Crepe myrtle is a plant with outstanding flowers in your garden. And one more thing: It can even be propagated very easily. There are two ways to do this.
Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is sure to give you a magnificent display of flowers lasting several months. However, the weather has to play along and the plants have to get enough sun, otherwise they can also show lazy flowering.
The propagation of crape myrtle is in any case an opportunity to get more specimens of this flowering beauty and to ensure diversity and abundance of flowers in beds or pots. We will now tell you how easy it is to propagate the plants.
Propagation by cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is a widely used way of obtaining new plants. Even inexperienced hobby gardeners will be successful with this method. It takes neither time nor effort. The financial expenses are also rather low.
❍ When is the right time?
Cuttings can be taken in spring or late summer.
❍ What is needed for the propagation of cuttings?
- Cuttings
- Knife
- Substrate
- Planters
- Plastic Bag
❍ How to proceed?
❶ Cut cutting
❷ Remove leaves and buds in the lower area
❸ Use rooting powder if necessary
❹ Fill planters with potting soil
❺ Insert cutting❻ Wait for rooting
In order to take cuttings, you must have a sufficiently developed Crepe Myrtle plant. The cuttings are not cut from very fresh shoots, but from those that are already somewhat woody and should be 15 to 20 centimeters in length. In the lower area of the cutting, the leaves and any buds that may be present should be removed so that they do not start to rot later underground. To speed up the rooting of the cuttings, they can be dipped in rooting powder before planting.
The cuttings are placed individually in planters filled with seed soil and attached to aplaced in a bright and warm location. Covering the cuttings with plastic creates an ideal microclimate and rooting begins after about two weeks.
» Tip: The cuttings are preferably placed over the heater. The warmth of the soil promotes rooting.
If the cuttings are sufficiently rooted, they can be transferred to a larger planter and overwintered indoors. A location on the balcony or terrace is also possible next spring.
» Attention: Young crape myrtles are particularly susceptible to frost and should be able to move to winter quarters in good time after the summer.
Propagation by Seeds
Propagation by seeds is quite time-consuming and requires patience from the hobby gardener. The seeds themselves can be obtained from the seed pods of existing plants or purchased commercially.
The greatest success promises the cultivation of plants in seed boxes. The box is filled with a mixture of peat and sand. Then the seeds are sprinkled. A bright, warm and, if possible, moist location should be chosen for setting up the seed boxes. The boxes can also be set up outdoors on hot summer days.
After about a month, the first seedlings will appear if the propagation is crowned with success. If several leaves have become visible, the young plants can be transplanted into separate planters.
In spring, direct sowing outdoors can also be worth a try. However, whether and when germination will start will depend heavily on climatic conditions and the amount of sunshine.
Which method of propagation is right for me?
As is well known, those who have the choice are also spoiled for choice. Both types of propagation are common and quite easy to carry out.
Propagation by cuttings is a good idea if you already have a well-developed plant that could use pruning anyway. Cuttings are easily obtained by pruning the plants. If only a few young plants are needed, the propagation of cuttings is also the right method. If you don't want to make a lot of effort and still hope for a successful propagation, you should try the propagation by cuttings.
Propagation by seed may be worth trying. However, the chances of success are lower than with cuttings propagation. If there is already a plant that produces enough seeds, sowing can be an experiment and at the same time horticulturalbecome a challenge. The hobby gardener needs more patience and appropriate equipment. In this specific case, a seed box must be purchased so that ideal conditions for germination can be created.
There's nothing wrong with trying both methods and deciding for yourself which propagation option you prefer.
» Attention: Young plants propagated by cuttings flower for the first time after two years. If crape myrtle is grown from seed, it will take three to five years before the first flowers appear.