Crepe myrtles are beautiful flowering shrubs often found in warmer regions. Prized for their showy blooms, these plants aren’t shy when showing off during the summer. Grown in most gardens for their ornamental value, they are easy to take care of with the right amount of TLC.
One of the best things about crepe myrtles? They’re relatively resistant to most pests, making them the perfect ornamental shrub to keep in your garden. One thing you need to know about growing this is this plant heavily relies on fertilizer to thrive and grow an abundance of blooms.
Fertilizing Crepe Myrtle: Best Fertilizer to Use
A little bit of maintenance and some love means that your crepe myrtle will vibrantly produce bright flowers for your garden. Although they don’t require much attention in terms of watering and sunlight, it does rely on fertilizing to produce an optimal number of blooms.
The right type of soil, partnered with proper fertilization techniques, is key to getting the most out of your crepe myrtle. A balanced, general-purpose fertilizer is all you need to give your crepe myrtle the nutrients it needs. You can either choose an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer ratio, both of which will work just fine.
Alternatively, 16-4-8 or 12-4-8, where nitrogen has higher concentrations, is also a good choice for giving your crepe myrtle the nutrients it needs.
This is best applied during the early spring season, as it’ll provide your crepe myrtle the boost it needs to produce an optimal number of blooms. If you live in an area with a longer growing season, you can also fertilize in mid-summer.
When & How Often to Fertilize Crepe Myrtle
Feeding young crepe myrtle with fertilizer every month during spring or summer will ensure that they have the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Don’t forget to water the plant before fertilizing, which will help the fertilizer seep into the roots more easily. You can also do this after a rainfall.
On the other hand, doing this before the spring season should be sufficient for established and mature plants. You can repeat the process during the fall, cutting the ratio and diluting it in half. Doing so will help your crepe myrtle go into winter with a full tank, getting it ready to bloom beautifully come springtime.
Best Practices When Fertilizing Crepe Myrtles
There isn’t much to it when it comes to fertilizing crepe myrtles. However, as with anything else, there are always best practices to follow to ensure that you’re doing this correctly.
Use the Right Type of Fertilizer
By now, you know the importance of using fertilizer on crepe myrtles. What you might not know is that using the wrong type of fertilizer can actually do more harm than good.
An all-purpose, general fertilizer is always the best way to go. This will give your crepe myrtle the nutrients it needs without overdoing or burning the plant.
Avoid Overfertilizing
One of the most common mistakes people make when fertilizing crepe myrtles is using too much fertilizer. Remember, a little goes a long way. Overfertilizing can actually damage the plant, so it’s essential to be careful not to go overboard. Unless you have a young plant, doing it twice a year is enough.
A good rule of thumb is to always follow the directions on the fertilizer label. This will help you avoid giving your crepe myrtle too much or too little of the nutrients it needs.
Carefully measure your fertilizer and apply depending on the plant’s size. A pound of 8-8-8 fertilizer is enough to cover 100 square feet, so use this as a guide.
Water the Plant Beforehand
Applying fertilizer right after the rainfall is always ideal. However, if you can’t wait for the rain, make sure to water your crepe myrtle plant beforehand. You want to make the most out of the fertilizer you’re using, and doing so ensures that the nutrients will get to the roots in a more efficient manner.
Do a Soil Test First
If you’re unsure about what type of fertilizer to use or how often to fertilize your crepe myrtle, doing a soil test first is always a good idea.
This will give you a better idea of the nutrients that are already present in the soil and what’s lacking. From there, you can make a more informed decision about which fertilizer to use and how often to apply it.
Crepe myrtle fertilizer: Final Thoughts
Fertilizing crepe myrtles is an important part of taking care of these plants. With the right amount, expect your plants to provide your garden with lush foliage and beautiful flowers you’ll enjoy during the blooming season.
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