crape myrtle

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Victor') should be watered deeply during the summer months. This allows the plant to develop strong and deep roots, which will help sustain it during periods of drought. This plant prefers moist but not soggy soil; check for soil moisture 1-2inches below the surface prior to watering. During hot summer months, water twice a week for 30 minutes each time. During cooler months, water once a week for 30 minutes. Make sure the water reaches the root zone in order to avoid root rot or other waterborne diseases. During periods of extreme heat or drought, supplement the normal waterings by misting the foliage with water.

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Victor') is a deciduous tree or shrub that is hardy in zones 7-9 and does best in full sun. Sunlight is absolutely essential for crape myrtles to grow and thrive. They will need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal health. If the crape myrtle is in a location that receives less than 6 hours of direct sunlight, then it may struggle to thrive or its growth may be stunted. It is also important to make sure that the crape myrtle is getting full sun rather than partial shade, as this will not provide enough light for the tree to grow properly. The best time of day for crape myrtles to receive direct sunlight is between 10 am and 4pm, when the sun is at its highest and most intense.

The best time to prune Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Victor') is late winter. At this time, any damaged or dead branches can be removed and you can cut off any suckers or suckering branches at the base of the tree. If you need to reduce the size of a Crape Myrtle, prune no more than 1 third of the branches. Be sure to prune evenly in order to maintain a balanced shape. For Crape Myrtles, strategically pruning the tallest branches will give the tree a pleasing, windswept look. For standard sized Crape Myrtles, prune branches up to 4 or 5 feet from the top of the trunk. For dwarf Crape Myrtles, prune branches up to 2 or 3 feet. In addition, if you notice that the flowers are not blooming or are light in color, prune the top 2 or 3 branches to encourage new flowering growth for the next season.