What's best way to propragate crepe myrtles?

Question

I have a beauty I want to share...it's in a flowerbed with rock mulch. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Answer 1

After the crepe myrtle blooms, berries about the size of peas will develop in clusters.  Wait until they turn brown and you should find the seeds (brownish or black)inside the berries about 4-6 seeds per berry.  Press these seeds into moist but not soggy potting soil in a regular pot and cover them lightly with soil.  Place a thin layer of milled sphagnum moss to keep down disease.  Place the pot inside a plastic bag and seal it and keep the temperature around 75 degrees F.  Germination occurs in about 2 weeks or less.  When the seedlings germinate take the pot out of the bag and keep it under a 40 watt flourescent shop light about 8 inches above.  When the seedlings have their second set of true leaves they can be gently picked out of the pot and potted up separately.  Acclimate them outdoors in a safe place free from direct sunlight, wind, rain and extremes in temps for about 10 days and then you may plant them in direct sunlight.

If you wish to use cuttings take green softwood cuttings about 8 inches long that have no flowers on them.  Make the cuttings where the green twig meets the main branch.  Use a sharp knife not scissors.  Strip all of the leaves off of the cuttings except the last two or three.  Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone which can be purchased at a good nursery.  Stick the cutting into a pot with wet sand or moist soilless potting mix about an inch deep and seal inside a plastic bag.  Rooting will take place in 4-8 weeks and you can check by gently probing around the cutting with a pencil.  When there is a good root system pot up separately.  I hope this helps.;)

Answer 2

Seed easiest.  Cuttings best if you want a plant like you have.  This is called a clone.

Answer 3

Randy is right about the seeds may not give you a plant like the one you love.... if it's a hybrid crepe, it's not going to... since you have rock mulch down, less likely you'd get a volunteer, either.... your best bet then is cuttings..... don't take them from a stem with a bloom on it... find one that is new enuff to not have bloom or buds.....rooting homone is good if you are sure to use the least bit necessary... too much causes the cutting to rot.... I like the rooting solutions better.. especially willow water!!.... when you pot up the cutting, put it in the same area as the main plant...under it even... so conditions are close to the same as it was growing on the plant.... keep the soil moist and don't fret if the leaves fall off it... if the cutting 'takes' new leaves will replace them... it's only a failure if the whole stem turns black... take a good number of cuttings... not all will start and that will give you better odds....... good luck!...

Answer 4

Crape myrtle propagation is by seed, cuttings or volunteer seedlings. Crape myrtle cuttings are easy and quick to root when taken from half-ripe wood in late summer.

See source for more info

Answer 5

I have them coming up volunteer, both from dropped seeds and from the roots of the original.  I am potting a few to give away.