All, but one of my seedlings, are gone. This includes 9 B. arborea seedlings grown from seeds given to me by a special friend. It looks like a number of the larger Brugs are toast. They received a double whammy. First, the grasshoppers cut them down severly. Then the dry high heat resulting from the exceptional drought we are still in killed what was left. The rest are still hanging on. I sprayed them with an insecticide and have been fertilizing every time I water using the EZ Flo system and am beginning to see some growth. I need to increase the amount of fertilizer injected when I water as well as spray them again with insecticide. Among the dead, however, are some expensive Brugs I bought from Gary and Liz. Those hurt the most. They were great looking plants when they arrived, but the grasshoppers got to them before they had a chance to get established. I'll have to try to get those cultivars again next year.
The damage has slowed although buds are flowers are still being eaten. Now if I can just get them through October and this heat. When I get a chance I'll take photos. I've been dividing my cooler evenings between watering my Brugs and giving the cows hay. The daytime temperatures are too hot for a diabetic.
Grasshoppers are wiping out my Brugs!
I am so sorry about your special brugs. I am still sending rain thoughts your way and special thoughts.
Please take good care of yourself. My mom was a firm believer in "This too shall pass." and "The Lord never gives you more than you can handle" My response to that has always been, "Well maybe He has overestimated my ability to cope."
I guess she was right cuz I'm still upright and taking nourishment...GRIN
Best regards, Jean
I have three nice arborea seedlings that I can send to you when you are ready.. as well as some of the chrissy, dola and monster white.. I am ready to share what ever I can with you.. let me know when you are ready..I agree with Jean.. ( and her Mother) This too shall pass.. I pray for all of you going thru this terrible drought..
Thank you, Debra, I will.
Please let me know if I can help replace any lost plants. I have a very large collection and so far have had a good summer for growth. I will be more then happy to send you a list of all I have available. I will evan pay the shipping.
Brenda, thank you so much for your generous heartwarming offer. I would love to see the list.
Grasshoppers have eased off and seem to be concentrating on other plants. I'm hoping that means the systemic I used on my Brugs and Plumerias is working. So I'm ready to start rebuilding my collection.
I will get it together for you.