To encourage healthy growth, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer for houseplants. These dance performances are done strictly on a volunteer basis. Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding A Perfectly Normal Process It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed. If soil ph is over 6.5, garden sulfur is the best option for lowering the ph. Lagerstroemias common name crape myrtle or crepe myrtle comes from the thin, shriveled petals that are reminiscent of crepe paper. If your crepe myrtle is dropping leaves, chances are your trees are infested with a fungus called Cercospora leaf spot. { The Petite Plum crape myrtle variety is a dwarf tree growing as a large shrub. Crape myrtle leaves have a pinnate growing arrangement and grow oppositely on stems. What They Are: A tiny invader now threatens peach, plum, pear, pecan, and many other trees in the South: the Asian ambrosia beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus). After its first growing season, crepe myrtles should only need fertilizer once a yearusually in spring before new growth begins. During summer, the dense green foliage contrasts with the vibrant pastel-colored flowers. What It Does: They rarely kill crepe myrtles but produce honeydew which grows black sooty mold. There are many predatory insects that feed on aphids such a ladybug beetles and green lacewings so avoid spraying broad spectrum insecticides that would destroy these beneficial insects. And yes, they can be very messy. "@type": "Question", So if you ask me only one main cause of crepe myrtle leaves curling and drying, I can simply advise you to check pest activities on the first note. It is a fast grower and annual pruning in winter is especially important to control size and form. If you notice the leaves changing their color and turning yellow or orange, it is a sign that your crepe myrtle plant has fungal leaf spots. I think she planted a ginkgo. This exposes the handsome bark and also improves air circulation, making leaf diseases such as mildew and leaf spot less likely. You can use Chickasaw bushes as foundation plantings, low-growing flowering hedges, or in containers for deck areas and patios. Another complication occurs to trees planted in a shady area with damp or humid growing conditions. A question for Dan Gill:I've noticed many of the leaves on my crape myrtles are turning orange and dropping off. See our guide to planting crepe myrtles for step-by-step planting directions. Leaves reach 4 to 12 inches long and turn red in fall. Lets look in detail at some of the taller varieties of Lagerstroemia indica to enhance your gardens aesthetics. Crepe myrtle can be grown from both clippings of a mature tree as well as by seed assuming you arent starting with a patented plant. Improve the soil drainage by adding organic mulches like leaves and well-decomposed manure. Mmmmmm. You can grow ornamental crape myrtle bushes in warm climates. It still blooms the same. If you want to plant crape myrtle trees to enhance your garden landscape, check the mature size of the shrub or tree. This soil should be well-draining. A telltale clue is a white, toothpick-like spike of boring dust that protrudes about 1 inches from the trunk. This tall deciduous shrub grows between 6 and 9 ft. (1.8 2.7 m) tall. Its best to water your crepe myrtle in the early morning hours. -- to which we bring finger foods. 2017 Swinging Swallows Modern Square Dance Club. The easiest is to ensure you follow all the best practices when caring for your crepe myrtles: Crepe myrtles can have red leaves during the fall, but the leaves can also be orange or yellow. } Water your crepe myrtles correctly. This cultivar grows up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and has dense glossy-green foliage throughout the growing season. Apply the best all-purpose and slow-release shrub fertilizer to your crepe myrtles. { We keep a copy on the Info Table for dancers to look at. Some crepe myrtles bloom better than others. The fungus clogs the plant's water transport system, which results in wilting. The Club has an annual membership drive every September (usually the second and third Thursdays after Labour Day). The Catawba crape myrtle is a spectacular variety of tall, colorful shrub. Answer: This is a fungal disease called Cercospora leaf spot. I feel like these medium-sized trees bring pure joy to my backyard. If your crepe myrtle has bacterial leaf scorch, remove the tree. With some pruning, the compact shrub is ideal for mass planting, flowering hedgerows, or growing in containers. The various strains of the Crepe Myrtle produce a variety of beautiful flowers. The tree itself has a very hard wood that can be used in craft applications. The Crepe Myrtle tree, with the scientific name Lagerstroemia indica, can be as short as 3 feet or as tall as 200 feet at maturity depending on the species and how it is pruned. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Once you notice a powdery mildew outbreak, spray the foliage according to label directions in early summer with neem oil, horticultural oil, Natria Disease Control, Daconil, or Immunox. Youll find them on all parts of the crepe myrtle but rarely on the leaves. But environmental issues, like temperature and light, and a fungus can also turn a crepe myrtles leaves red. At Christmas and the end of the dance year we have a pot-luck dinner prior to dancing. Leave enough horizontal space for the crepe myrtle's roots to expand, but be aware of the varieties' maximum height because porch ceilings or other overhanging elements could prevent its proper growth. Most crepe myrtle trees planted today are selections of Lagerstroemia indica or hybrids between this species and Lagerstroemia faurei. Heres how: Improper watering interrupts the movement of phosphorus. We all wait for the spring season to see the colorful crepe myrtles bloom. Young crepe myrtles are more likely to fall victim to this deficiency. Because growers spend significant time and money breeding specific plant cultivars they often patent these plants, and replicating those plants is technically a violation of that patent, even if youre propagating for personal use. Pest Infestation. Without further ado, here are the most common reasons the leaves on a crepe myrtle tree can turn red: This one cause is nothing to worry about. Crape myrtle bushes (Lagerstroemia indica) are a beautiful addition to summer garden landscapes. A liquid spray of Sevin is also effective. Read on for information about what might be causing yellow leaves on a crepe myrtle and what action you should take to help your tree. "mainEntity": [ If so, consider replacing it with another longer-blooming variety, such as Enduring Summer, Summerlasting, Zuni, or Sioux.. Use an acid mulch such as pine bark or oak leaves for support. Widely available, they can be found at most any nursery or garden center, and this is a great time to purchase them because you can see exactly what color you're getting. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid-August. Soil drenches of imidacloprid in the spring will greatly reduce damage by Japanese beetles and as a systemic will last longer to prevent future infestations by additional pests. How To Solve Common Crepe Myrtle Problems From Diseases To Pests, Everything You Need To Know About Buttercups, How To Grow A Crepe Myrtle From Cuttings Or Seed, Crepe Murder Is The Souths Worst Gardening Crime, How To Grow And Care For Winter Honeysuckle, How To Grow And Care For Crocosmia (Coppertips), 12 Large And Medium Crepe Myrtle Trees For Big Impact, 8 Mistakes You Should Never Make With Your Hydrangeas, guide to growing crepe myrtles from clippings and seeds. ), all-purpose and slow-release shrub fertilizer to your crepe myrtles, Nelson Plant FoodCrape Myrtle & All Flowering Trees, Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden, Why are my Crepe Myrtle Leaves Curling [5 Reasons], 3 Reasons for White Spots on Rosemary [Actionable Solutions], 5 Reasons Why The Orange Leaves Are Curling [How To Treat], Why Are The Leaves on Schefflera Turning Brown [Solution], 7 Best Fertilizer for Bougainvillea 2023 [Reviews & Guide], Why My Ice Plant Not Blooming: 6 Reason and Effective Solutions, Why Is Rattlesnake Plant Drooping? Winter reveals their exfoliating bark, which makes their naturally sculpted trunks look like living works of art. What It Does: Because the sooty mold fungus feeds off insect secretions and not the plant itself, if you rub a leaf covered in sooty mold youll generally find a green and healthy leaf underneath. We like to visit retirement and long-term care homes and other community events to dance for their entertainment and our well-being, as a Club and as a person! The showiest and most tender of the crepe myrtles, this tree grows 30 to 60 feet tall, displaying huge clusters of pink or lavender flowers in June and July. The Acoma crape myrtle is an attractive flowering shrub-like tree with white crinkled flowers. The following morning looks just like the previous one. It impressed very few people, though, because it refused to bloom. Black spots begin appearing on the leaves in midsummer Crape myrtle leaves falling off in the summertime is usually an indication of a fungal disease. This fungal infection typically occurs when water drops sit on the leaves of a plant, shrub, or tree during humid and hot conditions with little to no airflow. In the early stages, a few branches may start to decline and drop leaves. Adding bone meal for an instant dose of phosphorus. The appealing leaves on crape myrtle shrubs are dark green in summer before turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall. At 30 feet tall (twice the mature height written on the tag), the tree is too big to spray with a preventative fungicide. Prevention, Treatment & Control: Aphids are susceptible to insecticides like insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils. Your crepe myrtle with yellow leaves may have fallen victim to Cercospora leaf spot. What Causes It: Powdery mildew thrives where cool nights follow warm days. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways! Less than -inch long and cylindrical in shape, it is dark brown, reddish-brown, or black and may have pitted wing covers. If you are a coffee drinker, regularly sprinkle coffee grinds around the base of your crepe myrtle trees to slowly lower the ph of the soil. These shrubs can grow in partial shade; however, youll notice that they produce fewer flower clusters. Crape myrtle shrubs flower in summer, turning the large bushes into colorful floral displays that attract birds and pollinators. What's going on here? Since the Club is comprised of three square dance levels Basics, Mainstream and Plus we take turns for the teach part of the evening, and then dance to ensure we have knowledge of the new moves. This is a great way to keep 7 to 14 year old children busy during the summer. They can cause stunted growth and reduce the size and quantity of flowers. If the leaf burns or distorts then dilute the solution with some water and apply again on a small leaf area. What They Are: Crape myrtle aphids are a soft bodied insect that is pale yellowish-green in color with black spots on the abdomen. Crape myrtle bushes need at least six hours of sunshine daily to bloom profusely. You have permission to edit this article. I hope this article helped you solve this red leaf situation on your crepe myrtles. Keep your plant well-nourished with nutrients. If your crepe myrtle is already infected, treat the shrub or tree with a copper-based fungicide. As it progresses, whole branches start to die. Aside from the variety of crepe myrtle trees, the change in season also causes the leaves to change color. It's best to have an unobstructed space, such as a driveway or fence line, to plant these trees because it receives sunlight while not competing for space. Blooming in mid to late summer, they create a brilliant display in the landscape. Second, I planted it beside my front porch a fatal mistake. It's much easier to detect the beetle's presence than the insect itself. The multi-stemmed shrub has smooth cinnamon-colored bark, adding to its winter interest. When planted in small yards or near the house, they may quickly outgrow their welcome, resulting in a winter-spring pruning ritual known as crepe murder, in which innocent trees are chopped back into ugly, knuckled trunks. However, in USDA zones 5 and 6, the shrub has a significantly shorter height. Cercospora leaf spot spreads in humid and wet conditions. The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist. It is a fungal disease. Well-draining soil like clay, silt, or loam, Use of slightly acidic soil thats nutrient-rich as well, Grow zones include USDA plant hardiness zones 7 to 9, Give at least one inch of water weekly, and slightly more when the weathers hot. The Swinging Swallows Square Dance Club is a registered not-for-profit Ottawa Valley organization. You can also plant Chickasaw crape myrtles in rock gardens to add bright pink summer colors. { Insufficient sunlight and poor air circulation encourage development. Leaf spot is the most common It showers flowers on the steps for weeks and weeks too. I blow off the leaves each morning, because if I don't, they get tracked all over the house. But even the best preparation doesnt prevent some common crepe myrtle issues that can arise. Pages on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Pictures of these shrubby plants and descriptions of their flowers, bark, and foliage will help to pick the ideal crape myrtle bush for your front or backyard. In the fall, the leaves turn a vivid red-orange. After initial growth, you don't want to over-water these plants, which can be reasonably drought-resistant, as long as it sees water about once every other week. Powdery mildew is a fungus that grows on leaves, preventing new growth and damaging leaves. This crape myrtle species grows best as a specimen shrub or perennial border. We Southerners share certain memoriesthe smell of a freshly mowed lawn, the high-pitched cry of cicadas on sweltering days, the juicy taste of sweet watermelon, and the vision of huge crepe myrtles bent low by the weight of their blooms. Crape myrtle plants bloom for three or four months until the fall. On medium and tall types, prune to a tree form. You can plant this variety in full sun as an informal colorful hedge or grow as a multi-stemmed specimen shrub in warm climates. This black mold can be completely cover foliage branches and trunks. The Tuscarora Crape Myrtle is a variety that produces clusters of dark pink flowers. If you live in areas that are consistently wet and humid from midsummer to fall, plant varieties that are found to be more resistant to the leaf spot damage caused by the fungus Cercospora lythracearum such as Tonto, Catawba, Sioux, or Tuskegee. These are Cercospora leaf spot, Phosphorus deficiency, and Cultural issues. Catawba crape myrtles grow between 10 and 15 ft (3 4.5 m) tall. Water Requirements. Crepe myrtle likes a medium amount of water and prefers consistently moist soils where it can get it. However, once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and will subsist on a deep watering to a depth of 6 inches or so once or twice per month. Until the plant is established, however, keep its soil consistently moist. You will see some crape myrtles showing few symptoms, these are resistant cultivars. You can also plant multiple small or dwarf shrubs in a row to create a flowering privacy hedge. Crape myrtle cultivars vary in how susceptible to this disease they are. Hatching females mate before leaving the tree to infest a new host. The tree has an attractive trunk pattern: Smooth gray or light brown bark peels off to reveal reddish brown inner bark. For prevention, thoroughly spray trunks of susceptible plants nearby with diazinon, endosulfan (Thiodan), or chlorpyrifos (Dursban). Treat your crepe myrtles with the best copper-based fungicide (Our Pick: Bonide Copper Fungicide). The Natchez is also one of the tallest crape myrtles reaching between 20 to 30 ft. Like other crape myrtles, the Natchez is very hardy and exhibits a high mildew resistance. Were planning and looking forward to the next Boys and Girls Club dinner/dance. The issue generally arises after it rains or when the plant is overwatered. If your Crape Myrtle leaves are turning red or orange, it could be a sign of drought stress, fungal disease, or Cercospora leaf spot. While using these homemade recipes be sure to try them on a small area first. Some crape myrtles have been infected with Cercospora leaf spot due to the recent increase in rainfall. Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while they're still green, ruining the show. WebLeaves steal the show in autumn, turning gold, orange, red and deep mahogany before falling off to reveal beautiful mottled or peeling cinnamon, tan or gray bark. We have a party night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. The dense leafy foliage is a dark green that turns deep red in the fall. Should I Worry if My Crepe Myrtles Leaves are Changing Color Stop fertilizing about eight weeks before the first frost. The best time to plant crape myrtle shrubs is in early spring or the fall. Even the Burgundy Cotton crepe myrtle has green-burgundy leaves during summer. Pruning crape myrtle bushes helps encourage new growth, improve its appearance, and remove dead branches. 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