grey and even purple or brown.
Which Kind of Crepe Myrtle is Greatest for Bonsai?
Dwarf and semi-dwarf crepe myrtles are perfect for rising as bonsai timber. These crepe myrtles naturally keep compact, making them extremely manageable. Dwarf crepe myrtles additionally develop properly in pots, making them excellent for bonsai.
Most dwarf or semi-dwarf crepe myrtles develop between 2 and 6 toes tall. Because of their naturally small dimension, these crepe myrtles may be saved in examine with cautious pruning. Additionally they retain the enticing flowers, leaves, and bark of full-size crepe myrtles.
Among the greatest dwarf crepe myrtles for bonsai embody:
- Lagerstroemia indica ‘World’s Honest’
- Lagerstroemia indica ‘Pink Blush’
- Lagerstroemia indica ‘Pixie White’
What Do Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Timber Symbolize?
The follow of bonsai developed in Japan as an evolution of a Chinese language artwork kind known as penjing. Also called penzai, penjing was practiced in China as early as 700 AD to create miniature pure landscapes. Bonsai differs from penjing in that it’s purely targeted on caring for a person tree.
Bonsai timber assist domesticate peace and serenity in practitioners. By cultivating a bonsai tree, a gardener has a extra intimate reference to nature. Bonsai timber additionally symbolize the circle of life, stability, pure concord, and ease.
Find out how to Develop Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
Rising Circumstances
Relying in your local weather, crepe myrtle bonsai timber may be grown indoors or open air. Crepe myrtles develop greatest in heat, humid situations in USDA Zones 6 to 9. In hotter climates, crepe myrtle bonsai may be grown open air all year long. In colder areas, develop them indoors.
Crepe myrtles are deciduous shrubs that lose their leaves and go dormant all through the winter. Simulate this indoors by putting your bonsai in a colder location throughout the winter. The temperature ought to keep between 45 and 55ºF (7 to 12ºC).
Daylight Necessities
Crepe myrtle bonsai timber require full solar to develop at their greatest. Outside, crepe myrtles require roughly six hours of direct daylight day by day, ideally within the morning. Present indoor crepe myrtle bonsai with shiny direct or oblique gentle.
Soil Necessities
Crepe myrtle bonsai want well-draining soils that comprise plenty of natural matter. The soil also needs to have the ability to retain some moisture with out turning into waterlogged. Use a normal bonsai potting combine for indoor crops. Alternatively, use a mixture of soil, natural matter, and grit for crepe myrtle bonsai rising outdoors.
Watering
Crepe myrtle bonsai must be saved barely moist all through the rising season. Water crepe myrtle bonsai each time the highest inch or two of soil feels dry. Water the plant much less regularly throughout the winter to assist encourage dormancy.
Fertilizing
Crepe myrtle bonsai want loads of vitamin, particularly if you would like them to flower. Feed crepe myrtle bonsai each two weeks from spring till fall. Use devoted bonsai liquid fertilizers or slow-release granules.
Repotting
Repot crepe myrtle bonsai timber each one to 3 years. Over time, crops rising in pots turn out to be rootbound, resulting in issues. Use contemporary soil and add a dose of fertilizer to offer an additional enhance of vitamins.
Pruning
Pruning is an important a part of rising a bonsai tree because it retains the plant compact. Prune crepe myrtle bonsai within the fall after flowering has completed. This stimulates the tree to provide extra buds subsequent yr. You may also practice your crepe myrtle bonsai right into a desired form utilizing wire.
Pests and Illnesses
Pests like aphids or spider mites regularly goal crepe myrtle bonsai. Get rid of pests utilizing horticultural oils or insecticidal cleaning soap. Keep good rising situations to scale back the danger of illnesses like powdery mildew, which may result in broken foliage and yellowing leaves.
Crepe Myrtle Bonsai FAQs:
How Do You Develop a Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Tree?
Develop crepe myrtle bonsai in full solar and well-draining soil. Develop them indoors in colder areas or convey them inside throughout the winter. Fertilize your bonsai each two weeks and repot each one to 3 years.
Can Crepe Myrtles Keep Small?
Crepe myrtle bonsai may be saved small by means of common pruning within the fall. Select dwarf cultivars which can be extra suited to bonsai.
Are Crepe Myrtles OK in Pots?
Crepe myrtles develop properly in pots so long as they’ve well-draining soil. Maintain the soil barely moist however keep away from overwatering.
Wrapping Up
Crepe myrtles make lovely bonsai timber because of their elegant flowers, colourful leaves, and peeling bark. Select dwarf cultivars, as these are higher suited to bonsai. Present full solar and well-draining soil and encourage a interval of winter dormancy.
For extra, see our in-depth information on the distinction between crepe myrtle and crape myrtle and develop crape myrtles from cuttings.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener dwelling in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s obsessed with nature and sustainability with a give attention to gardening and wildlife.
