Mini crape myrtle blooming

I started this as a cutting in 2002. It went into its first bonsai pot in 2003. This is the first year it has bloomed.

The tree is just under 4 1/2 inches from the pot rim. The pot itself was picked out from a bin filled with tiny pots at the Ueno Green Club some years ago.

Comments welcomed.

Jim that's great.

I've never seen one with blooms where it wasn't let grow wild. How did you manage to keep the blooms tight?

Ed

Lovely, Jim...thanks for sharing...

Regards,
Tom

this is what pretty means.

EdMerc wrote:Jim that's great.

I've never seen one with blooms where it wasn't let grow wild. How did you manage to keep the blooms tight?

Ed

Danged if I know. Some things just happen.

These things grow so wildly anyway, I'm constantly cutting them back -- even the larger ones. These blooms still are "outside the lines" on this little tree.

I'll take another picture when they're all out, but I'm betting it'll look a lot more unkempt then.

Thanks, all.

Beatiful tree

I love it Jim, the pot`s great as well and compliments the tree superbly.

Ian.

Here's the plant the cutting for the little one came from. This one was originally styled by the Department of Transportation roadside mowing machines in Florida. I dug it up in the mid 90s.

It has bloomed several times and as you can see will bloom later this summer. It is behind its "child" because for some reason (probably a hard winter) it was more than 2 months late leaving out his spring.

You can see how unkempt it is as it forms its buds.

Dale Cochoy pot.

Very cool, love the movement in the trunk and the nice tight flowers are a bonus.

JIM,,I have never seen one so small look like a big tree or flower!! you have done some great work with these..makes me want to go get one they are every where up here but i don,t know how hardy they would be in a pot...good work john

Jim,

Both are beautiful crape myrtles!

R

Looks good, Jim!

Thanks, all.

John, they'll do fine with just a little winter protection, I suspect. They're quite tough. Bury the pots in mulch in the coldest part of the winter. Mine freeze solid several times in the winter.

If you buy from a local nursery, you'll get plants that should do OK in your climate with a little protection.

I've got about a dozen of them -- all shohin or smaller.

JIM, There is a landscape nursery 2 miles from my house..i will look there in a day or two.. should they be pruned this time of the year??? i am sure there is one there some where but it will be too tall i am sure....thanks john

Nice! I like your carved hollow trunk; very convincing! Mine leafed out late this Spring, too.
Your mame "baby" and pot are tops!

Thanks. The Department of Transportation was the "inspiration" for the hollow.

John, Look for "Cherry Dazzle." It has very small leaves -- unlike this one.

Beautiful and elegantly Jim.
A blue or white pot will make the flowers stand out more, and the tree placed in the left side when leaning right - giving better balance in the pot.
Morten

i love crape myrtles! yours looks awsome! i have a very small one that i just got but its not nearly as cool.