Grow Crepe Myrtles from Seeds

February 3, 2017

Question: Can you grow Crepe Myrtles from seeds and if so, how do I do it? I have tons of seeds and I would like to try growing them.

Crazy for Crepes
Lea County, NM

Answer:

First: harvest the seedpods, which are actually berries once they begin to split open in the fall. Dry seeds completely, store seeds in air-tight containers for spring planting.

Propagation: Sow or press seeds into a moist potting mix in a 6-8 inch pot or seed flat with individual cells prepared with the potting mix. Add a thin layer of mix or milled peat moss over the seeds. Cover the pot with a plastic grow bag or a plastic lid that comes with the seed germinating trays. You are creating a mini- greenhouse environment. Move to a well-lit and warm location of a minimum temperature at 75 degrees. Do not put in full sunlight to much heat buildup. Crepe Myrtle seedlings will germinate in 2 to 3 weeks.

Control Recommendation: Watch your planting for drying out of the soil mix. Do not overwater or you will rot the seeds/seedlings.

Once seedlings have emerged, remove plastic tray top or open plastic bag partially. This is where you have to begin to wean or harden-off your newly emerged seedlings. If planted before Lea County’s last frost date of April 15th, you will have to treat these seedlings as an indoor houseplant. You would gradually acclimate them to the outdoors climate and conditions; ultimately being planted in a permanent landscape location. Increase the light level to prevent seedlings from stretching towards light sources. You want to strengthen the plants, turn pots and/or tray in light conditions. On warm days seedlings can go outside but keep out of hot sun rays, windy, drying conditions. Once outside and planted treat them tenderly and loving. They are new seedlings transplants just like tomatoes or peppers plant into a garden; they need proper care, protection from the elements to grow up into a flowering shrub.

Overall, the Crepe Myrtle seeds you plant out will only have a few actually germinate. So sow many seeds. Also understand that the natural pollination process may create a new color, different flower form, and plant characteristics than the parent crepe myrtle plant presents when grown to flowering maturity. 

Good luck growing Crepes from seed, let me know if you are successful. 

Dr. Dirt

Weed Identification

February 3, 2017

Question: What is the plant with long root, is it a weed or maybe a poppy? The creepy viney one is what I really need to get rid of...what is it?

Charmayne
Lea County, NM

Answer:  There are two specimens in the baggie of weeds from Charmayne’s yard, one is a poppy seedling with the long tap root. It is a flower and not necessarily a weed, just depends on where it is growing.

The other creeping weed is a winter annual known as 'Chickweed'. It is an aggressive ground cover weed and has a tendency to choke out turf when not controlled. It grows low to the ground and lawn mower blades usually do not cut much of the plant off. It has pale white flowers and produces 1,000's of fine dust like seeds. Chickweed likes a cool growing season, hence it’s a winter weed. It loves to grow in shade and moist to wet areas where it will mound up.

Control Recommendation: Two methods of control outside of hand pulling it. One is using a broadleaf weed herbicide. A second control measure would be the use of a pre-emergent herbicide that targets the germinating seedlings.

Post-emergent herbicides such as a 2,4D broadleaf spray will kill this weed effectively. Just be careful and read the directions of your herbicide product for application. Your poppy seedling submitted is considered a broadleaf plant, and this herbicide would kill your poppies too.

There are several Weed and Feed products that contain 2,4D Herbicide and a fertilizer in a dry granular product that will control the chickweed and other broadleaf weeds. READ the application label and use accordingly by not over applying these types of herbicides.

A pre-emergent herbicide applied in late fall will control 1,000's of seeds dropped by the parent plants. This herbicide affects the germinating process of ALL SEEDS including those in your flowerbeds. Suggested pre-emergents herbicides -- Surflan, Pendamethlin, Balan, Preen, Barricade, Snapshot, Amaze, Scott's and High Yield turf products at local garden centers. 

Dr. Dirt