Question
hello
your reply indicates that you have already answered this question.   however, i have only two pieces of correspondance,  neither of which contain an answer to this question.

i may have entered my email address incorrectly, in our prior communication.

i can only surmise that the answer is lost in transit,  since i dont have it.

again... the question is how to propagate crepe myrtle from seed or stem?

where do i locate the seeds for germanization?

sorry for the extra work,  but i havent received your response.

thank you

mike dutcher
[email protected]  

Answer
Hi Mike,
Sorry about the mixup.  I remember answering the question but I guess it didn't make it to you.  After the crepe myrtle blooms berries about the size of peas will develop in clusters.  Wait until they turn brown and you should find the seeds (brownish or black)inside the berries abouit 4-6 seeds per berrie.  Press these seeds into moist but not soggy potting soil in a regular pot and cover them lightly with soil.  Place a thin layer of milled sphagnum moss to keep down damping off disease.  Place the pot inside aplastic baggie and seal it and keep the temperature around 75 degrees F.  Germination occurs in about 2 weeks or less.  When the seedlings germinate take the pot out of the bag and keep it under a 40 watt flourescent shop light about 8 inches above.  When the seedlings have their second set of true leaves they can be gently pricked out of the pot and potted up separately.  Acclimate them outdoors in a safe place free from direct sunlight, wind, rain and extremes in temps for about 10 days and then you may plant them in direct sunlight.  If you wish to use cuttings take green softwood cuttings about 8 inches long that have no flowers on them.  Make the cuttings where the green twig meets the main branch.  Use a sharp knife not scissors.  Strip all of the leaves off of the cuttings except the last two or three.  Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone which can be purchased at a good nursery.  Stick the cutting into a pot with wet sand or moist soil less potting mix about an inch deep and seal inside a plastic bag.  Rooting will take place in 4-8 weeks and you can check by gently probing around the cutting with a pencil.  When there is a good root system pot up separately.  I hope this helps.
Tom