u/ghostflower25

Our home came with 9 crepe myrtle trees, I’m guessing they are 7 years old and we have been here for 6 years. Every year after a heavy rain, the branches bend to the ground and do not really pop back up after it dries.

I thought by now, the branches would be getting stronger to support the blooms. I have never crepe murdered them and just prune a bit in a v- shape, removing cross branches. They get compost tea soil applications twice a year by a reputable tree company. The bark started shedding and getting the beautiful smooth finish last year.

My question is, what can I do to encourage stronger limbs? Should I prune the heaviest branches back now? I cut back any snapped branches of course and we already have the main trunk’s supported to prevent a total flop over. Thanks in advance for any expert advice!

Guess I better get planting! I’m behind schedule this year and haven’t had the time to get them in the ground yet. I’m in 8a NC, but worry about too wet soil if we get a-lot of winter rain, so I’ve been digging them up and storing in the crawlspace. These tubers in on their 5th or 6th season.

It’s a great lavender year since we’ve been in a drought! The bees are loving it too. Oops typo in title, zone 8a.

What to do? I’ve never had an issues with these Little Spit Fires, but this year 4 of 9 are not fully leafing out. We had a short cold snap after 88 degree weather which I thought was the issue. The middle picture is one that is half ok. My Picture this app says over watering, but my area is in a severe drought and I’ve watered them. I pulled back the wood chip a “landscaper” piled too deep around them. It’s been a week since I did that and no improvement. Any advice? Should I just wait and see and give them more time?