Crepe Myrtle

[BB Brian]

I bought these 2 Crepe Myrtles about a week ago and one seems to be wilting. Not sure why?




Any advice would be appreciated. Surely I can still save him.


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[Beano]

It might be a cutting that they've sold as a plant? Is it firm in the pot? How's the soil, dig under the surface a bit, is it dry? Are the leaves dry and crispy? How do you water them? Where do you keep them, indoor or out?

[Matthew]

Im assuming these are living outside and not inside at all ? looks like soil got too dry for a period however you can see if there is root damage carefully. I would scratch just under the bark layer to see if still green. If it is still a chance. I would water it heavily and keep it outside . If no green more or not a goner.

[BB Brian]

It might be a cutting that they've sold as a plant? Is it firm in the pot? How's the soil, dig under the surface a bit, is it dry? Are the leaves dry and crispy? How do you water them? Where do you keep them, indoor or out?

Purchased from bonsai nursery. Leaves aren't dry from what I remember but we have had a fair bit of sun here in Sydney and a few of my other trees were having too much water and I mayve missed a day without any water. They are kept outside it full sun.
Is this species as thirsty as the Chinese Elm?


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[bodhidharma]

In full leaf like that and in Sydney, I would be watering every day. Cut the dried out leaves off and, as it is Autumn, they would fall off anyway. They will have dormant buds at the base of the petiole so scissor cut the leaf and leave the petiole. Should be fine Crepe myrtles are quite hardy.

[RogerW]

Personally, I would take the plant back to the nursery. They should replace it. That was always our policy.

Roger

[kcpoole]

if the 2 of them were kept togehter and the same treatment no reason to have one go south unless crook

Ken

[BB Brian]

Something green on the soil. Would that be part of the issue?






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[BB Brian]

I'm thinking to cut wilting leaves, wire and repot both trees. Thoughts?


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[shibui]

The green is just algae growing on the potting mix. Not to blame for the leaves. The potting mix does look dry. My guess is like Matthew - Looks like it was too dry, maybe just one day would do it.
Bodhi has already said you can cut off all the dry leaves and cut off any dry shoots. It should grow again in spring. You can root prune and repot the dry one now but I think I would wait for the other one to stop growing before repotting that. You can wire any tree any time of year but it is easier when there are no leaves.

[Ray M]

Hi banong,
I would cut the leaves off as Bohdi has mentioned.
Put the tree in a tub of water with Seasol for at least an hour. Hopefully this will rehydrate the roots. I certainly wouldn't be repotting or wiring until you see good growth come back.

Postby banong
I'm thinking to cut wilting leaves, wire and repot both trees. Thoughts?

Water it every day. Give it a drink of Seasol a couple of times a week until you see it recover. If you use a watering can to put the Seasol on you can water over the whole tree.

Regards Ray

[melbrackstone]

Agree with Ray, soak it for an hour or so, to make sure that the mix is getting wet enough. If you haven't been watering it deeply enough (or that one has gotten to be water repellent,) then this is definitely going to show up as wilting leaves. Crepe myrtle here in Brisbane do seem to enjoy being kept well watered, and they're nearly always the first to show they need water when it's hot.

[BB Brian]

Really appreciate all the advice. I did soak for roughly 30mins when I got home. Will give it another good water and seasol in the morning before work and hold off on the repot and wire for now.
Cheers.


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[BB Brian]

Ok I've also watered them this morning and what I've noticed is that water drips to one side of the pot. A rookie error but found out that my table has an ever so lightly lean to one side. Will have to rectify his once I get home.


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[BB Brian]

I think there's some improvement in the tree already! Better than my camera work. [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]


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