Millie, it sounds beautiful!! my dad planted a red for me years ago, just before he died, and the crape myrtle died too. never have found a red like it again. hope everyone elses are doing good too

Millie, I have 2 of them..pretty sure they are the ones you brought. They've both been blooming for a while. They seem to be more dark pink than true red, though so maybe they are not the ones you brought. Ron got some cuttings of some dark reds from the bank in town and they are under the mister. Will be interesting to compare next year.

I have only seen the one that even came near true red, but still not quite there.

Kaye, I brought some dwarf (4 foot) that was marked "dwf red". The other was probably just marked "red". I took the cuttings in Ft. Smith last fall. I kept seeing this Crape that was the darkest red I had ever seen growing around town. Bettye told me they had them at her church's new building, so we went out there and took cuttings. I have no idea what it is, but from the looks of the way they were going straight up, I figure it will be big.

The dwf red will bloom out lighter the first time it blooms also. I would like to have one of the really dark purple ones that I have seen around. May have to take up Crape rustling. Shouldn't be too hard if you offer to root more for the person who has it.

Maybe you can unload those extras at the swap this fall, or pawn them off on someone at work. ;O)

So--what do you do--take cuttings, and put them under a jar, as i used to roses? outside? greenhouse(which i dont have). any special way to take cuttings? near a node, how big? if you see anyone arrested for loitering around these huge red crape myrtles, call my hubby, ok? lol

Take cuttings of this years growth...cut it all the way back to where it comes off of another stem. Cut it into pieces that have 4 sets of leaves. Strip off bottom two sets...dip in rooting hormone. Stick in just barely damp potting soil in a 4-5 inch pot. Place a bottomless 2 liter soda bottle over it...even if you have to slit one side to make it fit. You can tape the slit shut again. Leave the bottle cap on for about 10 days and then remove it. Place them inside in a North window...no direct sun. Should root in 3 to 4 weeks. If the bottle fits snugly, you won't have to water it during the whole process...if not, then you may have to dribble a bit of water around the sides.

Wintering over will be a problem for you without a greenhouse, but I think you can get away with burying the pot to the rim in the garden..use the soda bottle cover and lots of mulch. Best would be to wait until Spring, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Sounds like you have some spotted already. LOL Two little branches will make all the cuttings you can use. I have never lost one, but think it could be done if kept too wet.

By the way, mine has changed to deep dark red now...wheee!...thought for awhile I might have given away all of that one.

I think it would root if you take dormant cuttings and do them as I suggested for over wintering. Seems like I read that somewhere...know it works for roses.