Learning about root cuttings

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Dirt_Lover Gainesville, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 19, 2010

I am new to this method of propagating but doing well, especially with my gardenias and azaleas. My question is, if I have crepe myrtle that start to develop buds at the end of the little branch, should I cut that part off so it can develop it's roots better? Or should I just replant it in the soil it will stay in for the next year? Thank you for all your help. (Sorry, I haven't taken a picture of it. Let me know if I need to before you can answer.)

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 19, 2010

If you have a cutting being rooted that has flower buds developing, the buds should be removed as they require considerable energy for the plant to produce them.

If a previously rooted cutting is ready for transplant and has buds, you may either allow it to bloom (provided it has a healthy root system,), and wait until it is through blooming to transplant it, or Snip off the buds and transplant.

Here is some info for you

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/trees-shrubs/how-to-propagate-crepe-myrtle-trees.htm

http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/crapemyrtle2.htm

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Dirt_Lover Gainesville, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 19, 2010

You are a gem! Thank you so much!

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 19, 2010

You are too welcome. Good luck to you.

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behillman Plantersville, TX(Zone 9a) Aug 27, 2010

Dirt Lover: I understand you are doing well with your propagation of Azaleas. I need help with that. I have taken stems all summer, & my cuttings just turn black & die. What am I doing wrong? The parent plants are green & growing lea ves at the moment.

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Dirt_Lover Gainesville, GA(Zone 8a) Sep 15, 2010

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I am using perlite mixed with a small amount of peat moss (ordered some bulbs that were packed in it). I took one of the plastic tubs with a lid on it and turned it upside down so I have a nice little "greenhouse" and keeps them nice and moist. They're in mostly shade, just some dappled light in the morning. When I cut them about 5" long, I just left the few top leaves and put a little powdered rooting hormone on the very tip and used a stick to make a little hole in the perlite to put them in, packed the perlite around the stems, gave them a good bit of water and that's it. I also have my water bottle right there and I mist the leaves every day. I left them in there about 4 weeks until I pulled and got a little tug. The root systems were pretty good so I re-potted them in worm castings mixed with potting soil. So far so good.

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