We have those beautiful pink crepe myrtle trees in the front yard here but none down where we will move. I was walking around the yard earlier and saw that the crepe myrtle trees have some side shoots growing. Can I dig these and get little trees with roots without hurting the big tree? Do I need to cut them off and root them in pots first? The tulip tree (magnolia?) has the same kind of little shoots around it. I'd really like to move them if I can. I already cut some branches off a rose bush and stuck them in the ground. Now, the flowering quince. I need to take cuttings off of it, too. Do they need a growing solution to get them started? dooley
You shouldn't damage the main tree if you take root cuttings from it Dooley. Like many trees root cuttings they should be dug up in early spring and planted in pots. Place the pots in a greenhouse or somewhere where they can get adequate warmth and lighting. Alternatively you could plant them directly into composted rooting beds. Insert the cuttings about 4" deep and space them about 6" apart. Mulch generously and mist regularly to retain moisture. As for the quince cuttings they will root easily in June/July using a hormone rooting powder. Like the Crepe Myrtles they will need to be misted. They will grow best for you in a very well drained planting medium.
My late FIL use to go for walks around his neighborhood with his pocket knife in hand!! There was a beautiful purple crepe myrtle that he got several cuttings from. He rooted them with Root Tone, planted them and they took off! Made gorgeous bushes in just a short time. Go for it Dooley!
Hmm, that is interesting Gaylyn... some folks just have that knack I think. It seemed like my mom could root anything too. I remember she would sometimes stick a cutting down into a potato with a lot of eyes adn plant the whole thing. Maybe the potato was supposed to help by rooting more quickly and providing the nutrients? She learned her gardening tricks from her grandfather.
The potato trick seems interesting and worth a try. I have a place on the north side of my house and/or hedge that I start cuttings. It is fun to see how much will start so easily if you try early in the spring and are patient. Keeping the are moist/high humidity seems to be the only criteria.
