Question
I live in Hawaii, on Oahu.  I was given a few mature crepe myrtle branch cuttings, about a foot and a half each.  Do I leave them standing in water until they root, or do I dip them in rooting compound, plant them in pots and keep them shaded until new growth appears? Thanks for your help.  

Answer
Loretta, normally I advise placing the cutting in a good potting soil after dipping it in rootone, covering it with plastic to retain mositure, and then transplanting six weeks later after the roots are firmly established.

In this case, however, I would advise leaving them in water due to their size. Once you see roots appearing, then carefully transplant the cutting to a sterilized pot filled with an organic potting soil. You can then treat it as you would any seedling.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike