Crepe Myrtle Trees: A Guide to Growing and Harvesting Seeds
Crepe myrtle trees are a popular choice for homeowners in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. They offer showy flowers in summer, vivid fall color, and textural bark in winter, along with attractive seed heads.
When to Harvest Crepe Myrtle Seeds
The best time to start saving crepe myrtle seeds is when the seed pods ripen. 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. That’s the time to start your crepe myrtle seed collection.
How to Harvest Crepe Myrtle Seeds
The seeds in the seed pods are easy to collect. You can harvest the seeds when the pods are brown and dry but before they drop to the soil. Here are three ways to collect crepe myrtle seeds:
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Shake the seed pods: 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.
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Wrap the seed pods in netting: You can also start your crepe myrtle seed collection by wrapping fine netting around the pods. The netting can catch the seeds if the pods open at a moment you aren’t around.
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Bring the seed pods inside: Another way to start collecting crepe myrtle seeds is to bring the pods inside. You can snip off some attractive crepe myrtle branches that have seed pods on them. Make those branches into a bouquet. Place them in a vase with water on a plate or tray. Seeds will land on the tray when they fall from the drying pods.
Tips for Crepe Myrtle Seed Harvesting
Here are a few tips to help you harvest crepe myrtle seeds successfully:
- Start collecting seeds when the seed pods are brown and dry.
- Avoid collecting seeds from diseased or damaged trees.
- Collect seeds from several different trees to increase genetic diversity.
- Store seeds in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant them.
Growing Crepe Myrtle Trees from Seed
Crepe myrtle trees are easy to grow from seed. Here are the steps:
- Sow the seeds: Sow the seeds in a pot filled with moist potting mix.
- Keep the seeds warm: Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
- Water the seeds: Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate: The seeds will germinate in 7-10 days.
- Transplant the seedlings: Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, you can transplant them into individual pots or into the ground.
Benefits of Growing Crepe Myrtle Trees
Crepe myrtle trees offer a number of benefits, including:
- Beautiful flowers: Crepe myrtle trees produce showy flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white.
- Long blooming period: Crepe myrtle trees bloom for several months each year.
- Fall color: The leaves of crepe myrtle trees turn a brilliant red, orange, or yellow in the fall.
- Attractive bark: The bark of crepe myrtle trees is smooth and exfoliating, which gives it a unique and interesting texture.
- Wildlife value: The flowers and seeds of crepe myrtle trees attract birds and other wildlife.
Conclusion
Crepe myrtle trees are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any landscape. By following the tips in this article, you can successfully harvest and grow crepe myrtle seeds.