This morning as I looked out my window I noticed a spash of color on my grafted dwarf crepe myrtle. I thought a flower from a nearby bougainvillea had fallen and got caught in its branches. However as I got closer I noticed that a small cluster of flowers had bloomed on the little tree.

I suppose it is just giving me a sample of what it will do later this year.  The flowers are very delicate and don’t last long.  However against the grayish bark & dark green leaves the flowers just about leap off the picture.

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There are times when things just come together perfectly, and I can officially state that I actually had the right pot for the tree for the first time. I spent much of the morning re-wiring and redefining my Crepe Myrtle. I can’t believe the pictures from last January and how far this tree has come.

 Just look how nicely the pot compliments the bark of the tree.  When this tree is leafed out and flowering it will really be something special.  When I repotted the tree I found that the roots had been holding a lot of water.  so with the new soil it should produce a lot of new growth and be much healthier.

Here is a close up of the tree.  This tree is not the easiest tree to wire.  I’m using 1mm wire on branches that are about 1mm thick.  However if I don’t the branches tend to curl up.  I need the branches mid way up the trunk to fill in over the scar.  I should be able to achieve that this year.  I have a feeling the next time I post this tree it will be a finished Bonsai.

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This tree still needs a top, but to do that I need one more thread graft. I’m growing out a branch on the left side to use for the final graft. I’d say by next year at this time this tree should be complete. June 2008

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It really started out with no potential as a bonsai as it was. However grafting changed all that. Apr 2002

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