Tropicals & Tender Perennials: How to get started...., 0 by Kell

Kell wrote:
I am so glad we did not scare poor Polly away making this all seem so complicated and such an important factor. Whatever piece you get, a cutting above the Y, that makes a bush, you can get it to grow you a standard too usually if you prefer that. Or if you get a cutting below the Y but prefer a bush form, you can get it to grow you a bush. Or you can even get both, a bush or a standard from 1 cutting if you are willing to wait a year or so! LOL!!! So do not fret!

You are so right Frannie, it is all personal preference. I grow no bush brugs anymore, too messy for me. But I know lots of people love them. Also they take up too much room for my little garden and with standards I can underplant.

Also do not worry about overwintering bush brugs Polly if you like that type. You just trim like them you would a standard so they all fit. I used to do that to get lots into my hoophouse. Clip clip clip is all it takes.

Hi Barb. Your example is exactly why I would never turn away a cutting above the Y evenif yo prefer a standard form. First you get to see the bloom faster and second they make suckers that are great for standards.

They practically always make suckers the next year which you can cut for your standard and you can then toss your brug bush away if you want. I make standards all the time and give them away to my California friends. It is so easy!! And I see from Shelley's thread she dug up I knew how to do it well in 2003 too. LOL.

Though now I have it down to a much easier way......no more airlayering for me, no more bags either. Here is an updated thread if you want to try it.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/554205/

And if you look at the momma Butterfly brug bush in that thread, it was originally from a cutting from above the Y and in that picture it had grown to the roof line and would throw about 4 - 6 ft suckers out a year. No blooms dragging on the ground anymore. LOL

Barb, I am unclear when you say the suckers are growing vertical and you feel that is bad. I would think you would want them to grow upward. I always leave them on the bush or tree till they are the height I want for they grow so fast when still attached to the Mom. Then I just cut them off and put in dirt per that thread above I linked to. Let me know if I can be more clear.

Thanks Shelley for finding that old thread. I had such a good laugh. This is why I love my husband so much. How many men would let this sight be on their front porch out their living room window all winter long so they would have to look at it from the couch every day?? What a guy!! How lucky am I??? LOL! THANKS SHELLEY! I just went out and gave him a big kiss.