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| I've had a crape myrtle that I've had for a few years now and it survives the winters here in Arlington, VA. But last year the buds didn't pop until a month after the crape myrtles growing in the courtyard. I actually thought it was a goner and broke off some 'nice to have' twigs trying to see if it was still alive.
My question is, is there any change that this might prefer a winter by the window instead of cold induced dormancy? I know further south these are evergreens. Is deciduous optional? I have ficus and a bay leaf tree that do just fine indoors although they are much happier outdoors once frost season is over. Thanks,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Just about nothing that grows in temperate areas and normally needs cold dormancy will do well, let alone better, indoors. Just because something lives in a place that gets hot during the day a lot of the year doesn't mean it will live indoors for any length of time because there's a lot more to it all than just the temperature. Also, next time you want to know if something's alive or not, make a firm little scratch halfway up the trunk and if it's green under the bark, it's alive... otherwise it isn't (though that's not always true for conifers). Ficus and bay are native to the tropics, so can be kept inside under appropriate conditions. |
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| Larke is correct, if a tree is naturally meant to have a dormant period than it will need one to survive indefinitely. While it might survive a few years indoors it will eventually become sickly and die as it needs this dormant period to sleep and regather itself. As far surviving the winter/dormant period better there are a few ways you can "winter care" them better if you own a species that naturally live in a fairer zone than that which you live in. One of the best ways is to find an unheated area such as a garage to store it in over winter after all the leaves have dropped and the first frost have come. More preferably would be a place like an unheated crawl space or basement where the temperature stays below fifty degrees. I live in zone 5 and I have a bonsai club member who owns a Crape myrtle and she keeps it in her unheated basement overwinter and has been doing so for years with no problems. I am also trying my luck with one this year so hears hoping. |
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