Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Experiments and Root Balls, 0 by lagata2

lagata2 wrote:
I'm an experimenter. I like doing stuff just to see what comes of it. Since Brugs came into my life, they are the un-witting victims of several past and present experiments. What are/were some?
Cytokines used to increase bud numbers, giving new cells at lower levels a chance to express themselves as sports.
I only got one sport out of it, and it might have happened anyway, but it was a very interesting concept. I'll play with that some more.
Grafting is still on my agenda, even thought those I did earlier this year bit the dust when I sprayed for mites. I'll be doing that again now that spring is here, and things are more actively growing.
Braiding brug stems has worked OK in a way, but Afterglow wants to outgrow the other two in the braid (i used three colors) so it may be a problem if they don't catch up.

I'm planning and playing with several GA, "messenger', and Mighty Plant experiments too. The stuff is expensive, so we may as well know for sure just how well it does.
I'm doing and learning all I can to create new variegates, and would not be surprised if I come up with something special before the year is out.
But Where to plant everything? I have to move some plants for the sun-loving experiment into the spaces that others occupied last year. (Those that pass with flying colors will be planted in the 'back forty' for breeding.)
I left many in the ground over winter as an experiment to see which returned in my zone. Took plenty of cuttings of course, some of which went into "bury or Bucket' experiments. Bubble buckets proved their worth last year, but I hadn't tried burying them before. 10 inch sticks buried 4 inches underground did great, some bottoms up, some on their sides. Only lost about 3 out of 30 or so. All rooted quickly and well.
Those cuttings rooted with plastic bags put over them put on green growth the fastest; without bags, the put out more better roots.
The branches that were laid under a foot of mulch and manure I haven't had time to check yet, but leaves are sprouting up out of it, so for sure some made it through the winter!
So I have plenty of cuttings to replace any that didn't make the winter, and those that did need moved. What to do with the multiples?? It would be such a shame to trash them!
Sooo; why not (Edited, sorry.)? I don't think its been done before, except for one that was being (edited)) a potential bonsai once (!!??) But why not? It's a proven bloomer, will for sure be a big one, and someone might like a two year old Butterfly without having to put in the two years. I really doubt I'm the only one that hates to compost established plants, so some here may want to consider this for future possibilities, without having to be first. I couldn't weigh the darn thing before posting however, and the shipping might prevent me from ever trying this again!!! But as experiments go, it could prove entertaining and interesting...... I'll try to let y'all know how it goes.
It can be hard to be the first at something, but waiting for others to think of it just takes too long!! I know a neat lady who's tag line is "patience is a virtue, but lets not dillydally". Love it!! My own is "Where are we going, and why am I in this Hand-basket?" which seems fitting here too!
Sorry if some of this seems broken up. Someone is sending in complaints, so I've had to edit.

This message was edited Apr 1, 2005 12:51 PM