I live in zone 7. It's fairly mild here, and the summers are hot with random thunderstorms. I need to move my 2, 2-1/2 foot crepe myrtle out of his too small containr into the ground. He needs to be moved now, because he grew more than I thought he would and now he's rootbound. Waiting until fall is not really an option. He's in sandyish brown well drained soil now and he will be moved to clay. Should I dig a big deep hole and fill it with the soil he's used to, since clay does not drain well? I've done a lot of research, I just need a second opinion. by the way, I expect him to reach a height of approx. 10-15 ft.
Texperson2011-07-28T11:48:27Z
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As you know, transplanting a growing crepe myrtle in the middle of summer is putting way too much stress on it. And with bad roots, you will likely kill them.
Wait till fall, it's already rootbound and it's growth cycle is starting to go into fall mode, or dormancy, so they won't grow any more by fall.
When it gets cooler and he looses his leaves, then transplant into a hole about twice as wide and the same depth it is now. Fill the hole with similar soil to what's in his pot now. I have clay and they do fine with it once they get growing again.
Wait till fall, crepes myrtles are great plants and killing them is very sad.
How do you know it's a male? hahaha You should amend the clay with some good compost but also use the soil in the pot. It also helps to loosen the roots a bit and soak with root stimulator, which will have instructions on the bottle. Don't make the hole too deep, you want the root ball to be level with the ground. Although they're drought resistant, they need to be watered fairly often until they become established.
I have not any thought why you lined it in black plastic (or any plastic) if it replaced into no longer freezing exterior. it quite is particular to weaken it somewhat. additionally, fish emulsion isn't a root stimulator. it particularly is a as a rule-nitrogen fertilizer and you mustn't stick to fertilizer to transplants or sprouted seeds. Strike 2. in case you could, run out to a nursery and get a liquid root stimulator. in case you could no longer, you are going to be able to make a house made one with shredded willow timber (smashed twigs are advantageous) by employing permitting them to steep in rainwater for some days. That "tea" is an stunning root hormone. inspite of all this, it may properly proceed to exist. I planted a crape myrtle in my exterior 2 Falls in the past and wrote it off as lifeless after final summer season (by no skill watered it, worst drought twelve months on checklist), yet that su c ker bounced back and is placing on new limbs and leaves now. It replaced into additionally in basic terms 3ft tall, so it sounds like there is wish for yours. in basic terms be greater conscious of what you're doing once you plant new issues. It by no skill hurts to ask for help.