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Crepe myrtle without flowers


Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming? |

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Are you asking yourself, 'why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?' Then you need to check the key factors that could prevent it from flourishing.

Also known as Lagerstroemia, the crepe myrtle is a versatile plant that can be grown as a tree or maintained as an ornamental shrub, making it a beautiful addition to your garden ideas.

It possesses panicles of beautiful flowers with a crepe-like texture, usually in pink, purple or white, which start in late spring and endure through summer.

‘The crepe myrtle is such a beautiful flowering tree during the warmer months,’ says Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield . ‘They also have good fall color. I love how the branches are thick enough to handle being in containers, which also makes them one of the best trees to grow in pots.’

A crepe myrtle not blooming is a common problem – so use our seven-step guide to diagnose why your prized tree is failing to flower.

Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?

Though crepe myrtles are fairly hardy, reliable plants, there are several issues that can prevent them from blooming.

‘First and foremost, you need to ensure that you are growing your crepe myrtle in the right climate,’ says Homes & Gardens editor in chief Lucy Searle. 

‘Native to Southern Asia and Oceania, the crepe myrtle has transported well to other continents, and is widely grown in the US – the trees can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 6-10, though are best suited to zones 7-9.’

You also need to ensure that you know how to prune crepe myrtle.

As long as you are growing crepe myrtle in a suitable climate, then diagnosing why it is not blooming should be fairly simple.

(Image credit: Biosphoto / Alamy Stock Photo)

1. Your tree is too young

Your crepe myrtle may not be blooming if it is only a young tree – it can take 3-5 years for a tree to become established enough to flower.

This may sound like a long time, but bear in mind that the trees take 5-10 years to mature, and 20-50 years to reach their ultimate size. ‘Crepe myrtles are a long-term investment in your garden, and will be enjoyed for decades to come,’ says Searle.

Bear in mind that trees bought from garden centers are usually already a few years old, so you shouldn’t have too long to wait.

2. Lack of sunlight

‘Crepe myrtles demand six hours of uninterrupted sunlight per day, so ensure your plant's location allows for this,’ says Tiffany Payne at Orangeries UK . 

‘If other trees shadow your crepe myrtle, for example, it will not get the adequate exposure it requires and will not thrive as much as you would want.’

If your crepe myrtle is planted in a spot where it can’t receive enough sunlight, then you should consider moving it to a sunnier spot. The best time to do this is when the tree is dormant – ideally in late winter.

3. Crepe myrtle not getting enough water

Crepe myrtles benefit from being watered regularly when newly planted – usually for the first year – but once settled in they are quite drought tolerant.  

However, in periods of extreme drought, the trees can become stressed and fail to bloom due to lack of water.

Look for signs of wilting and yellowing, which are an indication of underwatering.

‘Water your tree deeply once or twice a month in dry weather, so that the water reaches around 12-24 inches deep in the soil,’ says Searle.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

4. Poorly draining soil

While crepe myrtles benefit from a good watering when they are young and in periods of dry weather, they must be planted in well draining soil, and do not like to be waterlogged.

The good news is that the trees are adaptable to most soil types, except for soggy soils that hold too much moisture.

5. Your tree isn’t getting the right nutrients

The right nutrient balance is important for all plants, and if your soil isn’t providing the right mix, then it could be a key reason for a crepe myrtle not blooming.

In order to thrive, crepe myrtles need phosphorus – ​​so add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil surrounding the tree in early spring.

However, a common mistake gardeners make is to use a ferilizer high in nitrogen, which is likely to inhibit flowering. Consider not just the tree itself, but nearby plants in surrounding flower beds. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

6. Pruning crepe myrtle incorrectly

Crepe myrtles only bloom on new growth, so take care not to remove this when pruning.

‘A common explanation for crepe myrtle not blooming is because you pruned it too late,’ says Payne.

‘You should never clip it after it has begun to develop in the spring and once it blooms since you risk mistakenly removing new growth.

‘Instead, prune flowers either after they've finished flowering or very early in the spring before the blossoms appear.’ 

If you need to tidy up your tree, only remove older wood, rather than new growth.

Another reason older crepe myrtles may not be blooming is if the branches have become overcrowded. Make sure you remove dead branches, which will allow in more sunlight and help the air to circulate.

7. Your crepe myrtle is diseased

There are a few diseases which can affect crepe myrtles; while they should be easy to spot, they can impede growth and flowering.

Sooty mold, which appears as a black residue on the leaves, is a fungal problem caused by insects. The mold grows on the honeydew created by insects feasting on the plant’s sap. Common culprits include aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies.

Controlling the pests will take care of the issue – use an insecticidal soap or natural product such as neem oil.

Cercospora leaf spot is another common fungus, which is evident by brown spots appearing on older leaves. These will then prematurely drop, which puts stress on the plant, potentially impacting flowering. Thankfully, it doesn’t cause long-term damage to the tree.

The best way to avoid cercospora is to grow your tree in an open, sunny spot with good air circulation, which will make it harder for the fungus to take hold.

What do you put on crepe myrtles to make them bloom?

To make your crepe myrtle bloom, apply a high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen fertilizer in a slow-release formula in early spring. Alternatively, fertilize regularly throughout the growing season.

Younger trees need monthly feeding, while more established trees benefit from being fertilized every two weeks. 

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

Why Aren't My Crape Myrtles Blooming

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Home 4 Seasons Why Aren’t My Crape Myrtles Blooming

Crape Myrtle in full bloom.

We don’t always know the reasons why plants bloom better some years than others. If you aren’t seeing any signs of disease or insect problem, finding the answer will require a bit of detective work.

There can be many different reasons why your crape myrtles aren’t blooming. (Davies_Designs, Pixabay)

Here are some of the most common reasons why crape myrtles don’t bloom:

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Myrtle (myrtle tree): types, reproduction and care

Myrtle tree is an ornamental leafy plant that will become a real decoration of any interior. In addition, myrtle has undeniable benefits for humans, due to its natural disinfecting properties. You can buy myrtle in a pot on our website. Also, you can always order fresh flowers in Kharkov and other cities of Ukraine.

Characteristics of the myrtle tree

Indoor plant "Myrtle"

Myrtle (Myrtus) belongs to the Myrtle family. Among these low evergreens there are both shrubs and trees. The myrtle tree is thermophilic, and the culture is native to the northern regions of Africa, Western Asia, Western Europe, as well as the southern states of America and the island archipelagos of the Caribbean. The leaf plates of the species are dense, fleshy, grow opposite each other. Small buds with a pleasant smell are formed directly in the leaf axils. In some representatives of the species, flowers can grow in racemes. After the end of the flowering period, berries ripen in place of the buds, which can be eaten.

The word "myrtle" in translation means "balm". This is due to the fact that the essential oil contained in parts of the plant is widely used for medicinal purposes. In addition, oil is considered a valuable raw material for perfumes and other aromatic compositions. But myrtle is famous not only for ether. Dried leaves and berries of the culture are valuable spices. Because of these features, the myrtle tree is highly valued not only by gardeners.

Culture carries a certain symbolism. Many nations recognize the plant as the personification of grace, peace, goodness and happiness. In ancient times, wreaths were woven from tree branches and bouquets were formed. Compositions with sprigs of myrtle were a must-have wedding gift, which is why the culture is often called the "bride tree".

Before you start growing myrtle, it is worth learning about certain characteristics of the shrub. So, in the cold season, the culture is at rest, so caring for it will not be the same all year round. Also for this reason, a flower pot must be kept in different conditions in winter and summer. Culture loves to "breathe" very much, so try to move the myrtle to an open balcony, terrace or gazebo for the summer. Many even drop a flower directly with a container in a flower bed or in a flower garden. The main thing is to choose the best place for him. There is one more point: if you are allergic or you just have an increased sensitivity to smells, the aroma of myrtle can cause dizziness or nausea. So these useful houseplants are not for everyone.

Types of myrtle tree

According to various sources, from 15 to 40 varieties belong to the genus Myrtle. But in room conditions, ordinary myrtle is most often cultivated.

Common myrtle (Myrtus communis)

The common myrtle tree is a low shrub with a branched trunk covered with burgundy layered bark resembling scales. Leaf plates are fragrant, rich green, elongated, without sharp ends, shiny and dense. The buds are most often just white, but they can also be pale pink, the stamens are tall. Flowering is observed all 3 summer months, after which dark red berries ripen on the bush. The most common hybrid variety is called Tarentina. It is distinguished by even smaller fruits, the size of which is compensated by the density of ripening. Also, a beige uneven strip stands out on the border of the leaves of Tarentina.

Myrtle myrtle (Myrtus apiculata)

It is a shrub or tree with flaky brown bark that hides a whitish trunk. Leaf plates are dark, oval, with a matte surface. Buds grow singly, painted white. The flowering season is observed in July and August. The berries are almost black, suitable for eating.

Myrtus chequen

Myrtus chequen has glossy deep green leaves with wrinkled edging. It is resistant to adverse conditions of existence.

Ralph's myrtle (Myrtus ralfii)

Ralph's myrtle has upright shoots, dark leaves and pale pink buds. Berries are red, sour. This species has a variety series with bright flowers and leaves bordered with a beige edge.

Growing myrtle from seeds

First, prepare a suitable container, fill it with soil (a mixture of river sand and peat is suitable), and sprinkle the seeds on the surface of which. You do not need to deepen them, just sprinkle a handful of earth on top. Many gardeners recommend disinfecting the myrtle soil mixture, for example, this can be done by calcining. After the seed material is planted, it must be watered and covered with a lid on top to create the effect of a greenhouse. The shutter is periodically opened for fresh air access. In this case, the containers should be stored in a cool place (up to 20 °C). The first sprouts will hatch in a week or two. Picking starts after the formation of the first pair of leaves. To do this, you will need pots with a mixture of peat, turf, humus and sand in equal proportions. As they grow, when the roots fill all the free space, young myrtles can be transplanted by transshipment into larger containers. Further, care for seedlings does not differ from care for adult specimens. In principle, caring for a myrtle and caring for a money tree are almost identical. Do not expect early flowering, it will come only when the myrtle tree is 5 years old.

Reproduction of myrtle

It is possible to grow myrtle not only with seeds. Cuttings show themselves pretty well. Moreover, it can be held twice a year - in the middle of winter and in the middle of summer. Cut branches 5-8 centimeters long and remove almost all the leaves from them, and shorten the rest. Such actions will help reduce the amount of evaporation. Moisten the end of the cutting with root growth stimulator if you want to encourage rooting. Next, you need to prepare containers with sheet soil and sand and plant cuttings there. Cover the containers with polyethylene, put them in the shade at a temperature of 18-20 ° C, do not forget to moisten and ventilate. Rooting will come in about a month. After that, young plants are planted in personal containers 7 centimeters wide with peat, sand, turf and humus. Water the sprouts generously and pinch the top stems. When the roots grow, the crops can be transplanted into new pots of slightly larger sizes. The flowering of myrtle grown from cuttings will come in 3-4 years.

Caring for myrtle

Caring for myrtle is not difficult, but requires you to follow the rules regularly.

Location and lighting

The location of indoor myrtle can be adjusted depending on the season and the air temperature in the room. For the summer, move the pot outside or onto the balcony. If you have a rocky garden, a myrtle tree would be just the right place there. Myrtle is photophilous, but direct sunlight will harm the bush. Let it grow better in shading. Under conditions that are comfortable for the plant, your myrtle will be lush and juicy. In the case of indoor placement, choose window sills for culture that are oriented to the east or west. The level of daily illumination also affects the timing of the dormant period. Even in winter, leave the pot in a place with good light. Under normal conditions, the wintering of the myrtle tree lasts about one and a half months. And if the flower stands in coolness and darkness, then this period reaches 3 months. It is worth noting that the change of "place of residence" of the myrtle should be gradual. Every day, move the pot towards the window at a slow pace.

Temperature

During the growing season, myrtle must be kept cool. Summer heat is an enemy to culture. And in winter and late autumn, the flower should live at a temperature of 9-10 ° C, and even 5 ° C is better. Otherwise, all the leaves will fall from the shrub. Also, do not forget to ventilate the room more often.

Watering

It is necessary to water the myrtle tree with purified soft water (you can also use well-settled water throughout the day). All year round, except in winter, watering the myrtle should be plentiful. It is necessary to start moistening as soon as the topsoil dries sufficiently. If the wintering of myrtle occurs in the cold, the volume of watering is noticeably reduced, but it is impossible to bring the clod of earth to complete dryness. Otherwise, emergency actions will be needed (immersion of a flower pot in a basin of water). In addition, make sure that there is no stagnant moisture in the soil, otherwise the roots may rot.

Humidity

Myrtle trees love high humidity, so during the warm season the plant must be regularly sprayed with water from a spray bottle. In this case, as in the case of irrigation, the water must certainly be soft and filtered. During the dormant period, spraying is suspended.

Fertilizer

Fertilize the crop once a week in spring, summer and autumn. The type of fertilizer is selected depending on your horticultural goals. If you want the plant to have lush flowering, give preference to dressings with a high phosphorus content. And if you want the myrtle to be compact and decorative, buy nitrogen compounds. In general, universal complex fertilizers for decorative leafy plants in liquid form will fit perfectly.

Pruning

Under favorable conditions, the myrtle will grow rapidly, so there is nowhere without crown formation, otherwise the bush will look like an untidy pyramid. Forming pruning is started in the spring. By trimming the side stems, you can give the plant the shape of a compact tree, and the upper ones - turn it into a bush. In general, the bride's tree lends itself perfectly to any type of pruning, so armed with imagination, you can create a unique composition from it. The main thing is not to overdo it, since very frequent pruning of the side shoots of young plants is harmful to the culture. Young myrtle trees still cannot boast of sufficient strength to maintain a lush crown. Wait until your indoor flower grows up, becomes strong, and then you can pick up a tool. But that's about cuts. But you can pinch the shoots all year round, although without fanaticism: frequent pinching will be to the detriment of flowering.

Transplantation

Young myrtles are transplanted annually. And adult trees - a little less often, once every two or three years. When transplanting myrtle, it is very important to leave the base of the trunk bare, without earth. And the container should be medium in size. For example, myrtle trees at the age of 3 years need a pot with a diameter of 11-12 centimeters. As for the soil mixture, the following options are allowed here:

And do not forget to put a good drainage layer on the bottom of the container, which will resist the stagnation of excess moisture.

Diseases and pests

The myrtle tree has a fairly strong immunity, but the plant may suffer if it is kept warm. In this case, the bush will become susceptible to attack by pests. The main danger for myrtle is whiteflies, spider mites, scale insects, false scale insects, mealybugs and thrips. Colonies of scale insects and false scale insects are almost invisible, however, parasites multiply rapidly, which is why the bush is covered with brown spots. You can simply remove insects from a tree by hand, using an ordinary cotton swab. In case of large-scale infection, the bush can be additionally washed with soapy water or sprayed with insecticides. Microscopic aphids stick to the underside of the leaves and suck the juices from the plant. Because of this, the leaf plates wither and twist into a tube. Get rid of aphids with insecticides. If the myrtle tree does not have enough watering and the air in the room is too dry, most likely the cobweb will start on the plant. It is almost impossible to see the parasite with the naked eye, however, you can notice a slight coating of cobwebs on the bush. Affected specimens are treated by spraying chemicals and rubbing the back of the leaves with garlic or tobacco decoction. Broad-spectrum insecticides will also come to the rescue.
In addition to the attack of pests, other problems can happen to the bush:

Useful properties

The leaves of the myrtle tree contain valuable essential oil, which contains phytoncides. These substances destroy all types of harmful microorganisms and suppress their activity. Thus, indoor myrtle will help keep you healthy and protect you from a range of viral illnesses, including colds and flu. It is equally useful to put a flower pot on a bedside table in a sick person's room. The smell of myrtle invigorates and well tones. In the kitchen, the plant will also be in place, because it is not for nothing that the leaves of the bush are often included in culinary recipes. The berries and leaves are used to make savory sauces and spicy teas. Ointments and creams based on myrtle oil treat rashes, wounds, and myrtle inhalations effectively help fight respiratory system diseases. Also, the aroma of essential oil helps to increase immunity. The buds and leaves of the plant are often used in cosmetology as part of anti-aging, healing and softening face masks.

Myrtle wood not only looks great, it creates a special atmosphere in any room. No wonder the myrtle ether is part of the incense, which is used during services in temples. It is believed that the smell of myrtle gives a person energy, makes him more efficient. So do not forget to put a bush next to your workplace in the office or at home. In the south of Italy and France, the myrtle tree is used as a raw material for the manufacture of branded liqueurs. Such a drink even managed to become a national treasure of the island of Sardinia. And there are two types of liquor. Red, the raw material for which are berries, processed in a special way, and white, obtained from the leaves. The ancient peoples also did not deprive the myrtle of attention. Thus, a wicker wreath with branches of a myrtle tree and roses previously served as a headdress for brides in the southern latitudes of Europe.

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crepe myrtle, pink, flowers, tree, nature, pink flowers, branch, bloom, flower, plant

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