From a distance they resemble a lilac bush, according to people from the north. But unlike lilacs, they bloom all summer long. What are we talking about? We know them here in the south as crepe myrtle and we plants thousands of them every year. But did you know that you can have more crepe myrtle for yourself and your friends without buying them? You can get them by sprouting crepe myrtle seeds. And with some patience, it is not hard to do.
What do crepe myrtle seeds look like? After the crepe myrtle blooms, berries about the size of peas will develop in clusters. When the berries turn brown and split in four, you will find 4-6 brown or black seeds inside each berry. Collect the seeds you want off the bushes you want, remembering that the seeds will grow similar flower to the
Start at the Beginning
From a distance they resemble a lilac bush, according to people from the north. But unlike lilacs, they bloom all summer long. What are we talking about? We know them here in the south as crepe myrtle and we plants thousands of them every year. But did you know that you can have more crepe myrtle for yourself and your friends without buying them? You can get them by sprouting crepe myrtle seeds. And with some patience, it is not hard to do.
What do crepe myrtle seeds look like? After the crepe myrtle blooms, berries about the size of peas will develop in clusters. When the berries turn brown and split in four, you will find 4-6 brown or black seeds inside each berry. Collect the seeds you want off the bushes you want, remembering that the seeds will grow similar flower to the
Start at the Beginning
Start your crepe myrtle seeds early enough in the year to be sure the seedlings are sturdy enough to survive the first winter. If it’s not possible to begin in the spring, no problem! Just be ready to protect them that first winter. To plant the seeds, fill a small pot full of potting soil or composted soil or planting mix with compost, making sure there is adequate drainage from the bottom of the pot or container. Take the seeds out of their seed pods, and sprinkle them on the surface of your potting soil. The surface should be moist but not wet. Once the seeds are in place, you can place a thin layer of damp, milled sphagnum moss over them, to keep down damping off disease and keep them moist. Lightly wet the moss and the seeds and then place the whole pot in a plastic grow bag or zip-lock baggie. If the pot is too big, put the bag over the top of the pot to cover the whole surface of the soil. Your crepe myrtle seedsdo not need a large pot or a lot of soil to sprout, and besides, soon after they sprout their first two leaves, you will repot them.
Growing Conditions
Your seeds and later your seedlings need a temperature of about 75 – 85 F and they need light. The first of your crepe myrtle seedsshould germinate within a few days, and all the seeds will be sprouted and up in 2 weeks. When the seedlings have their second set of true leaves they can be very gently moved to their own, larger pot with deeper soil. At this point there is no need for plastic covering. When they have had about two weeks to get used to their new pots, let them spend the day outdoors in a safe place free from direct sunlight, wind, rain and extremes in temperatures. IF the nights are chilly (in the mid 40’s or less), bring them in for the night, and put them out again the next morning when it warms up. Do this for another two weeks and then you may plant them in direct sunlight, with no pot, either in a nursery bed or in their final position in the garden. The plants grow fast given sun, water and some fertilizer and if planted in the spring, can easily be 2 feet tall before winter. Your crepe myrtle seedsare now new plants, ready to make seeds of their own. One caution: the ones you start will not be exactly like the mother tree: for that you need to root cuttings.
Sources:
Tom Alonzo. “Propagating Crepe Myrtle.” AllExperts.com
Readers Request. “Starting a Crepe Myrtle from a Cutting.” Thriftyfun.com
Reference:
- Sunny DuLane, Crepe Myrtles: How to Add Color to Your Landscape, Associated Content
- Crepe Myrtle Trees and Shrubs: How to Care for Them
- Pruning Crape Myrtles after Bloom
