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Old 29-01-2010, 11:45 AM posted to aus.gardens,rec.gardens
David Hare-Scott[_2_] David Hare-Scott[_2_] is offline
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Default Propagating crepe myrtle

Loosecanon wrote:
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
...
Loosecanon wrote:
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
...
I want to propagate crepe myrtles from cuttings. I have done the
obligatory googling and it seems that it can be done using either
hardwood cuttings in winter or softwood cuttings in summer.

Is there any difference in either the technique or the results? Does
climate make a difference to which method is better? My
climate is a hot summer and cool winter.

David

Take some 15cm cuttings in March and put then in ordinary potting
mix. Put them in a shady spot that gets water. They will lose leaves
over winter and about half will shoot out with roots. I also have
heard you can do root cuttings as there are dormant buds but never
tried it. I tried growing from seed they sprouted but they damped
off and died om me. I am just to mean to use a fungicide.


Would that be hardwood or softwood cuttings in March?


Now does your crepe myrtle get mildew or not?


I don't have any yet. The project is to acquire some.

David


The cuttings I took were of current years growth they would be
classed as semihardwood cuttings.


OK

How many cuttings do you want? Mine is a mildew resistant variety so
looks good all year around in all its different phases. Must admit it
is one of my favourite trees.


I want a few dozen as I have a big garden to fill up.. There are many CM
street trees in the district so I will ba able to choose the colours that I
like. They seem to thrive on neglect getting through heatwave, frost,
drought and flood with no problem.

David