Question

my new tree   QUESTION: I actualy have 2 questions i have this tree i just planted 1 month ago it had all pale purple tiny flowers on it that fell of and now has little oval shaped pods forming wich seem to be seeds dont know the tree but I was told the leaves will turn dark red later on in the summerhow do i grow seedlings and when and how .or stem rooting how to do that also.question 2 is i grew a grepe myrtle by luck,tried out some seeds last fall got lot to sprout and grow under a flouresant light but slowly they all died except one it was doind poorlt mid april so i planted it in my garden to see what nature would do it was doing great and my neighbor was over helping us put up a gutter and steped on and broke it .mad as hell for all the work i did i grabbed it and pulled it out and threw it in the middle of the garden much to my suprise 2 weeks or so i was weeding and there it was standing a little lopsided but had rooted and grew more leaves ,Ill be darned so I left it for about 2 more weeks and put it in a pot on my porch .i was affraid it would get steped on again.its only about 2 inches high what to do for winter put it in the ground again or leave in pot and do i water it as ive been all winter ?  love to see the results of these seeds turn into a tree its so beautiful.but i need help.I dont have rooting powder and some say you dont need it just use weeping willow cutting and soak them in water and root your stem cuttings in it.thanks in advance,soory for the long email.sent pic of unknown tree

ANSWER: Hi Linda,
Thanx for your question.  Can you tell me what part of the country you're in?  Does this tree grow as a native in your area?  You said the pods are oval shaped?  Do you have a picture of them?  I appreciate the picture of the tree.  Right now, I'm not sure what it is but I'll research it.

Here's an article on making your own rooting hormone.

http://www.thebubbler.com/forums/gardening-landscaping/8690-how-make-your-own-ro

Let me know your location so I can answer your crape myrtle question and I'll also research your tree.
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


redbud pod   QUESTION: Hi Tom, its a redbud thats all I know and the leaves turn purple after flowers die off yes i have a pic of the pods and I live in salisbury,maryland I am very grateful for your quick response.on the top right is a large leave,right under it is the memosa shaped pod,how long do I have to wait to and how?or how to do stem rooting?  thank you .cant wait to here back.

Answer
Hi Linda,
Thanx for the additional information.  You are exactly right.  It is an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) which is native to most of the temperate U.S. east of the Rockies.  Here's more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercis_canadensis

You can easily grow the redbud from seed.  Wait until the pods turn brown and the seed is ripe.  This plant is a legume, related to the pea.  The seed coat is hard, so, you will have to rub it against a file or emery board to nick the tough coat so water can permeate it.  Once you have nicked or "scarified" the coat, place the seeds in moist soil and seal inside a plastic baggie.  Place in the fridge for 5-8 weeks because the seed requires a cold treatement to break the dormancy of the embryo.  After the cold period, return to warm temperatures and germination will occur in a few weeks although it could be sporadic.

Crape myrtle are easy to start from seed and will generally germinate in 2-4 weeks at 75癋.

I've never tried rooting cuttings with the salix/weeping willow preparation so I don't have any experience with it.  I can tell you it takes about 6-8 weeks for rooting to begin whether it is willow/salix water or rooting hormone.  I hope this helps.
Tom