Crepe Myrtle Not Blooming in Year 2: Needs Potassium

'Red Dynamite' crepe myrtle (planted last spring) bloomed year 1, not year 2. Healthy, full sun, plenty of rain, no pruning, only starter fertilizer. Why?

Likely Nutrient Imbalance

Starter fertilizer was likely high nitrogen → vegetative growth at expense of flowers. Potassium (K) drives flowering.

Fix for Next Year

• Early spring: Apply high-potassium fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-15, tomato feed, or sulfate of potash).
• Avoid nitrogen-heavy lawn fertilizers near root zone.
• No pruning needed—it blooms on new wood.

One feeding next spring should restore blooms.