Saving Crepe Myrtle Seeds How To Harvest Crepe Myrtle Seeds

You should harvest the seeds when the pods are brown and dry but before they drop to the soil. It's not difficult. Keep a large bowl beneath the branch where the seed pods are located. When you want to start saving crepe myrtle seeds, shake the dry pods gently to release the seeds.

Can you grow crepe myrtle from seeds?
Should I cut the seed pods off crepe myrtle?
How long does it take crepe myrtles to grow back?
Do birds eat crape myrtle seeds?
Can you root crepe myrtle cuttings in water?
Is crape myrtle poisonous?
What do crepe myrtle seed pods look like?
Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?
How do you prune crepe myrtle seed pods?
What can kill a crepe myrtle?
Did I kill my crepe myrtle?
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Can you grow crepe myrtle from seeds?

To propagate crepe myrtle from seed, gently press the seeds into moist potting mix or composted soil using a regular sized pot or planting tray. Add a thin layer of sphagnum moss and place the pot or tray in a plastic grow bag.

Should I cut the seed pods off crepe myrtle?

A: The short answer is no. You do not need to cut off the balls at the end of the branches. These are seed pods that formed from the flowers last summer. They do not hurt the tree and will not affect flowering this summer.

How long does it take crepe myrtles to grow back?

Renewal pruning, or cutting the tree's base down to the ground, will allow the tree to have a fresh start, and it will rapidly grow back healthy and strong in two-three years.

Do birds eat crape myrtle seeds?

Goldfinches love crape myrtle seeds almost as much as they love thistle seed! Another goldfinch in its winter dress poses among the seed pods. Many seed eating birds will feed on the seed pods of the crape myrtle in winter.

Can you root crepe myrtle cuttings in water?

Crape myrtle shoots root well under a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions, although it's not possible to root crape myrtle cuttings in water. For most home gardeners, it's best to root crape myrtle cuttings in pots so you can better control the growing conditions.

Is crape myrtle poisonous?

Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.

What do crepe myrtle seed pods look like?

Crepe myrtle trees flower in late summer and produce green berries. As fall approaches, the berries develop into seed heads. Each seed head holds tiny brown seeds. Over time, the seed pods turn brown and dry.

Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. ... The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.

How do you prune crepe myrtle seed pods?

To take the heavy burden off the arching stems, clip the seedpods any time after November, making way for the buds that will break in early April. Clipping the pods earlier is likely to bring on a new late-summer bloom and more seed pods. Always use sharp clippers for pruning, If your trees are tall, use pole pruners.

What can kill a crepe myrtle?

Glyphosate kills virtually any plant it touches. Herbicides containing glyphosate may be painted on freshly cut stumps or sprayed onto the foliage to kill the crape myrtle. Trim the cut end of older stumps to expose the wood surface before applying glosphate. Spray the foliage and branches of intact crape myrtles.

Did I kill my crepe myrtle?

Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle

Scratch the lower base of the stem and if it's green it is still alive. If it's not, it may still be alive, but you'll have to wait awhile before you know for sure. A really cold winter may have of killed the top growth, but the roots may still be alive.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.