Big Timber News

Question by GrumpyCamper: I planted two Tonto Crape Myrtles against the same fence and one looks like it is dying. Why?
I planted two Tonto Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tonto’) about six feet apart against a fence (about a foot away from the fence) one week ago. They both get full sun. The soil where they are planted is pitched a little toward the plant that looks bad, so I think it gets more water than the one that looks good. The good plant’s leaves are turning burgundy as they are supposed to in the fall. The other plant’s leaves literally went from green to a pile of dried up leaves on the ground within a day or two. I did have to break up a stump underground where this tree was planted, but was pretty thorough in breaking the stump up. Why would one plant be doing well and another identical plant die in almost identical environments? They both started out looking good.

Best answer:

Answer by meanolmaw
the decomposition of the underground stump is taking the nitrogen out of the soil…. and that soil , where the tree was, is already depleted of nutrient from the tree having been there…. it’s starving…. you might save it if you can relocate it and give it a good start in soil that is amended with some compost and no leftover trees…..

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Question by Christopher D: How can I eliminate the mildew on my Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) plant and keep it from comming back ?

Best answer:

Answer by cswint2000
I have that problem too. I use a 3-in-one spray that you use in a pump tank. It’s a fungicide/insecticide/miticide. Just make sure you spray according to the directions. I think it’s every two weeks.

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