Question
QUESTION: I have just moved into a new home in maryland,I planted a crepe myrtle my neighbor gave me she didnt want it and was going to throw it out so i took it and planted it and watered it a good amount every day 15 min steady in am and a sprinkler system gave it a 10 min sprinkle at night.some say thats to much others say every day for a week or 2 but as the 4thday after transplanting the bush is drooping .curling leaves all the flowers shriveled loosing its green colorand the other crepe,there were 2 together an ofset i guess is real brown and dry leaves.I didnt water today to see if that helps but it didnt seem to. PLEASE HURRY with some advice im heartbroken these beautiful bushes/trees are going fast.I feel so stupid I cant figure out what im doing wrong.    thanks,    Linda

ANSWER: Hi Linda, Crepe myrtles love water.  In Florida I would water 3x a week for a month, where you are maybe less as we water sand and you must have soil which would not dry out as fast.  Water around the tree past the tree itself.  You do not want to keep watering the plant itself as it may still be wet and you want the plants roots to reach a little for water.  You could try Super Thrive or Atomic Grow to help stimulate the root system to give it a good start in its new home.  kathy

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QUESTION: Hi cathy thank for the quick response,does 3xs a week mean for a healthy crepe or a newly transplanted that had some roots cut and in now as of this morning dropping half of its leaves ,will it grow its leaves back this year,there is green stems and some pale green leaves 1week after planting do i still water everyfew days or daily til the root take hold om getting different advice from everyone.my neighbor als has a mimosa 4 ft tall she also wants to give us but its stem is very close to the cable wires  container that sticks up,guess they tried  to hid it.problem:the roots may be tangled under or around the wireing and then we have a problem.would cutting a diagonal slit in the trunk ,putting a wedge in that slit,pack soil around it water it til it roots then cut the mimosa down and plant it with the new root system.how long should that take to get enough strong roots to grow on its own.sorry so many questgen but no one can give me these answers.  thanks again  Linda

Answer
Hi again,  There will be leaf drop as you have cut the root and it has to regain some of its roots again.  Still water only 3x a week unless you soil is dry, dig into it a little to make sure.  You will do this for one month.  Then you can go back to your regular schedule.  

You could try to dig straight down first then wait two weeks to let the small roots take hold then after two weeks take out the tree and do the same as the crepe.  It may or may not work, all you can do it try.  This is the way you should have done the crepe.  All said and done it is a strong plant and should survive. Again, suggesting a rooting harmone like Atomic Grow or Super Thrive.   kathy