Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - September 01, 2009

From: Wapperger Falls , NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Propagation
Title: Propagation of myrtle in Wapperger Falls, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

How do you propagate myrtle?

ANSWER:

Depends on which myrtle you are talking about. There is Myrtle communis,  or true myrtle, a native of the Mediterranean Basin and therefore out of our area of expertise at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, where we are committed to plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. However, we did find a website from the University of Oklahoma Dept. of Botany and Microbiology that included propagation techniques for Myrtle communis. This myrtle is a member of the Myrtaceae family. Pictures from Google

If, however, you are referring to wax myrtle, that we can help you with. We tried to find the location of your town in New York, in order to determine which wax myrtle might be native to your area. We couldn't find a Wapperger Falls, but did find a Wappinger Falls, NY in Dutchess County. Hope we got the right one. Also a member of the Myrtaceae family is Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), which is not native in the area of Dutchess County, southeast New York, but does grow in neighboring New Jersey, but in its southeast area and not close to New York. However, we know that this wax myrtle is grown in areas of New York, and will be able to give you propagation instructions. From our webpage on this plant, here are the propagation instructions:

"Propagation

Description: Sow seed outdoors in the fall or stratify. Wax myrtle will root from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer. Root cuttings, 2-3 in. long., can be make in early winter.
Seed Collection: Collect fruit in September or October. Leave waxy coating on during storage, but remove it prior to sowing or stratification. Remove in a solution of 1 t. lye to 1 gal. water. Store seeds in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist peat 60-90 days at 34-41 degrees. Many seeds have a waxy coat that prevents water uptake and stratification. Soaking seeds in hot water or rubbing them vigorously against a rough surface will help remove the wax."

From our Native Plant Image Gallery


Morella cerifera

Morella cerifera

Morella cerifera

Morella cerifera

 

 

 

More Propagation Questions

Planting a meadow garden in Pennsylvania
November 16, 2014 - I live in Saxonburg PA near Pittsburgh PA. I want to put a meadow garden in my back yard. We are building a home so there is no established yard yet just trees and weeds. Where do I start . What...
view the full question and answer

Mistake in propagation of Mustang grapes from Victoria TX
July 27, 2013 - I didn't read first! I planted dried mustang grape seeds in good potting soil, watered and put on tall clear plastic bags to retain moisture, will they ever come up? Should I get the seed out and r...
view the full question and answer

Seeds from opuntia
May 11, 2009 - How do I get seeds from opuntias?
view the full question and answer

How to plant a gooseberry bush
November 22, 2008 - Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush. Thanks,
view the full question and answer

Protecting agave pups in San Antonio
April 23, 2013 - I would like to share the soon to happen bloom of two century plants on my property; they are sisters planted at the same time. I am sad to know they will die but will do all that I can to protect the...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.