| There are many environmental factors causing | | | | branches all at once. The best areas to prune |
| crape myrtles from blooming. Crape myrtles are | | | | yearly include dead branches and sear suckers. |
| normally the last flowering trees to bloom from | | | | These should be cut flush with the base branch. |
| spring through summer. A few factors detrimental | | | | Another factor that may cause little or no blooms |
| to crepe myrtles include lack of sun, crowded | | | | includes fertilizer quantities. A soil test should |
| branching, fertilizer quantities, insect populations, | | | | identify the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous |
| and poor drainage. | | | | present within the garden area. Too much |
| Crepe myrtles grow best in conditions with full | | | | nitrogen will produce healthy leaves and limbs, but |
| sunlight and plenty of air circulation throughout the | | | | stunts the growth of blooms. A quick remedy is |
| branches. Check to see if your myrtle tree is | | | | to apply bonemeal, which adds phosphorous to |
| planted in an area with little or no sunlight. There | | | | the soil and balances the soil pH. |
| may also be other trees that block significant | | | | Check for any insects and pests on your tree. |
| amounts of sunlight for your tree. A full grown | | | | These may also cause the tree stress and |
| crepe myrtle will need at least the same width of | | | | further reduce the prospect for new bloom |
| airspace as the height. For example, a myrtle | | | | growth. Trees may prefer a sea kelp spray to |
| fifteen feet high should have fifteen to thirty feet | | | | encourage new foliage and bloom development. |
| of space for proper growth, water, and sunlight | | | | Sea kelp is known to add necessary trace |
| needs. | | | | elements and nutrients to unfortified soil. |
| Late winter and early spring are the best times | | | | Another culprit may be improper drainage. Crepe |
| for pruning crepe myrtles. You should remove the | | | | myrtles prefer moderate watering, clay soils with |
| dead and weak branches while considering the | | | | additional amendments to balance soil pH, and |
| shape and form of your tree. Evenly spaced | | | | removal of spent blooms (or dried out). With the |
| branching and strong limbs are good signs your | | | | proper care and maintenance your crape myrtles |
| tree has ample room for new shoots along with | | | | should enjoy many seasons with lush blooms. |
| balanced growth habits. Be careful about pruning | | | | |