Crape Myrtle Update

So far we have made cuttings from 40 different selections of crape myrtle hybrids from a total of about 300 plants. This probaby will be the final number of seedlings chosen. There is a color range from white, light pink, dark pink, watermelon red and one that is a light pinkish lavender. A few of these plants set seed but most set only a few or none at all. Remember our goal is seedless reblooming plants. The reason for the lack of seed set is not really clear now but we will study that in more detail next year. For now we are concerned mainly with lack of seed, rebloom or not, flower color and plant form and vigor.

The cuttings are doing well and rooting does not seem to be a problem - we hope. Of course ease of propagation is critical also. This was a minor part of our breeding program but could become more significant in a few years. It is really exciting to see an idea possibly become a reality. More later.