Lagerstroemia MACROCARPA

Lagerstroemia MACROCARPA - Large-fruited crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia macrocarpa, Crape myrtle.

Lagerstroemia is a genus of deciduous shrubs and trees in the family Lythraceae, comprising about 50 species originating from South and Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania.

Members of the genus are valued for showy paniculate inflorescences forming at shoot tips and peeling smooth bark. Flowers with ruffled petals of white, pink, violet, and purple are gathered in lush panicles.

Large-fruited crape myrtle is a particularly attractive flowering shrub native to China. During blooming, it becomes covered with large, bright panicles of pink, purple, or white flowers. In cultivation, it is especially popular in warm countries, used in ornamental landscaping of parks, gardens, and avenues.

Seeds are sown before winter into open ground or into boxes under snow, as they require stratification. Seedlings emerge in the spring of the following year and are then transplanted into nursery beds. Plants usually bloom in their second year; initial flowering tends to be modest, and full selection is conducted in the second season.

For spring sowing, seeds are pre-frozen for 30-45 days. After that, they are sown into a loose substrate (peat and sand 1:1), buried to 0.5 cm (0.2 in), and germinated at a temperature of 22-25 °C (72-77 °F). Seedlings appear within 15-25 days. The maximum germination period may exceed 45 days.

After 2 true leaves develop, pricking out is carried out. Seedlings are grown until the following spring, if necessary with overwintering in a cool room.

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A sunny location is required for profuse flowering. The longer the plant is in direct sunlight, the lusher its bloom will be. In the winter period, partial shade is recommended. An important feature is the requirement for stable air humidity around 55-60%, which is achieved by regular morning and evening spraying of foliage.

The shrub is moisture-loving: during the spring-summer period, watering should be generous, reduced in autumn, and almost ceased in winter. However, when overwintering in a cool place (10-12 °C / 50-54 °F), watering is carried out, but with particular caution and only in a warmer room. Settled soft water is used.

Soil must be loose and well-drained. Commercially prepared all-purpose potting soils or a mixture of equal parts peat, sand, and sod soil are used. Drainage made of fine expanded clay or gravel is placed at the bottom of the container. During growth and blooming, feeding is carried out every 2 weeks: first with balanced fertilizers, then with formulas designed for flowering crops.

For the winter, the plant is moved to a cool location. At temperatures below +5 °C (41 °F), most varieties suffer frost damage. Leaves, if remaining, should be removed. Wintering in a warm room leads to loss of ornamental qualities and poor flowering.

Pruning is conducted in autumn after flowering. Shoots are shortened by one third of their length; weak and damaged branches are removed. Crown training is carried out starting at 2 years of age. Such pruning promotes profuse flowering and maintains a compact shrub.