How do I increase blossoms on a crape myrtle?
Last year we planted 2 crape myrtles. Last year both blossomed fairly well. This year both have very few blossoms. The crape myrtles look healthy and get plenty of sun. They did grow at least a foot since last year and possibly need pruning ? So that next year they'll produce more blossoms? Not sure what to do. Thanks.
Answer
Crape myrtle blooms on new growth from the current season. Therefore, the answer to increasing the amount of bloosoms lies in increasing the amount of foliage in the current year.
Feeding the tree as soon as it leafs out with a general fertilizer such as 5-10-5 will promote growth.
Pruning in late winter will help maintain the crape myrtle's shape and increase the amount of foliage. Pinching back the tips of new growth will also increase the amount of foliage, but do not do the pinching if flower buds are present.