Question
I'm in Georgia my crepe mrytle has black on all it's leaves. It just started 2 weeks ago when it started blooming.I have it on my deck in a large pot I want to move it and put in the grown would that be a good idea?

Answer
If the black is sticky this would be a sign that there is an insect called an aphid on the plant. Aphids suck the plant juices from the plant and secretes a substance called honeydew which is high in sugar content. A sooty (black) mold will grow on this honeydew. Control the aphids and the black will go away.

It would be a good idea to transplant the crept myrtle to the ground. Select a place that is sunny and away from the house. Being away from the house will allow the tree to grow full and have more blooms than if it were crowded next to the house. Dig the hole twice the size of the pot and as deep. Plant so that the top of the soil level in the pot is level with the ground soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch (pine straw is good) not piled up on the tree trunk.