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Rooting wax myrtle?

16 years ago

Can anyone tell me if I can root wax myrtle by putting a small limb into a bucket of water? I have heard of this with other trees or shrubs but have no idea if it will work with wax myrtle. I decided to try it today--- so the limbs are in the water. Just wondering if I'm wasting my time. Thanks.

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Comments (9)

alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
I have rooted them in sandy soil before. I'm not sure if just plain water will work though.
greenjewels
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you. I have several. I will "plant" some of them and leave a couple in water and see what happens. Thanks for responding.
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I'd agree that the problem is insufficient root growth combined with luxurious top growth. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do about it. I don't think the soil is lacking in Phosphorus. At least, from what I read, soils in this area tend to have plenty. I started with plants that were in two gallon containers, only 18 inches tall. They were not root bound, but I gently loosened the roots anyway, just to make sure. These are amended, raised beds, and the soil is of a consistent texture and fertility in the entire bed to a depth of 2 feet and horizontally many feet from these shrubs. IOW, they aren't plunked in a hole of rich, ammended dirt, surrounded by native soil. I've watered with soaker hoses, infrequently, and deeply. I believe that part of the problem is that the winds are so seasonal. These plants had the opportunity to put on lots of top growth with no breeze for the majority of the year, and then the Fall winds come along. Should I just leave them braced for a year or two and see if they develop enough roots? Would shearing them next spring make things worse, or could it help? Should I dig them up and try spreading the roots? Plant them deeper? Thanks, Colin
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alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
When I done it, it was in spring. I took the cutting, applied rooting hormone, stuck it in sandy soil, and then put it in the shade. I also watered and misted it everyday. It wouldn't hurt to tear off some of the leaves too. That will keep it from drying out too fast.
greenjewels
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, I'm thinking that Fall might be the wrong time to try this but the problem in the Spring is I don't know the male from female. I don't need to plant males because there is a wooded area across the street full of wax myrtles. My yard is not huge so I don't want to plant a male. This time of the year the females are loaded with berries. I stripped the berries off and also some of the leaves so I guess all I can do now is keep my fingers crossed.
alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
Suckers usually transplant well. Maybe you can find some coming up around a female?
Iris GW
16 years ago
When you find a female, tie a little string or yarn around it to remember where it is in the spring.
MissSherry
16 years ago
Let us know if you successfully root wax myrtle. A lot of it grows on my property, and I've tried to root a few females, since the birds love the berries so much, but I was never successful.
Digging up suckers around a female sounds like a good idea!
Sherry
jeff_al
16 years ago
try layering some of the branches by bending a low-growing, flexible stem to the ground. dig down a few inches and cover part of it with soil. hold it down with a rock or pin it with heavy wire (coathanger will work),leaving about 6 to 12 inches at the tip above the soil.
some sources say to wound the stem that is buried or stake the exposed tip to a vertical position to help induce rooting.
when you see new growth, dig it up and transplant.
greenjewels
Original Author
16 years ago
The problem with the suckers is everytime we think we have found one its connected to a humongous limb that's on the ground.

Thanks, Jeff. I think I'll try the layering technique. I had good luck with that years ago with an azalea (I think). I should have thought of that!

Thanks everyone for your help. This is such a great board!

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