Brugie trees how I luv em!!

No moths in my area. Just lots of honey bees and they are always in the blooms on a sunny day and bees usually work all day long. On the couple large brugs that I had, seedpods showed up and I did not pollinate - the bees had to have done it. All of you are going to probably laugh at this but I did not even know at the time that they would set seed pods. You can imagine my astonishment and I was not really sure at first what it was - then I realized a seedpod!! I have come a long way since last summer.

We have the "hummer moths" in Iowa. They come from the ugly Tomato Hornworm that eats holes in the tomatoes as well as the tender top growth. The worm will get up to 2-1/2 to 3 inches long and has a horn on either its head or butt, I can't remember which. There is some kind of beneficial wasp that will leg eggs on the worm and they look like large white flies, of course they don't move. I try to keep this nasty population down because of my tomatoes, but there always seem to be one or two that survive my smashing spree. I think the reason they can get to the pollen in the brug blooms is because they have such a long beak, tongue, whatever it is called and if you notice, it does have a bend in it. The hummingbirds can't get in there because of their wing span and short beak. At least the kind we have in Iowa. Our "hummer moths" are a light tan and I believe they have a spot or two, though small of orange on their back someplace. I'm certainly not an expert on any of this, but do find it interesting to watch they guys at work. They love all the flowers, but especially my impatiens.

S.

that's the kind, brugie, brugnanny, bet you just haven't seen any, but have them come through sometimes. they love brugs. those nasty alien looking cats that like tomatoes too. they love dats too, year before last i let them completely eat one, it grew back and started blooming again.

Here is a site that shows the different type of Hummingbird

Moths

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/6745/hummingbird_moth.html

Gloria, thanks for the link. We may have some of those moths, I just have not seen any and maybe there is only a sparse population in my gulf coast area. Also enjoyed the hummer page - - glad to know that I am doing everything correct in taking care of them. BTW my seedlings are doing great and I am so excited about them - - my first!!

Hi Glory!!!

Thank you for that website...Here in Orlando Fl area I have seen these hummingbird moths often....I didn't have brugs then, but I know they have visited my garden often.

Suzy

You sure grow big bugs down there.

Brugie,
Yes, that sounds like the culprit for sure. As I grow and hybridize outside I figured the only way to keep these culprits from interfering was to pollinate before they had a chance. Ie, remove the corolla before it even opens up out of the calyx and apply the pollen. I generally apply pollen in the early morning hours and again in the early evening hours. If anything tries to get into the flower that isn't there I couldn't say as I have not observed any trying, but I suppose it cuts down on the chances. I can say that any flowers I have left on the tree have all been pollinated by moths. A few hybrids seem more prone than others to be pollinated by moths in my experience and I haven't quite figured out why. Perhaps they are more fragrant? Ahh, well time will tell as more would be hybridizers are taunted by these moth's and bee's that would make us wonder just how many grains of pollen they may have added to our hybrids and who knows, perhaps they know best. All I know is that I have removed anything in my garden that is not an aurea hybrid excepting for a few arborea's and flava's in the hopes of at least the species cross being the ones that I want without a shadow of a doubt. Of course I plan on killing off more whites later as so many seedlings are white. To be truthfull, I don't have a single hybrid of my own in my yard that is white. I only keep the ones in color that bloom within the first year from seed. Long term goal which may or may not be attainable...seedlings which all bloom in the first year from seed...a double of some sort...preferably an aurea double with pink or peach. Of course a Double aurea with culebra leaves and a pink flower might be nice as well. Well, one can dream. Has anyone created a double suaveolens in color yet?

Liz,
Aren't they big and they are cute...in their own way. Sometimes they get stuck in my garage...here I am trying to get them out but trying not to hurt them...quite a sight.

BTW...these little guys come out at dusk.

Liz,
Sanquineas will only cross with Arboreas..its the only compatible species that will accept the pollen.I will post a list of crosses that can be done so you all won't waste time trying to cross types that are uncompatible

Gloria, I saw some huge black bees in Mexico and Barbados. Maybe they were these moths. Our moths in Canada are pretty tiny. Do these guys bite? I hope not. LOL

W e have the hummingbird moths here too. I've seen them on my datura in the evenings.

Eric, don't most things start with a dream? I hope you can get the combination that you are looking for. I too am drooling for a colored culebra. I'll let you get the double and I'll just be happy with a single. Of course after that, I'll be dreaming double too.

Kyle, I think we would all like to hear of the compatible combinations. Might save me, at least, a lot of wasted time. However, I have some plants that I don't know what they are. Will just have to guess with them I guess. I haven't learned how to identify yet.

Thanks.......S

Thanks Eclipse - I just keep freezing sanguinea pollen to cross with my other sanguineas - It's worked pretty well so far. My other plan is to get Tonny's Arborea Ida big enough to bloom then I'm going to try that. It's just a little cutting right now so it may be a long wait. Any idea how long you can keep pollen in the freezer?

Liz I don't freeze pollen..just refrigerate it in a clean airtight bottle for up to a month or longer.I had some last 3 months this way

Brugcrazy,
I don't think they bite....I sure hope not. LOL

Honey bees, hovering flies and wasps (must watch your nose) do most of the natural pollination in Europe.