A few crape myrtles

I'm quite fond of crape myrtle as bonsai, and have about a dozen of them in various stages of construction.

Herewith a few of them in at least advanced stages of construction:

1. 'Acoma' -- white flowers if I let it bloom, which I seldom do. 11 inches tall from the pot.



2. Yardadori -- Pink flowers. 7 inches from pot.



3. A couple of minis - 4 inches from pot and 5 inches from pot. From cuttings.



4. My oldest. Collected in 1990 from a roadside , styled by road department. 11 inches from pot.
Flowers are typical fuchsia.



5. 'Cherry Dazzle' -- flowers bright red. 9 inches from pot rim.



6. Another yardadori. Flowers assumed to be fuchsia.



7. A tall mini. (Pot is 2 inches square.)



Comments (and catcalls) welcomed.

They all look great to my eye . I have one that is 3 years old , that I grew from seed . The trunk is not as fat as yours are . I keep mine inside in winter .

Jim, love the crape myrtles, they are definitely looking good. I have always loved the trunk texture on them as they mature.

I like them. I think Crape Myrtles are interesting look at with their naturally, crazy branch structure. And yes the flaky bark and smooth underneath. Nice

Thanks for posting, Jim...they are all quite lovely....have you ever worked with red-leaved cultivars, particulary 'pink velour' ? My recent acquisition has not flowered yet....hopefully it will and I will be able to identify it. Thanks.....
Tom

I have few identifiable cultivars -- 'Acoma' and 'Cherry Dazzle.' The rest are rescues from N. Fla or here. But many crape myrtle have a red tinge to the leaves and petioles.

I look forward to seeing the flowers on yours.

For Me is not easy to work with Myrtles because the leaf in summer turn brown or black. And the next year be become weak
Some advice or care with this kind of tree?
sorry my english and many thanks

Try a fungicide like the kind you'd treat roses with for black spot and mildew. The old indica varieties can have a hard time with it.

JIM,, They all look great to me !! you have really good luck ,know how,, growing these trees.. i have one i am trying to work with.. question please, when the rough bark peels off do they grow it back or not ??? good trees take care john

The bark never gets "rough." Once a year (summer) it will flake off in sheets, leaving smooth, light colored, new bark exposed underneath. That's one of the times they're most attractive.