Crape myrtle shrubs are extremely prized for his or her fabulous aromatic flowers, beautiful leaves, and delightful bark. The best solution to get extra crape myrtles is to propagate them utilizing semi-hardwood cuttings. On this article, we’ll clarify easy methods to develop crape myrtles from cuttings.
How Do You Propagate Crape Myrtles?
Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) are versatile deciduous shrubs that may be propagated in a number of methods. The best solution to propagate crape myrtles is thru semi-hardwood cuttings. Crape myrtles will also be propagated utilizing seeds or root cuttings. Crape myrtle seeds and root cuttings must be sown and planted through the spring.
When to Take Crape Myrtle Cuttings
Semi-hardwood crape myrtle cuttings must be taken through the summer season. The very best time is between June and August. Cuttings must be taken from new development that has developed all through spring and early summer season.
Semi-hardwood cuttings are stems that aren’t but absolutely mature. These stems are nonetheless transitioning from softwood to woody stems. Semi-hardwood cuttings really feel fairly agency however retain some flexibility. Semi-hardwood cuttings can snap simply when bent too far.
How Lengthy Do Crape Myrtles Cuttings Take to Develop?
As soon as crape myrtle cuttings have been potted up, they take 3 to 4 weeks to develop roots. Some cuttings might take as much as 6 weeks to root. As soon as the slicing has rooted, it may be planted outdoors or moved to a bigger pot.
The best way to Take Crape Myrtle Cuttings
Take crape myrtle cuttings from new development through the summer season. All the time use sharp, sterile instruments to reap crape myrtle cuttings. This limits the unfold of ailments that might infect the primary plant or the cuttings. Right here’s a fast information detailing easy methods to take and put together crape myrtle cuttings:
- Look at your crape myrtle for wholesome new development.
- Choose stems which have loads of leaves and not less than 4 leaf nodes. Don’t take cuttings which have flower buds or opened flowers.
- Lower the chosen stem on the level the place it joins one other department. Goal for cuttings which can be roughly 6 to eight inches lengthy.
- Take away the decrease leaves however retain two or three leaves close to the highest of the slicing.
- Dip the top of the slicing in some rooting hormone. This step isn’t strictly obligatory, however it might pace up the rooting course of.
- Place every slicing right into a 6-inch pot stuffed with a well-draining mixture of compost and perlite. Alternatively, place a number of cuttings in a big pot, leaving about 6 inches of house between cuttings. All the time water the rising medium earlier than including the cuttings.
The best way to Develop Crape Myrtle from Cuttings
When you’ve harvested your crape myrtle cuttings, it’s time to nurture them till they root. Place your crape myrtle cuttings someplace that gives vivid, oblique gentle. A windowsill is right.
Guarantee that the soil stays moist always via misting or bottom-watering. Water at any time when the highest inch of the rising medium feels dry. Enhance humidity by inserting a transparent plastic bag over the pot.
After three to 4 weeks, take away the plastic bag to check whether or not the slicing has rooted. Gently pinch the stem and pull it barely. Should you really feel resistance, then the slicing has rooted. Now you can transfer the slicing to a bigger pot to develop on. Alternatively, keep the slicing for 2 extra weeks earlier than planting it outdoors.
Plant crape myrtle cuttings outdoors within the fall. Select a website that receives full solar through the morning and supplies well-draining soil. Water the slicing as soon as every week for the primary couple of years to assist it set up a powerful root system. As soon as established, it’s additionally value fertilizing crape myrtles in spring and infrequently all through the season.
Rising Crape Myrtle from Cuttings FAQs
Can You Begin a Crape Myrtle from a Reducing?
Crape myrtles might be began simply from semi-hardwood cuttings. Take these cuttings through the summer season from new development that doesn’t have any flowers.
Can You Root a Crape Myrtle Reducing in Water?
Crape myrtle cuttings have to be positioned in soil, not water. Water gained’t present sufficient vitamins for the slicing to develop roots.
How Lengthy Does it Take for Crape Myrtles to Develop from Cuttings?
Crape myrtle cuttings take between 3 and 6 weeks to develop roots. The cuttings can then be potted on or planted outdoors.
Wrapping Up
It’s straightforward to propagate crape myrtles utilizing semi-hardwood cuttings. Take cuttings in the summertime from new development. Select cuttings which can be roughly 6 to eight inches lengthy. The cuttings ought to develop roots inside 3 to six weeks. You’ll be able to then transfer your crape myrtle cuttings to a much bigger pot or plant them straight outdoors.
For extra, see our in-depth guides to crape myrtle deer resistance and whether or not crape myrtles are poisonous to people and animals.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener residing in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Inventive and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s enthusiastic about nature and sustainability with a concentrate on gardening and wildlife.
