Question
Ipurchased a 5 gal. Cherokee Crape Myrtle shrub a few weeks ago and since I live in Central Ca. and it's very hot here I decided to wait until fall to plant the shrub. I bought a large container that holds 2cu.ft of soil and moved the shrub into it about a week ago since the container it came in was clearly too small to keep the shrub healthy until fall. The shrub has started to look a little wilted and some of the leaves are turning yellow and dropping off of the plant now. I put quite a few rocks in the bottom of the container to allow for drainage. Now I don't know if I am overwatering or underwatering. Until my drip irrigation is installed I will have to try and keep this plant alive until the fall. There is water in the tray that sits under the large pot but I don't think the roots can reach it yet. I have been watering the shrub from the top until water begins to run into the tray. Appreciate any advice you can give me.

Wanda

Answer
Wanda,

If there is water in the catch tray at the bottom constantly, then you may be over watering the tree. I would recommend watering only twice a week at this time of year. You should also put a lttle granular organic fertilizer in the pot to help to stimulate growth.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen