crape myrtle cuttings

Hi, I'm new to the forum, but not all that new to bonsai.
I'm wondering if you take a cutting from a crape myrtle
do you start it in water or soil or a combination?
I LOVED the photos Jim put up of his road side crape myrtle!
Arv

I'd use rooting hormone (Rootone, in the USA) and root in bonsai soil. You should get near 100%.

I have great success with crape cuttings. I usually take them in June, and I have had some excellent survival rates. I have taken cuttings as almost as small as a paper clip, and end up with something a little fatter than a pencil by the 2nd year. I'll post some pics later. I use the Faffard 3b mix and have had excellent results. The root system by the time spring gets around is bigger than you might think. I usually do protect the cuttings in an unheated shelter in Winter, and haven't lost a single one by the time spring rolls around. I also use a rooting hormone like Jim.

Jim,
How fat can the cuttings be and still root?

Libby

I've rooted some as big around as my thumb. You probably could go larger, but I specialize in tiny trees.

I collected a giant crepe myrtle a couple years ago, and moved it to a growing bed. Then, In early june this year i defoliated it and cut it from 12 feet tall down to about 3 feet tall, producing 4 cuttings that were all bigger than a soda can and about 2 feet long (basically like firewood). I left just a couple leaves on each one, and i believe one of them had no leaves. I planted them in perlite/vermiculite mixture in the shade. Here it is 2 months later and all 4 are growing like crazy. I was shocked, I only though ficus and willows root that easy.