Gardenmagik , Pruning Crape Myrtles, Back to the Garden

[dumpysinclair]

I'm in SC, it's 40 degrees in the morn and 70 in the afternoon. Is it still ok to limp them or should I wait until it's cold again?

[jennvick7]

best video I have seen on CM pruning. My CM's are about 8-9ft tall but they were once chopped to just the trunks about 4-5 ft from ground (not by me). were the cuts are there are numerous sprouts 3-4 ft tall. I feel I should remove some of them from each leg, but not sure. Some mains have up to 10 branches sprouting up. Any suggestions? I would like to get them on the right track again.

[gardenmagik]

@jennvick7 ... Thanks so much for the nice comment! & Yes, you are exactly right...just selectively cut some of those 'skinnier branches/sprouts' off, (from where they come from at the main trunk).. Leave the fattest 3 or 4. You will need to watch in spring (to keep new sprouts off). Also, keep suckers off that sprout from the base of tree..The tree will probably never look eXActly perfect, but yearly maintenance will eventually make the tree look better and better.. Good luck!

[hugegiantfrogs]

as trick for pruning branches: I use my cordless 18v saw zaw. demolition saw. using a wood cutting blade, it whips off those branches like hot knives through butter, literally.

[gardenmagik]

Hey! you eat bees kits with yer gravy??  Lol... Thanks for the nice comment!

[tamaman7777]

Thanks for the video. I have a question. I have 6 CM's that have never been pruned. They are 5 years old. They shoot straight up and have no shape. Could I do a vase cut or V cut the top out? Or should I just limb it up? Love your video! You sound like us here in Arkansas too.

[gardenmagik]

Are the CM's multi trunk or one single trunk? I would suggest cutting only 1/3 to 1/4 off the top- if they have never been pruned , (clean cut at an angle so water sheds off the cut). Dont do a v cut... It should help them thicken up a little..Also, try to kill any grass that might be strangling the trunk. They need full sun too! Thanks for the question! I hope this helps ya.

[gardenmagik]

You can also limb the CMs up only if the lower branches are in your way ( when mowing or walking ) but it sounds like they are skinny enough...

[gardenmagik]

You are Welcome! and Thanks for the comment! it made me lol too! No C.M. murder!

[dumpysinclair]

When is the best time of year to prune and limb them?

[gardenmagik]

Great question! ... The best time is Before leaf break (late winter). Here in Georgia, we usually prune before the end of February. Lots of people like to "top" the tree (cut the tops off) but that always makes the tree look like a canopy (b/c the new branches that grow are not strong enough to support the weight of the huge flower heads.) Sometimes, "topping" is ok if you have to keep the tree short on account of overhead wires or the like. Fertilize early spring with a 10-10-10.

[gardenmagik]

Thanks! Yes you can raise them there! Now, you might need to amend the soil correctly to get correct ph and sructure (Im not sure what type soil you have) but, i would suggest doin a lil research on 'Lagerstroemia faurei' the varieties are Townhouse, Fantasy or Kiowa ... usually, they say ya cant raise Crapes up north but what happens is the tree dies back to the ground during hard winters, but the roots stay alive and it comes back from the root and just looks like a shrub.Hope this helps!

[gardenmagik]

Aphids on Crapes are crazy! If the Crape M is small, you can spray water on it to knock them off every other day... or you can put a type of systemic insecticide on it, which means it just gets in the system... or Neem Oil is great too! I would suggest the Neem Oil... Thanks for askin! Hope this helps...

[gardenmagik]

Wow! Thanks so much! As a matter of fact, I do have a small garden show here on our local cable channel 16... and i love it!

[gardenmagik]

Kitha! Hey Thanks so much for the comment! Im glad it helped you! I absolutely love pruning things and there really is an art to pruning~ especially on certain plants and trees... So, If you have any questions, just ask & I will try to help. So, keep in touch and Happy Gardening! melissa