The crape myrtle is a great option for planting in urban or suburban environments. Its small size makes it ideal for gardens or lawns, or it can be used as part of a commercial landscaping plan. Before planting, make sure that the full grown tree won’t cause issues on the property since the tree cannot be topped. You cannot cut off the top of the tree to control the height; that will kill the tree (“crape murder,” as it’s known). In addition, this cultivar demonstrates greater resistance to powdery mildew—a frequent problem with some crape myrtle trees. Described as having a medium rate of growth, you’ll have plenty of time to watch these trees mature. The Acoma crepe myrtle will thrive with only occasional pruning of its lower branches.
Light
Full sun is necessary for crape myrtle to bloom to its full potential. These plants are known for their beautiful blooms, and to make the most of the flowering display, ensure that your crape myrtle receives at least six hours of sun each day.
Soil
The crape myrtle is adaptable to varying soil conditions—including loam, clay, or sandy soils, as long as the ground is well-draining. When it comes to soil pH, these plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH levels, but they can grow in slightly alkaline soils as well.
Water
When first planted, the crape myrtle will need regular watering as it gets established. However, once mature, these plants have modest water needs and do well with about an inch of water per week. They have proven to be relatively drought-resistant, but keep in mind that a lack of water during bloom season may result in a less showy display. If possible, supplement rainfall with regular watering if you experience an extended period of dry weather and you don’t want to see your flower production impacted.
Temperature and Humidity
Like other crape myrtle varieties that thrive in the sun and heat, the Acoma crape myrtle does well even in hot climates, and it has a tolerance for humidity or drought. On the other end of the spectrum, it is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, and can generally withstand temperatures down to about zero degrees Fahrenheit successfully.
Fertilizer
For the best blooms, you may need to fertilize your crape myrtle. While these plants are adaptable to even low nutrient soil conditions, they do require sufficient nitrogen to support bloom production. If you have soil that is lacking, then you might consider fertilizing your Acoma crape myrtle with a balanced formula—like an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. The fertilizer can be applied at the start of the growing season and should be distributed immediately after rain or watered sufficiently afterward. While the right amount of fertilizer can bring out the best in your crape myrtle, too much can have an adverse effect. Be cautious that you don’t supply too many nutrients—doing so can lead to foliage overgrowth and reduced blossoms.
Pruning
Keep your Acoma crape myrtle in good form with light pruning; this is best done in the spring before the lush foliage fills the branches. Since this hybrid variety is known for having a petite form, it won’t need extensive pruning to retain its height, but you may want to clean up low branches on the tree to show off the attractive red-and-white smooth bark. You can spur the tree on to increased branching by pinching off new growth, which will encourage your crape myrtle to grow fuller and bushier rather than taller. In addition, remove spent blossoms to support further flowering.
Propagating Acoma Crape Myrtle
The most successful way of propagating Acoma crape myrtle is by cuttings. You can either use soft or hardwood cuttings, in addition to root cuttings. Follow these steps to propagate with cuttings:
How to Grow Acoma Crape Myrtle From Seed
Crepe myrtle seed pods are about the size of a marble and should be drying out well on the tree by autumn. Collect them by simply squeezing the seeds out of the pods. Collect them in a glass jar and tuck them away in a cool, dry place for the winter months. In the spring, choose quart-size pots and fill them with a blend of potting soil and seed-starting mix. The soil should be damp but not wet. Sow two seeds in each pot about 1 inch deep. Place the pot in a sunny window and give the seed about three weeks to germinate; a plastic bag over the pot can help to hold in humidity and keep the soil from drying out. Water if the soil appears to be dry. Remove the bag when the seedling is 2 or 3 inches tall. Keep the soil damp over the next four to six weeks, or until the plant is about 1 foot in height. At this point, move the pot outdoors to an area that gets a bit of sun but plenty of afternoon shade. Let it acclimate to the outdoors until mid-summer, when it’s time to plant the sturdy seedling in well-drained soil.
Overwintering
Once a crape myrtle is established, it will overwinter just fine. For smaller trees, take the time to provide a few inches of mulch to protect the roots, taking care to keep the mulch from touching the tree itself. If you are in a very cold climate, you can protect the tree with a staked burlap sack wrapped around the base to provide insulation from snow and sleet.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
While crepe myrtle trees are often subject to powdery mildew, one of the advantages of this hybrid variety is increased resistance to this fungus. However, Acoma trees are still subject to infestation by aphids. While this can produce mold, it isn’t overly threatening or damaging to the tree.
How to Get Acoma Crepe Myrtle to Bloom
All varieties of crepe myrtle want to bloom prolifically, so when one of these lovely plants isn’t offering spots of color, that’s a problem. Crowded branches can be one of the reasons why the tree isn’t showing flowers; to solve this, prune out the longer branches to allow more sunlight to reach those nearer the core of the tree. However, don’t prune too late, in the season, as the tree needs new wood to bloom. The tree needs generous sunlight to bloom properly, so make sure there are no neighboring trees or structures shading it. When a plant is not blooming, it can be tempting to add more fertilizer. This can actually lead to fewer blooms on your crepe myrtle, as the foliage will thrive on the extra nutrients. Too much nitrogen can lead to an overgrowth of leaves, so ensure that the tree gets plenty of phosphorus. Bone meal sprinkled at the base of the tree can help as well.
