How to shape the crape myrtle bonsai

Bonsai shaping method

When shaping the bonsai of crape myrtle, the main trunk of the flower is usually thickened by twisting the branches around the root. The method is to wrap the branches growing from the roots along the main trunk and secure them with a rope. After 2 or 3 years of growth, the branches and the main trunk can grow together, thus thickening the main trunk.

In addition, you can also plant several crape myrtle seedlings together, entwine them around each other as they grow, and secure them with ropes to achieve the desired effect.

The side branches of the crape myrtle can be pruned to shape it.

How to trim

To achieve the ideal shape, the crape myrtle needs to be trimmed.

For crape myrtle, a strong pruning can usually be carried out in winter to cut off those dense and leggy branches to keep the plant in a moderate density and the tree shape complete. When the plant grows again in spring, you can pinch off the branches and cut them to an appropriate length to allow them to sprout new branches.

When pruning, you can cut off the branches that affect the viewing experience. After pruning, if inflorescences grow on the branches, you can also cut off the weaker flower branches. After flowering, you can cut off the withered flowers. If pruning is done well, the flowering period of the crape myrtle can be extended.

Other operations

In order to extend the viewing period of the crape myrtle leaves, some old leaves can be removed in early September, but the leaves should be removed in batches.

In addition, in order to make the bark of the crape myrtle appear old and simple, you can cut the bark while it is growing and then apply lime sulfur to make it white. You can also split and break the branches to make it look weathered and old. This method can create a dry bonsai.