my crepe myrtle won't bloom, help!

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by mardow

I have a beautiful Natchez crepe myrtle. This is its second year. I bought it from a nursery and they planted it. It has grown well and looks healthy. Last year it had many large clusters of buds, but the buds didn't open. I thought maybe this was just because it was the first year.
It is now mid-August and again I have the same problem. Large clusters of buds but not blooming. The ones I planted this year on either side of it are blooming. Does anyone have an answer?

I have a Natchez with about 1 3/4" caliper size that has been in for 7 years. It is in the lawn and has full sun until about 2:00PM. It has not been an impressive bloomer. I hear that the Natchez may take a little longer to establish and display great blooms.
It bloomed in August this year and last year.
I lightly fertilized it up to the last two years. The growth this year tells me that I will not fertilize again.

In 2007 we had an Easter freeze that stunted the last 6 to 12 inches of the branches. I believe it has recovered, as it put on about 3 to 4 FEET of new growth over the past summer.

[happybottom]

I have a CM that is full of buds, however, few actually open. This is the third year in a row that this has happened. Apparently, there are others experiencing this. What's wrong with them ~ there has to be an answer. Two years ago I slightly pruned the tree since it supposedly blooms on new growth. Result: few blooms. Last year I did not prune at all. Result: few blooms.

[Meyerland]

Are you using a fertilizer for crepes?

[Lost Roses]

This older article from Southern Living magazine may have some answers for you.

Crepe Myrtle — Your Questions Answered | Your Hub for Southern Culture