I live in North west Georgia and we have them every where. I have 3 in my yard and I am going to take some cuttings tomorrow and se if I can propagate them.
I stuck some branches i pruned in a pot on the north side of our central Texas home. It leafed out and 20 years ago i planted them along our driveway. They are 25 feet tall now.
Wow! I just ran across the street, my neighbor has a crepe myrtle that her mother planted five years ago. This plant is 7 feet high and is gorgeous! The mom told me I could have a cutting. Well, I got it today and trimmed it according to Savvy's instructions. I hope you don't have utility wires in the way of your plants. I do in the back of the house.💕
I have one crape myrtle tree which I left on its own and on close inspection while cleaning the area it was in it had taken off by suckered, simular to rambling roses. It's quite old and the original tree has gone, and the new growth has long taken over. I've lifted off, or dug up pieces and transplanted them elsewhere. Beautiful. From New Zealand.
I live up here in far northern California and crape myrtle's are blooming everywhere especially along freeway ramps , nice neighborhoods, parks and businesses... I have one in front yard and one in backyard, I just love them they are so beautiful
I've been looking for a long time on the network for such an illustrative and useful video about propagating this beautiful little trees and I found it, thank you very much.
Thank you for this info. I took some young clippings off my crape myrtle and will be potting them to hopefully get them to grow. The trees were already planted here when we bought this house 20 years ago. They were planted under some tall trees. We’ve never watered or fertilized them. They still grew big. We’ve never cut them back so they are tall! I keep telling my hubby they need to be cut back. Anyways, If the clippings are successful at growing , I may just try sell them. I want one or two in my back yard anyways where its sunny at. I’ve never grown a tree from clippings before so we shall see how it goes. 😁
Just found you and subscribed. Thank you for the clear and down to earth instruction. I'm going to try your method with my crepe myrtles. I have one in front and two in the back. I'm in Charlotte, NC.
All of your videos are very interesting even if we are not a backyard nursery. I always learn something new, thanks for being a great teacher. Have a great weekend!!
I'm so excited! Thank you! I may have missed it but what time of year do I do this process? I'm in North Carolina and it's September. The crepe myrtles are almost finished blooming..
I have parts in my system that I'm not sure I can even find... I've thought about making a video on it, but I'd probably leave viewers with more questions than answers.
Thanks for the informative video! I have a beautiful purple crape myrtle that was almost dead, so I cut it all back to about 5' and figured it would live or I was removing it. Well, it is taking off. I wanted to propagate and found your video. I'll subscribed and I'll be looking for that video for the potting mix - not sure where to get finely ground pine bark.
Thanks a lot for the videos you put out there. At the end of this video the last shot was showing the new growth house/green house behind you, my question for you is what is the material that you put for roof , looks like see through cloth I am wondering to learn what that is and what you call it and where to buy one roll!
Great video and thanks for the information. One question though? Should the cuttings be placed in full sun or in the shade, while waiting for them to take root?
Thanks for the tip on Hisea boots. I checked out the link you posted. I definitely planning on ordering a pair to replace my Hunter boots. I've been looking for a boot as the seam blew a leak. Never heard of Hisea boots. Thank you! Ps, I always enjoy your videos. Thank you 🌱🌱🌱🌺😊
I had never heard of them either. They contacted me and wanted to see if they could send me some boots to try. I really like them... very comfortable! thanks for watching
I had an absolutely gorgeous Crepe Myrtle that resembled the one shown here at 0:12 except that it had only a single trunk and was thicker and taller - picture the perfect tree shape. However, on a moderately windy day, the trunk literally shattered into a million pieces - there were wood shards everywhere, and the tree was totally destroyed. I was shocked and heartbroken.
Pardon an additional question. You mentioned putting them under a mister. I don't have a greenhouse, so what type of environment outside works best in lieu of a greenhouse?
I started some cuttings just about a month ago in Florida. I put them in small pots and put a baggy over them for the greenhouse effect. I see new growth coming now. Can I remove the baggy and leave them now to open air? Thx.
Open the bag up a little for a week, then a little more in another week. Slowly let them acclimate... heavy on the shade, and I think you'll have good results. Good job!
Hi, just a thought, why not dig them out and keep them in a bigger pot as a propagation plant ? And you'll have it right there forever? Put a slab of brick underneath so it doesn't happen again?
What is the purpose of cutting the top leaves? Is it just so it fits better when next to multiple plants in the trays? I plan on just doing a couple and each will have their own pots, can I keep the leaves?
I saw a professional grower doing it that way at a nursery that propagates 10s of thousands a year... that's how they did it... so, that's how I do it.
After they put on their initial flush of Spring growth and start to harden off just a bit - they are ready. That really tender, flimsy new growth won't work. The harder, woody growth from last year won't work either. About 6-8 weeks after you see the first leaves... use that part.
zone 9/9A here . . . crepe myrtles everywhere ! question : why do you not dip the cuttings in rooting hormone ? i have had good luck doing that . right now i'm working with fruit trees . . . japanese plum , fig , mulberry . i have a better than 75% success rate using rooting hormone , maybe even better than 75% . ( trying not to brag here ) . thanks for the upload , i will use this info .
My crape Myrtle snapped off at the base of the trunk today due to high winds. Is there any hope for the root ball in the ground OR the top part of the tree? We stuck the top of the tree in a bucket of water. Thanks for any help you can provide.
I’m having a really hard time with crepe myrtles I’ve gotten maybe 2 to root this year and not much success on anything else. I’m also in Middle Tennessee. I am using a plastic totes with sand and humidity is over 90%.
i've seen other people use root hormone. I know these are cuttings and not roots, but do you get great results without using hormone? And, btw, I am enjoying your video's immensely!!!!
I never use it. Seems like it makes no difference with the plants I propagate and the way I do it. It may help in a different setup with different plants. I'm not gonna mess with a good thing now
I wish you had a hot line so I could call and ask all my questions. Great video! I'm in Zone 7. I have a crape myrtle in my backyard that has tons of babies sprouting up. I want to propagate them now (end of August) I'm wondering if I'm too late and need to wait until next year. If I do propagate now, and don't have a greenhouse, do I leave them outside during the winter? Or bring them inside? Thanks!
Do it! What do you lose by trying? Once they root, just leave them in their trays until winter. When the weather starts cooling, cover them with some type of white covering to extend the growing season as long as you can... should give them time to root and establish well enough to survive winter.
Why are the top leaves clipped? Is it necessary and if I don't, will they still root? I'm a beginner in rooting plants and I'm learning a lot and loving it.
With softwood cuttings, using a longer cutting isn't likely to work. The tip would be too flimsy and green (soft). This method uses green (soft) wood, new growth, but that has hardened off just a bit. Experiment with it. Try some longer ones if you like.
Crape myrtles are beautiful if pruned properly, but ugly if pruned the wrong way. They are fast growing and tough as nails. Be aware that they drop thousands of spent flowers during the bloom season which creates a real mess if planted near sidewalks, pools, etc.
Some dappled sun is ok, just understand there are no roots for the cutting to water itself, so moisture is a must, and moreso if they are getting direct sun.
Can you use the saplings or the pups that’s grow up from the bottom to do this? Also when they start growing will they sprout up multiple little trunks or how does one achieve that? Thank you
Yes, the suckers are good to use for cuttings. Crapemyrtles will develop multiple trunks on their own. That's what all those little suckers coming up each year are try to become.
@@savvydirtfarmer is there a preferred time of year todo this? I live in central Texas so I was thinking I’d tried to bring them inside as we get closer to winter so they get a head start for next year
@@chrismarshall7124 anytime the wood is right, as I mentioned in the video. They have to have a dormant period to survive, so some freezing is necessary.
This is an amazing video. Thank you. I was wondering how long do you leave them in those little pots before you replant them into bigger pots? Thank you!
I committed "crepe murder" in March but they are blooming beautifully so all my cuttings are this year's growth. When is the best time of year to propagate from cuttings?
Look at this year's growth. You want the part that is green but not the most tender part out near the tip. The cuttings in the middle of this year's growth... you can always try the tips as well since you'll have them in your hand. Forget the older brown, woody part.
Great video, My very first tray of crete mtytles are rooting from cutting. How long should I wait to plant them in a pot on there own. These are in a dish tray with drainage holes and in a make clear tote with lid to hold moisture. I just don't want to mess these up. I'm excited to see them grow and be healthy plants that I started. Have a great week from Western, KY
Give them at least 4 weeks before you do anything. Then, gently tug on one that looks good. If it stays put, you've got roots. Then I'd leave them just a bit longer. Shade is critical to those tiny plants and delicate roots. Don't rush them. Keep moisture/humidity up but not sopping wet while they root.
Hey, love the vide, got a question. If you don’t have access to a greenhouse or 50% shaded area etc, would a window in garage work where there is plenty of humidity to get the cutting to root? Thanks
They don't need much, if any, sunlight to root. I would NOT put them in direct sunlight, even through a window... that may actually be really hot. Humidity is your friend. Won't hurt to try.
I am going to try your method. I have one question. Does it matter if the branch has flowers on it? I will try it by just cutting off the blossoms and then do it your way. I will try to remember to let you know how it works. Thank you.
Thank you. I have a situation where I need to kill a Crepe Myrtle. It got too big and blocks the security camera. If you khave one that doesn't need to be moved but is getting too tall is there a method to cut it back that doesn't involve murder?
I don't have the ability to do it with the plants I have, but it's pretty easy. You just take 2 different crape myrtles, they need to be the same size in maturity, and grow them in a pot together. I've seen three varieties together in a single pot, braided together as they grow. I need to try it sometime.
Do I have to use ground pine bark? I don't have any and I don't want to go looking for it. Can't I just use potting soil maybe with things I already have around the house like perlite or peat moss?
It just takes a propagation controller and a simple solenoid valve, both of which can be easily found with many options via google search. I got my mist nozzles from someone else and I NEED to find some new ones. No luck so far.
I did have a question. If we don't have a greenhouse to keep these in, where should we keep them or they won't die? Or we'll just keep in the soil medium wet keep them from dying?
I get mine locally by the semi-truck load. When we didn't need so much, I usually bought it in bags from Lowes. I think 3cu ft bags... sometimes labeled as "pine fines" or "soil conditioner."
You can probably try them as hardwoods in winter. Early Spring is not good since they don't leaf out until later in Spring. Summer is ideal for them as softwoods.
After the Crape Myrtle cuttings have rooted, do you feed them the same as other rooted cuttings with your Jack’s 10-30-20 or do you use a different fertilizer for the Crapes? Also, samr for Green GiantAbrovites?
I use the same Jacks for all the newly rooted cuttings. Green Giants? I usually do them in dishpans, and I just sprinkle some of my slow release fert on them and leave them be. Jacks would be fine on them as well.
Varies by plant, but 4-8 weeks after the plant begins growing in early Spring. While the new growth is green, but not really tender and flimsy, and before it starts turning to hard wood.
@@myforexperts2994 The most flimsy part of the cutting, nearest the tip, probably won't work. But from there down, until the wood turns brown, you can do very well with them!
Even if u yank them up after taking cuttings the ones on the cells will root better than anything because they will still have some root when u yank them. Tossing them would be ridiculous.
Any time they have fresh, new growth on them that has hardened off just a bit. Nothing to lose by trying now, even though it's a bit late in the season.
Are crape myrtles popular in your area? Here in the mid south, zone 7, they definitely are!
I live in North west Georgia and we have them every where. I have 3 in my yard and I am going to take some cuttings tomorrow and se if I can propagate them.
I have 3 Firecracker Red ones. Love the color! I’ll be trying this method.
I’m in SC zone 8
NE Texas we are known for our massive crepe myrtles! They are my favorite
what to do if I cannot provide the mist? put them in a closed plastic bag? how often to open to water then?
I stuck some branches i pruned in a pot on the north side of our central Texas home. It leafed out and 20 years ago i planted them along our driveway. They are 25 feet tall now.
They were old growth cuttings too.
Previous year's growth (hard wood) can also be propagated in the winter months.
Woa.... ..😀😀😀w
Wow! I just ran across the street, my neighbor has a crepe myrtle that her mother planted five years ago. This plant is 7 feet high and is gorgeous! The mom told me I could have a cutting. Well, I got it today and trimmed it according to Savvy's instructions. I hope you don't have utility wires in the way of your plants. I do in the back of the house.💕
i was gifted 2 Black Diamond Crepe Myrtle cuttings today . . . i hope i can make them go !
They very popular in New Jersey too! I had 20 trees in my yard! Love, love, love crape myrtles ❣️ Thanks for this video!
You do a good job at explaining things simply, and to the point. I appreciate that.
thank you - no need to make it harder than it is.
I have one crape myrtle tree which I left on its own and on close inspection while cleaning the area it was in it had taken off by suckered, simular to rambling roses. It's quite old and the original tree has gone, and the new growth has long taken over. I've lifted off, or dug up pieces and transplanted them elsewhere. Beautiful. From New Zealand.
Wonderful!
I just pull off the lower leaves and stick directly in the soil and they'll grow. 100% grow.
Yes, 100%
I live up here in far northern California and crape myrtle's are blooming everywhere especially along freeway ramps , nice neighborhoods, parks and businesses... I have one in front yard and one in backyard, I just love them they are so beautiful
I've been looking for a long time on the network for such an illustrative and useful video about propagating this beautiful little trees and I found it, thank you very much.
Glad to help!
Thank you for this info. I took some young clippings off my crape myrtle and will be potting them to hopefully get them to grow. The trees were already planted here when we bought this house 20 years ago. They were planted under some tall trees. We’ve never watered or fertilized them. They still grew big. We’ve never cut them back so they are tall! I keep telling my hubby they need to be cut back. Anyways, If the clippings are successful at growing , I may just try sell them. I want one or two in my back yard anyways where its sunny at. I’ve never grown a tree from clippings before so we shall see how it goes. 😁
Just found you and subscribed. Thank you for the clear and down to earth instruction. I'm going to try your method with my crepe myrtles. I have one in front and two in the back. I'm in Charlotte, NC.
Awesome! Thank you!
All of your videos are very interesting even if we are not a backyard nursery. I always learn something new, thanks for being a great teacher. Have a great weekend!!
So nice of you, thanks!
DUDE! NICE SET UP.
I'm so excited! Thank you! I may have missed it but what time of year do I do this process? I'm in North Carolina and it's September. The crepe myrtles are almost finished blooming..
I wish you would show us how to set up a misting system. Thanks for the great video's.
I have parts in my system that I'm not sure I can even find... I've thought about making a video on it, but I'd probably leave viewers with more questions than answers.
We just purchased a few of the "Enduring Summer" red crape myrtle. Looking forward to them blooming. :)
Gracias for the info. Now I have to find a red crepe myrtle and get some cuttings. I have lilac color but I'm in love with the red color.
I was about to say the say thing… I might have to pay a visit to local nursery 🤣
.Great video ! 🌿😊🌿 Plants are the best, specially the people behind them 🌿🤩🌿 You got a new sub from Denmark 🌿😊🇩🇰😊.
Thanks and welcome!
Thank you, I love the crape myrtle in my back yard! Can't wait to try this. Anyone know why mine is growing random leaf stems at the bottom?
Crapemyrtles grow suckers if that’s what you mean by “leaf stems.”
Recently started some Crepe Myrtle and Hibiscus hardwood cuttings, placed them in cold frame, and looking forward to new plants come Spring.😃
Thanks for the informative video! I have a beautiful purple crape myrtle that was almost dead, so I cut it all back to about 5' and figured it would live or I was removing it. Well, it is taking off. I wanted to propagate and found your video. I'll subscribed and I'll be looking for that video for the potting mix - not sure where to get finely ground pine bark.
I say that you could dig up the tray stuck in the ground during the winter when the plants are dormant. Then you could up-pot them.
That would probably work. For now, they're still there, but mainly just in the way.
Thanks a lot for the videos you put out there.
At the end of this video the last shot was showing the new growth house/green house behind you, my question for you is what is the material that you put for roof , looks like see through cloth I am wondering to learn what that is and what you call it and where to buy one roll!
Zone 9a yes very popular and beautiful
Great video and thanks for the information. One question though? Should the cuttings be placed in full sun or in the shade, while waiting for them to take root?
Definitely shade... under a tree, under a shade cloth, whatever you can make work. Doesn't need to be 100% shade
Another great video. Thanks
Wow so beautiful planting. Nice choice 🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤
Thanks for such great instructions, just got a new growth cutting from the neighbor.💕
Great way to learn... that's how I propagated my first plant was a crapemyrtle cutting
Nice video, thank you for featuring us!
Thank you!
Thanks for the tip on Hisea boots. I checked out the link you posted. I definitely planning on ordering a pair to replace my Hunter boots. I've been looking for a boot as the seam blew a leak. Never heard of Hisea boots. Thank you! Ps, I always enjoy your videos. Thank you 🌱🌱🌱🌺😊
I had never heard of them either. They contacted me and wanted to see if they could send me some boots to try. I really like them... very comfortable! thanks for watching
Great video, excited to see what this brown thumb can do!!! Thanks!
You got it!
I had an absolutely gorgeous Crepe Myrtle that resembled the one shown here at 0:12 except that it had only a single trunk and was thicker and taller - picture the perfect tree shape.
However, on a moderately windy day, the trunk literally shattered into a million pieces - there were wood shards everywhere, and the tree was totally destroyed. I was shocked and heartbroken.
This was very informative. I’m going to try this instead of trying to start from a seed.
Pardon an additional question. You mentioned putting them under a mister. I don't have a greenhouse, so what type of environment outside works best in lieu of a greenhouse?
I don’t have a greenhouse either. I just build a simple shade covering and put them under it. I just did a video on it.
I started some cuttings just about a month ago in Florida. I put them in small pots and put a baggy over them for the greenhouse effect. I see new growth coming now. Can I remove the baggy and leave them now to open air? Thx.
Open the bag up a little for a week, then a little more in another week. Slowly let them acclimate... heavy on the shade, and I think you'll have good results. Good job!
Thank you for making these easy to follow videos!
sure thing!
Great video - and no need for rooting hormone. 😀
Great video as always! & congratulations on the sponsorship!
Thanks so much!
If you look carefully he was experimenting with trying to propagate his finger tips :D Thanks for the video.
Things happen, ok? 😀
Hi, just a thought, why not dig them out and keep them in a bigger pot as a propagation plant ? And you'll have it right there forever? Put a slab of brick underneath so it doesn't happen again?
That is fine to do that
What is the purpose of cutting the top leaves? Is it just so it fits better when next to multiple plants in the trays?
I plan on just doing a couple and each will have their own pots, can I keep the leaves?
I saw a professional grower doing it that way at a nursery that propagates 10s of thousands a year... that's how they did it... so, that's how I do it.
When is the best time of year to propagate crepe myrtle trees or shrubs? Zone 9b California any help would be perfect. Love your videos. Big fan.
After they put on their initial flush of Spring growth and start to harden off just a bit - they are ready. That really tender, flimsy new growth won't work. The harder, woody growth from last year won't work either. About 6-8 weeks after you see the first leaves... use that part.
zone 9/9A here . . . crepe myrtles everywhere !
question : why do you not dip the cuttings in rooting hormone ? i have had good luck doing that .
right now i'm working with fruit trees . . . japanese plum , fig , mulberry . i have a better than 75% success rate using rooting hormone , maybe even better than 75% . ( trying not to brag here ) . thanks for the upload , i will use this info .
When they root near 100% without it, just seems like one more thing I don’t need to spend money on. Timing matters more than anything else imo
@@savvydirtfarmer thanks for the reply .
Wow thank you! Great info! 🙏
GREAT video! Have you done a video on your misting system, timer, etc? I can't seem to find it...
Not yet!
My crape Myrtle snapped off at the base of the trunk today due to high winds.
Is there any hope for the root ball in the ground OR the top part of the tree?
We stuck the top of the tree in a bucket of water.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Top of the tree is toast. It may start growing again from suckers around the stump.
@@savvydirtfarmer thank you!
We will see what happens to the stump.
I’m having a really hard time with crepe myrtles I’ve gotten maybe 2 to root this year and not much success on anything else. I’m also in Middle Tennessee. I am using a plastic totes with sand and humidity is over 90%.
This month's heat has been brutal... I suspect that may have something to do with it.
i've seen other people use root hormone. I know these are cuttings and not roots, but do you get great results without using hormone? And, btw, I am enjoying your video's immensely!!!!
I never use it. Seems like it makes no difference with the plants I propagate and the way I do it. It may help in a different setup with different plants. I'm not gonna mess with a good thing now
I would say that cutting is easily 5, maybe 6 inches. Very above-average cutting 👍🏻
I wish you had a hot line so I could call and ask all my questions. Great video! I'm in Zone 7. I have a crape myrtle in my backyard that has tons of babies sprouting up. I want to propagate them now (end of August) I'm wondering if I'm too late and need to wait until next year. If I do propagate now, and don't have a greenhouse, do I leave them outside during the winter? Or bring them inside? Thanks!
Do it! What do you lose by trying? Once they root, just leave them in their trays until winter. When the weather starts cooling, cover them with some type of white covering to extend the growing season as long as you can... should give them time to root and establish well enough to survive winter.
I have two that I’ve propagated but it’s starting to get cold and they’ve lost their leaves…what’s the care for them in the chilly season?
Just cover them wish white plastic... it's about all you can do.
Why are the top leaves clipped? Is it necessary and if I don't, will they still root? I'm a beginner in rooting plants and I'm learning a lot and loving it.
With softwood cuttings, using a longer cutting isn't likely to work. The tip would be too flimsy and green (soft). This method uses green (soft) wood, new growth, but that has hardened off just a bit. Experiment with it. Try some longer ones if you like.
Can I propagate in NY in September and keep it indoor until next spring or should I wait until next spring to propagate. Thank you 😊
Very popular in the Charlotte, NC area.
yes!! All around the SE, very popular, for sure
And 50,000 other places
Great video! Doing this today!
tis the season!!
Excellent video. Very informative. How big, in diameter, of a cutting can be used?
Whatever is fresh… diameter won’t matter much
Crape myrtles are beautiful if pruned properly, but ugly if pruned the wrong way. They are fast growing and tough as nails. Be aware that they drop thousands of spent flowers during the bloom season which creates a real mess if planted near sidewalks, pools, etc.
How much do they grow a year?
Do you have to keep the sand wet the whole time? It's OK to have some sun, correct?
Some dappled sun is ok, just understand there are no roots for the cutting to water itself, so moisture is a must, and moreso if they are getting direct sun.
Can you use the saplings or the pups that’s grow up from the bottom to do this? Also when they start growing will they sprout up multiple little trunks or how does one achieve that? Thank you
Yes, the suckers are good to use for cuttings. Crapemyrtles will develop multiple trunks on their own. That's what all those little suckers coming up each year are try to become.
@@savvydirtfarmer is there a preferred time of year todo this? I live in central Texas so I was thinking I’d tried to bring them inside as we get closer to winter so they get a head start for next year
@@chrismarshall7124 anytime the wood is right, as I mentioned in the video. They have to have a dormant period to survive, so some freezing is necessary.
This is an amazing video. Thank you. I was wondering how long do you leave them in those little pots before you replant them into bigger pots? Thank you!
Usually root in the summer and let them sit til next Spring when I pot them up.
@@savvydirtfarmer okay thank you. I'm trying some in France 👍🏼
They seem to be everywhere here in North Florida
I committed "crepe murder" in March but they are blooming beautifully so all my cuttings are this year's growth. When is the best time of year to propagate from cuttings?
Look at this year's growth. You want the part that is green but not the most tender part out near the tip. The cuttings in the middle of this year's growth... you can always try the tips as well since you'll have them in your hand. Forget the older brown, woody part.
Great video, My very first tray of crete mtytles are rooting from cutting. How long should I wait to plant them in a pot on there own. These are in a dish tray with drainage holes and in a make clear tote with lid to hold moisture. I just don't want to mess these up. I'm excited to see them grow and be healthy plants that I started. Have a great week from Western, KY
Give them at least 4 weeks before you do anything. Then, gently tug on one that looks good. If it stays put, you've got roots. Then I'd leave them just a bit longer. Shade is critical to those tiny plants and delicate roots. Don't rush them. Keep moisture/humidity up but not sopping wet while they root.
@@savvydirtfarmer awesome, great to hear from you! Will do
Its been a year now how did your plants do?
Hey, love the vide, got a question. If you don’t have access to a greenhouse or 50% shaded area etc, would a window in garage work where there is plenty of humidity to get the cutting to root? Thanks
They don't need much, if any, sunlight to root. I would NOT put them in direct sunlight, even through a window... that may actually be really hot. Humidity is your friend. Won't hurt to try.
I am going to try your method. I have one question. Does it matter if the branch has flowers on it? I will try it by just cutting off the blossoms and then do it your way. I will try to remember to let you know how it works. Thank you.
Cut the blooms off and proceed as the video shows. Thanks!
Thank you. I have a situation where I need to kill a Crepe Myrtle. It got too big and blocks the security camera. If you khave one that doesn't need to be moved but is getting too tall is there a method to cut it back that doesn't involve murder?
When is the best time of year to take the cuttings in Central Fla.?
When the new growth is hardening off some. Not too green and fresh... not too hard.
I'd like to know how to blend to different crepe myrtle to make 2 colors on one. could you do a video on the 'how to'?
I don't have the ability to do it with the plants I have, but it's pretty easy. You just take 2 different crape myrtles, they need to be the same size in maturity, and grow them in a pot together. I've seen three varieties together in a single pot, braided together as they grow. I need to try it sometime.
@@savvydirtfarmer thank you! I'll try that!!!
Can I just use the longer branch and plant it instead of making little ones?
Never tried... do some both ways and let us know how it works out.
Do I have to use ground pine bark? I don't have any and I don't want to go looking for it. Can't I just use potting soil maybe with things I already have around the house like perlite or peat moss?
Yes, you can use what you have
So no green house effect required?? Like tuba ware and lid ?
I use mist propagation
Can I do this without a mist? Can I just put them on my porch n water them? I'm in Oklahoma zone 7b.
Doesn’t hurt to try … should work
When is the ideal time to take crape myrtle cuttings?
Early to mid summer, before the new growth begins to harden off
What trays do you suggest buying for tree and crape myrtle cuttings or starting? Any that are deeper for tree starters?
I propagate most everything in 50 ct trays... some in 72.
Thanks!
Can you give an update on these? What do they look like now?
Just gave you a quick new video... check it out.
Do you have a video on how you made your misting system?
It just takes a propagation controller and a simple solenoid valve, both of which can be easily found with many options via google search. I got my mist nozzles from someone else and I NEED to find some new ones. No luck so far.
@@savvydirtfarmer thanks for the information
Do you use rooting compound before putting them in the soil?
No.
Excellent thank you
Good information, thank you
I did have a question. If we don't have a greenhouse to keep these in, where should we keep them or they won't die? Or we'll just keep in the soil medium wet keep them from dying?
What do you do over winter and the next year?
I don't do anything. I'll pot them next Spring
How often do you mist them ?
Why do you clip the leaves while trimming up the cutting?
For lack of an actual good answer, that's the way I was taught to do it.
Would one follow these same steps / instructions for propagating spirea plants?
Yes... and pretty much any other woody shrub.
Where do you get the finely ground pine bark?
I get mine locally by the semi-truck load. When we didn't need so much, I usually bought it in bags from Lowes. I think 3cu ft bags... sometimes labeled as "pine fines" or "soil conditioner."
@@savvydirtfarmer thanks so much!!
Hi! New to your channel! What soil are you using for the cuttings?
mixture of miracle grow potting soil and finely ground pine bark.
What time of year to make cuttings, and what area are you in?
zone 7 here. Early summer is the time.
Thank you for this video! Does this have to be done in spring? I live in central Texas.
You can probably try them as hardwoods in winter. Early Spring is not good since they don't leaf out until later in Spring. Summer is ideal for them as softwoods.
@@savvydirtfarmer thank you!
After the Crape Myrtle cuttings have rooted, do you feed them the same as other rooted cuttings with your Jack’s 10-30-20 or do you use a different fertilizer for the Crapes? Also, samr for Green GiantAbrovites?
I use the same Jacks for all the newly rooted cuttings. Green Giants? I usually do them in dishpans, and I just sprinkle some of my slow release fert on them and leave them be. Jacks would be fine on them as well.
@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you!
Is there benefit to using rooting hormone?
If used correctly, probably so. I've never had any luck with it
What time of year is best to cut them and set them in the tray sir?
Varies by plant, but 4-8 weeks after the plant begins growing in early Spring. While the new growth is green, but not really tender and flimsy, and before it starts turning to hard wood.
Do I use the greener semi Woody or Woody to propagate?
Green… any green except the very flimsy tip
@@savvydirtfarmer 10-4 many thanks
Can you propagate crape myrtles from tree suckers at bottom of base or side of tree?
yes! that's a great place to take cuttings
@@savvydirtfarmer thanks because they are very soft and I was concerned
@@myforexperts2994 The most flimsy part of the cutting, nearest the tip, probably won't work. But from there down, until the wood turns brown, you can do very well with them!
I accidentally ordered 72 cell trays. Too many!!? Can I propagate crepes in those? Thanks
As long as your cuttings aren't super thick, you'll be fine. You just don't want cutting so big they barely fit in the cells.
What kind of success rate to expect with these cuttings?
Pretty high 80+%
@@savvydirtfarmer cool thanks
Even if u yank them up after taking cuttings the ones on the cells will root better than anything because they will still have some root when u yank them. Tossing them would be ridiculous.
What do you do after the summer?
I leave them in their trays and pot the following Spring.
What is the best time of year to do this?
Any time they have fresh, new growth on them that has hardened off just a bit. Nothing to lose by trying now, even though it's a bit late in the season.
can I propagate wax myrtle bushes the same way?
Don't know anything about them, but couldn't hurt to try.
Can I do this now the end of July??
yes
I've tried this a couple of times and the leaves drop off, and doesn't root. What am I doing wrong?
Any number of things… too much or too little moisture, sunlight, timing slightly off… etc
@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you, I'll keep trying.