Crape myrtles dazzle with summer blooms and fall color—until they don’t. Handybeeman uncovers why your tree’s bare and how to fix it.
Reasons for No Blooms
- Too Much Shade: Needs 6-8 hours of sun—trim nearby trees.
- Bad Pruning: Late cuts (post-March) stunt growth—prune January/February.
- Not Enough Water: Soak roots an hour weekly in drought.
- Soil Imbalance: Too much nitrogen or low phosphorus—test and adjust.
Late blooms might still pop after rain—don’t give up.
Black Fungus Trouble
Sooty mold—a black film—signals pests like aphids or mealybugs. Their honeydew feeds the fungus, dulling your tree. Rinse with 4 oz dish soap in a gallon of water—spray, wait 5 minutes, hose off. Stubborn spots? Brush gently. Bark sheds it naturally over time.
Crape Myrtle Aphids
Tiny (1/16 inch), yellow-green with black spots, these sap-suckers spawn sooty mold. Eggs hatch in spring—check undersides by May. Blast small groups with water; for big infestations, use insecticidal soap (every 4-7 days) or horticultural oil (biweekly at dusk).
Get It Blooming
Sun, timely pruning, water, and pest control revive blooms. Pros at Handybeeman nail it.
Why Handybeeman?
Bloomless crape myrtle? Handybeeman restores its glory. Contact Handybeeman today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When to prune crape myrtles?
January-February—before March growth.
Can I fix sooty mold myself?
Yes—soap rinse works; pros handle pests ($50-$100).
Why no blooms in shade?
Needs 6-8 hours sun—shade starves it.
How much water do they need?
1 hour soak weekly in dry spells.
Bloom with Handybeeman
Get vibrant crape myrtles with Handybeeman’s expertise. Contact Handybeeman today!
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