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How do you grow crepe myrtle from cuttings?

Posted on 11/24/20 at 5:24 pm
Posted by Smell the crawfish
In enemy territory
Member since Nov 2018
1542 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 5:24 pm
I've tried but I haven't had any luck. Is there a certain time of the year you have to cut? Just puzzled. Is there a certain process you have to follow immediately after getting a cutting?
Posted by WPBTiger
Parts Unknown
Member since Nov 2011
31099 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 5:46 pm to
Just go grab some seeds from the tree and plant them. My neighbor has crepe myrtle trees and they are always sprouting up in my garden.
Posted by MoarKilometers
Member since Apr 2015
17969 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 5:58 pm to
quote:

Is there a certain process you have to follow immediately after getting a cutting?

I use a rooting hormone. I grow other plants that justify having an expensive cloning gel, but the powdered varieties available at box stores should suffice. The medium you plant them in needs to stay moist, but not drenched. Best 2 tips I have for you.
Posted by lazy
Member since Jun 2020
1594 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 7:30 pm to
All of the above. Take the cuttings in the spring. I buy water in 1 liter clear plastic bottles and cut the bottoms off. Set that over your cutting after you plant it in rooting medium such as topsoil. The bottle is like a terrarium and holds in moisture. Water your cutting everyday for 2 weeks and keep it in a shady place, sun will zap it.
Posted by Cracker
in a box
Member since Nov 2009
17718 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 7:41 pm to
LINK

add rooting hormone
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38832 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 8:48 pm to
open up the bark at the end of the cutting
dip in rooting hormone
fill a clear plastic solo cup with fine bark mulch that has been thoroughly dampened

place in a cool dark place overwinter and periodically dampen the mulch medium. By spring you should be able to see the roots thru the cup. Transplant when it’s warm
Posted by MoarKilometers
Member since Apr 2015
17969 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 9:00 pm to
quote:

buy water in 1 liter clear plastic bottles and cut the bottoms off. Set that over your cutting after you plant it in rooting medium such as topsoil. The bottle is like a terrarium and holds in moisture. Water your cutting everyday for 2 weeks and keep it in a shady place, sun will zap it.

Also very good advice. I've definitely seen people use up to 2 liter bottles with success for larger cuttings. Basically your cutting has whatever nutrients/water were in the xylem, above the cut. Btw, 45 degree angle, right below a node. The "terrarium" allows the plant to take in water via the leaves. That's enough to sustain it until roots can form. The rooting hormone is self explanatory... and the light moisture is to encourage roots to develop, to seek out water. Too much moisture will cause damping or other root rot related failure.

Personally I use peat pellets for my cloning. But something with some water retaining ability and good drainage is what you want to start them off in. Would highly recommend not using a soil with added fertilizer either. Light organics may be fine, but new roots are very sensitive to burning.

Also... since you're new to this, do a small handful of cuttings. Perhaps space attempts out every couple weeks as well. Once you get a feel for it, it's easy peasy. Just takes a little practice to get the feel.
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
62817 posts
Posted on 11/24/20 at 10:15 pm to
Every February Tuscaloosa gives out free tree saplings, crepe myrtles always being a choice.
I have a crap ton of little crape myrtles in pots now I have to figure out where to plant them
Posted by BottomlandBrew
Member since Aug 2010
27106 posts
Posted on 11/25/20 at 7:29 am to
quote:

1 liter clear plastic bottles and cut the bottoms off. Set that over your cutting after you plant it in rooting medium such as topsoil. The bottle is like a terrarium and holds in moisture.


The bottle goes over the entire cutting, leaves and all? I will have to try that.
Posted by lazy
Member since Jun 2020
1594 posts
Posted on 11/25/20 at 10:23 am to
quote:

The bottle goes over the entire cutting, leaves and all? I will have to try that.


Yes. And maybe it's a 2 liter size I bought. I plant my cuttings in a 4" pot, I then set that 4" pot onto a 3 gallon pot.... I have a bunch of pots saved from plant purchases... I fill that 3 gallon with about 1" of soil just so when I set the 2 liter bottle over the 4" pot, I can use the layer of dirt to hold the bottle in place. The Main issue you may run in to is mold developing on the cutting which it's a gonner if that happens. So you don't want an airtight seal around the bottle.
Posted by LSUintheNW
At your mom’s house
Member since Aug 2009
35751 posts
Posted on 11/25/20 at 10:47 am to
Before dipping in root hormone take a butter knife and gently scrape off a 1/2" of the outer "skin".

This will give you more surface area for roots to develop.
Posted by Smell the crawfish
In enemy territory
Member since Nov 2018
1542 posts
Posted on 11/25/20 at 11:33 am to
That's pretty cool for the city to do that! I need to see if Mobile does anything like that!
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