I have a Brug versicolor and a new white one that I just got from Anniesannuals and I was wondering if I were to spray them with horticultural oil when they loose their leaves in the winter if this might at least cut down on the mite problems I get every year towards the end of the season. I think this is why it seems to have fewer blooms than others I see around town. It also wilts severely during the mid day sun.
Yes,hort oil is safe for brugs provided the temperature is below 80 degrees and stays that way for a while.As for helping control mites the following season,I doubt it.Soap spray,once a week,during mite season would be a better choice.Wilt in midday heat is normal for many varieties.
Thank you very much for the response. good to know about the wilt being normal.
wonderearth, how often do you fertilize you Brugs? They are heavy feeders. When well fed, they respond with lovely large flushes. Maturity has a lot to do with it also. I remember driving through several neighborhoods in Palo Alto where the Brugs are trees taller than the eaves and seeing just a mass of color.
I have to say mine is only two years (started it from a cutting 2 years ago) but last year a gopher got it and it nearly fell over so I dug it up when it was about 4 ft tall and transplanted, I cut it way back to try and save it. Now it is about 8 ft and full. I amended the soil with chicken manure before I planted it but hardly ever fertilize. I usually mulch once a year with composted chicken manure and rice hulls. Should I be doing more? I just love its blooms outside my bedroom window they glow at night and in the summer I can open the window and they are right there at nose level. This is one of my favorites i want more bloom.
All, but one of my Brugs are in pots and those require liquid fertilizer about twice a week using the recommended amount. This year I am using the EZ Flo canister so I am giving my Brugs a dilute amount every time I water. The Audrey Hepburn I have in the ground gets fertilized the same way. It didn't grow as fast as I had expected. I have very sandy soil. Water and fertilizer drain very quickly from the soil. I suspect I need to increase the strength of the dilution of the Miracle Grow I use and maybe throwing compost on it by the barrel full. I'm still experimenting with the one in the ground. Maybe someone with more experience with fertilizing Brugs planted in the ground can give you a better idea of how much you need. and how often.
