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CRAPEMYRTLE DOES NOT FLOWER WELL
Not Enough Sunlight Crapemyrtles need at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun to flower well
Insufficient Water Crapemyrtles are very drought tolerant once established, but flowering can be enhanced with irrigation during extended dry periods
Powdery Mildew See powdery mildew below
Heavy Nitrogen Applications Trees that are continually fertilized with nitrogen will put on a lot of vegetative growth but may not flower as profusely
Low Fertility Crapemyrtles benefit from an application of a complete fertilizer in early spring to produce enough energy for growth and flower production
Severe Pruning Heavily pruned crapemyrtles will put most of their energy into regrowing limbs and leaves and less energy will go into flower production
Seedling Volunteer Crapemyrtles produce viable seeds which may sprout and grow in the garden; however, seedling trees may not have the same flowering characteristics of the parent plants.

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PLANTS ARE STUNTED AND DO NOT GROW WELL
Planted too deeply Trees should be planted so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. If planted too deeply, the roots will not have enough oxygen for respiration and growth to occur and the tree will slowly decline
Soil is too wet CrapeMyrtles are very adaptable to different soil types, but they do require good drainage for root growth
Soil is too dry Supplimental irrigation during dry periods should provide adequate moisture for normal growth. Adding three to four inches of mulch out to the dripline of the tree will keep the soil from drying out as rapidly
Low Fertility A soil analysis will tell you the soil pH and fertility levels so that deficiencies can be corrected. Your local county extension service may provide this service.
Dwarf Variety There are many varieties of different mature sizes to choose. Select named varieties of crapemyrtles and find out their growth characteristics before purchasing

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LEAVES ARE CURLED AND STUNTED, AND A BLACK MOLD MAY BE PRESENT
ON LEAVES, TWIGS AND BRANCHES
Aphids Encourage beneficial insects such as lady beetles. Wash aphids from plant with a forceful spray of water. Use insecticidal soaps or other environmentally friendly pesticides. Often, a black mold is associated with the feeding of insects such as aphids which secrete honeydew (undigested plant sap). This sticky, sugary solution serves as a food source for the Sooty mold fungus. Sooty mold is not harmful to the plant and will eventually disappear if the aphids are controlled.

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LEAVES ARE EATEN AWAY OR SKELETONIZED (LEAF TISSUE EATEN BETWEEN VEINS)
Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles feed on over 400 species of ornamental trees and shrubs. Their larvae (grubs) are a severe pest of lawns. There are many insecticides labeled for control of this pest. Traps will provide limited use, but do not hang traps on or near plants that the beetles are feeding.
Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae) Other small leaf beetles will sometimes feed on crape myrtles. The larvae and the adults will be found feeding on the leaves. There are many insecticides which will provide control.

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LEAVES AND POSSIBLY FLOWERS ARE COVERED WITH A WHITE, POWDERY SUBSTANCE
Powdery Mildew Select varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew. Thin the canopy of the tree to improved air circulation. Use fungicides labeled for control of powdery mildew when first noticed in late spring and repeat applications according to the label directions.

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LEAVES ARE SPOTTED. LOWER LEAVES SEEM AFFECTED FIRST. TREE MAY DEFOLIATE
Cercospora Leaf Spot This fungus disease may be a problem in late summer and fall during hot, humid weather. Fungicides which contain Thiophanate-methyl may be used to suppress further development of this disease.

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A GRAY-GREEN SCALEY OR LEAFY GROWTH APPEARS ON TRUNKS, BRANCHES, OR TWIGS
Lichen Lichen are an unusual organism consisting of an algae and a fungus that function together (symbiotic). They are harmless to the plant that they are growing upon, but are more prevalent on plants that are not vigorously growing. Lichens need good sunlight to grow and vigorous plants will produce many leaves that will shade the twigs and branches causing the lichen to disappear.
Spanish Moss Spanish moss is a plant that live above the ground (epiphyte). They are not a parasite, and do not harm the plants where they are found other than weighting down the branches and possibly shading out some leaves. If the moss is objectionable, it can be physically removed from the tree.

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