Root Hardwood Cuttings
I have two crepe myrtle trees beside my driveway that my Aunt Vera brought me in the mid 70s. She dug up the suckers that emerge from the roots, as she knew suckers have increase vigor and more likely to survive. My sister tells me every July when the trees are profuse with watermelon blooms, “I want an Aunt Vera Crepe Myrtle.” I shall try to root one for her this winter during the dormant season. Winter is the best time to root hardwood cuttings. If you want three, attempt to root at least six. If you get lucky and more than 50% root, share them with friends.
Prepare a large clay pot with moist potting soil, take a pencil and make a hole in the soil for each cutting about two inches apart. Select cuttings from mature, dormant stems that do no bend easily. Use a sharp, clean pruner to cut at least five pencil-sized 6-inch-long branches. Dip four inches of the cutting in rooting harmone (Rootone) and sitck the bottom end immediately in the prepared hole. Rooting cannot happen if the cutting in not put in the growing direction. The perfect environment is an unheated garage and in your line of sight so you can keep the soil moist (never soggy) throughout the winter. Do not worry that they do not have direct sunlight. If they dry out they will not root. After danger of frost is past, set the pot outdoors. When you see roots emerging from the drain hole of the pot, they are ready to be placed in larger individual pots. By the end of summer you will have healthy new plants to share. Other shrubs that root with this method include hydrangea, confederate rose, blueberry, grape and camellia.
