We were so glad to have a few rain falls this past week here in our Georgia Gardens. With heavy rain fall from quick pop-up storms, comes trouble. Here you see what happen to one of my smaller Crepe Myrtles. Miss Myrtle is doing her rendition of the Splits. Poor thing does not look happy. I have no idea what to do for her. The Saint and I were talking this over and we are thinking of taking some twine and trying to tie her back into place. Before we try this, does anyone else have any suggestions as to what we should do for her? She was planted in this spot by the previous homeowners. She had never been allowed to shine as her growth had been stunted by being under shade trees. A few diseased trees came down and a few years ago, she began to show off for us. Click HERE to see and hear her story if you missed it. I don't want to commit Myrtle Murder and I would hate to loose this little lady. Any suggestions for helping this beauty would be greatly welcome. MISS MYRTLE NEEDS A LIFT, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,In the Garden
Myrtle murder?! Gasp!
ReplyDeleteI have NO idea what to do....maybe a stake in the middle so as not to stress one or the other branch?
What I might do in this situation is prune it back quite hard so it will grow back more compactly. However it's a risk - you may be committing myrtle manslaughter!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I would do is tie it to a stake or another tree. You can put the twine thru a piece of garden hose and it will be soft around the tree. I wouldn't risk cutting her until she stood, she's just too pretty. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to see you accused of myrtlecide, Skeeter:) I have no idea what to do, but surely one of your readers will have a good suggestion. I'd hate to lose this lovely tree, too.
ReplyDeleteCan you get tree stakes and tie Myrtle up? Well..I know, but it's better than Myrtle Murder. :)
ReplyDeleteActually, we had to tie up our wax myrtle because of a storm, and it worked pretty well.
could you find a piece of flexible pipe that you could cut to size that would hold all the pieces together when wrapped around it?
ReplyDeleteOops, my zone is showing. By myrtle, I thought you meant Vinca minor and was wondering, huh?, how can anyone possibly kill that? From crepes, we don't know in MI! Sorry.
ReplyDeleteGood morning. I think I would for sure tie the trunks together and cut some of the branches off to lighten the load on the trunks. It will grow back and in the meantime hopefully the trunks will get stronger. Lucky you to have rain-none here:(
ReplyDeletePoor little tree. I'd prune it hard and stake the two limbs separately. Too much shade is probably what caused the weakness. After a few years of being on stakes in a sunnier location, it should stand up.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Oh Skeeter, what a dilemma. I agree with Tina. It looks to me that it has so many blooms that it makes for being too heavy. Hopefully you can help it till it's time to trim some.
ReplyDeleteI hope all have a wonderful day.
Cut off top two thirds of foliage and flowers. Bind trunks together high in the remaining foliage. They will support each other and you will have the botton third of foliage and flowers to keep growing and looking pretty.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning everyone. A storm is in our area and I can hear the thunder so I must make this quick...
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your wonderful suggestions. I do think this lady is top heavy and I believe we shall give Mother Natures Garden Evolution’s suggestion a try. We also recently repaired a garden hose so now I have a soft piece of something to put twine through for a softer touch while tying the trunks together. Thanks for that reminder Dawn!
IF only this Myrtle had never been pruned in the first place she may have never had this issue. I really wish people would learn that you do not have to prune these beautiful trees. I think most see them pruned by a business and think they must prune theirs as well. (That is what I thought for years) IMHO, The business is only trying to keep the trees small so their stores can be seen.
Tina, I will try to send some rain your way :-)
Lola, how is that knee?
Okay, more thunder so I had better get off here. I will visit with you all when the weather allows.
Everyone have a Great Day...
Sounds like you are all set with what to do to it so I will just wish you luck with it and tell you that I think, even with splitsville, it is a gorgeous tree!!
ReplyDeleteTry to send some rain this way also. After last year, I should not complain but, just saying, it would be nice to have some rain.
Sounds like you have a lot of great ideas how to fix it. I wouldn't know where to begin -I'd ask Tina :0)
ReplyDeleteAnother warm one here -hope everyone is staying cool.
Hi Jean, Lola, Nina, Skeeter and Tina have a fabulous day! Ciao
It sure is a pretty tree! We don't Crape Myrtles here, wish we could though. Hope you can save her.
ReplyDeleteGood eveing everyone. We missed the rain in our yard today with that nasty morning storm but downtown received about 3 inches! Amazing how close but yet so far...
ReplyDeleteI haved dropped by each of your Blogs to chat so see ya there...
Everyone have a good evening...
We don't have crape myrtle here but I did see it in Missouri when I was there a couple of years ago. What a stunning plant. I hope you are able to give yours a little support.
ReplyDeletePoor Miss Myrtle! She's got quite the support group here, if nothing else. I hope you can save her because she's a beauty.
ReplyDeleteWe have two that look just like yours. If you get any good ideas, let me know. I think I may prune mine back a little. I don't want to commit murder, but they must be pruned or else I think they will split in two. Carla
ReplyDeleteMine does the same thing after a heavy rain. Unfortunately these trees can get quite top heavy when in full bloom.
ReplyDelete