Crepe Myrtles - buds, but few blossoms

[Osmigo]

We live near San Antonio, TX, and have 6 Natchez crepe myrtles about 8' tall and wide. Natchez is a variety that grows very large (up to 25') and has white blossoms. They are very healthy, solid green leaves, good soil, water, lots of new growth, etc. They have TONS of green buds, but few blossoms. There may be 5 or 6 blossoms on each shrub, 2 or 3 feet apart. Is this normal for this variety, or is there something we can do to prompt those buds to open up?

 

[Meadowlark]

Could be caused by any number of things but most likely insufficient sunlight...they need full sun. They also respond well to pruning often better blooming with dormant pruning than without because they bloom on new wood. Improper fertilization, i.e. too much nitrogen, watering could also be culprits.

 

[Chuck]

I think all you need is to be patient. You have a lot of buds and they will all open. If you weren't getting enough sunlight the buds would be rather sparse.

 

[Osmigo]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I'm sure the buds will open, but not at once. I see some around town that are just SOLID blossoms, so thick you can barely see the shrub. As far as sun, they get gobs of sun, they are fully exposed.

 

[Meadowlark]

Did you prune them last winter? Pruning stimulates blooms on crepes.

The ones you see with solid blossoms were very likely the result of good pruning last winter. They bloom on new wood and benefit from pruning....sometimes called crepe "murder"

 

[oneeye]

Work the soil around the base of the plant with a cultivator between waterings. If you add a little composted compost to the soil your plant would fare better. Topdress every few months and your plant will bloom again.

 

[cpp gardener]

From what I see in your picture it looks like those ‘buds’ are actually fruit capsules from previously open flowers. If you want more you will have to remove all of those and feed them. If you want to see the difference take a flowered-out stem of yours and hold it next to a blooming branch on another tree.