'ARAPAHO' Crape Myrtle

18 years ago

Dear Forum Members:

I just ordered some 2-3 ft. "ARAPAHO" crape myrtles. I have never seen the blossoms that these trees produce, except on web-sites showing this tree. All the flower pictures show various shades of "red", and, none of the colors are consistant. Some flowers are: magenta-red, pinkish-red, red-red ..(whatever that means), ... etc. so, I still have no real sense of what the true flower color is for this variety.

Can someone post some pictures of these flowers and describe the color. I've been told that if flowers from "Dynamite" and "Arapaho" were placed side by side, the only way that you could tell the difference between these two varieties was by their leaves. "arapaho" has larger, and glossier leaves. Yes, no, maybe?

Also, can flower color be influenced by the soil ph? I also ordered a crape myrtle called: "ROYALTY" - which is supposed to be a deep, violet-purple, and, I was wondering if the color could be made to go bluer/deeper by the addition of some acid producing soil amendments?

Any information would be very helpful. Thanks, Frank DV

Featured Answer

stompede

18 years ago

Crapemyrtles are not affected by pH. That said, read the link below. Dr. Whitcomb who came out with Dynamite and the others, has seen "orange, near blue, and white flowers with yellow pedicels."

Trust me, 'Arapaho' is not as red as Dynamite. The National Arboretum, who introduced 'Arapaho', says the color is "dark magenta to red (RHS 60B)". From my experience, 'Arapaho' does have a unique color, which I would consider magenta-cherry red, but maybe a little paler. Dynamite will be fir-engine red in hot sunny weather. Unmatched in my opinion, even by Red Rocket or 'Cedar Lane'. 'Arapaho' does have a huge advantage though in mildew resistance.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.lacebarkinc.com/crapemyrtle_dev.htm

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Comments (7)

effdeevee
Original Author
18 years ago
stompede, et al. :

You have been very helpful with my crape myrtle questions, and, I thank-you for all your input.

I have looked at all the sites that I could find showing "ARAPAHO", but, couldn't get a true sense of what the color may be like.Every site showed a different color. Your word description pretty much sums it up for me ..... not as red as "DYNAMITE". I just hope it's not too pink. I can't stomach any of the crape myrtle pinks, ..... ditto, azelea/rhododendron pinks/fuchsia/magentas, either.

Are crape myrtles influenced by the cold temperatures, daylength/ etc. in order to set flower buds, and, trigger the flowering mechanism? Must they have a certain number of chill-hours to initiate the flowering cycle? Can a crape myrtle be grown as a houseplant? Must they have a dormant period? I have found NO clue to these questions in any of the articles that I have read about the crape myrtle. Can someone give me some insight?

Thanks ever so much for all your time and help. Frank DV
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jimtnc
18 years ago
This link below pretty much sums up what they look like. I have two Arapaho's, and they are not even close to majenta or anything else other than red. Maybe not the deepest red you've ever seen, but I'll be surprised if you don't like the red color once you get the plant established. They grow fairly quick also, at least mine are...3-4' a year. You might also want to study up on how to prune crapes properly to keep them looking very nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: push here
effdeevee
Original Author
18 years ago
Dear jimtnc:

Thanks for the link. I have seen this site before, and the picture of the flowers does in fact, look red, in general. I'll guess I'll just have to wait and see what color flowers this tree makes, ... and then I'll know, first hand, if I keep the trees or give them away.

Thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated. Frank DV
xenamissy
17 years ago
Dear Members,

I purchased this Crape last spring, it never produced any blooms. I called the nursery and they told me to give it time and it would produce this summer. I also have another Crape that came with my new house. It bloomed but I was told by the nursery not to prune either one this year. I have no growth as of yet on either. Is this normal and should I have pruned these Crapes?
sgorelik64_yahoo_com_ar
15 years ago
Hello, first , sorry for my mistakes, I'm forein and I don't speak English very well. Last year planted an Arapaho (4-5 f.) and this year , reading and looking information , knew about prune make grow faster, so I pruned (I hope a good prune). I did a correct thing? when do you think my arapaho blomm??, It need special feed?
Thank you in advance your help. Susana
Peter Egeto
8 years ago
so how has everyone been satisfied with the Arapaho plants so far?... :)

I desperately need one, but here in Europe is quite hard to get this specific variety . at least i haven't found anything even online so far

Peter