How NOT to start brugmansia seeds

Purchased a mix of brugmansia seeds from CA. Soaked them over night. While removing the outer coating several in the mix where hollow inside. Figured I'd plant them anyway. I have GREAT luck starting these from seeds (my one and only talent I'm sure with these plants)
Threw them in the pot, put pot on the TV. A month later several germinated. Threw them under lights and this is what I have. A bunch of brug seedlings stuck in a pot with almost NO drainage hole, crowded, and screaming to be set free. I'm such a DORK!

((HUGS))
Kristi

The bottom of the pot!

LOL! They'll be fine, they are very resilient when separated, I find separating them under water breaks less roots.

Please tell me your secret? What are they, do you have an idea? Named?

Thanks for the tip Dennis. I'll have to give it a try.

Hibiscus, none of them are named. It was puchased as a mix for a couple of dollars.

My secret for starting the seeds, a heat mat and a plastic bag. They will come up in a matter of weeks. The plastic keeps the humidity level up and the seeds tend to do much better. Also with the humidity level up the seed coatings won't stick to the leaves and chop their heads off.

If you want some seedlings, Calla sent me a bunch of seeds about two months ago. I sware every one germinated. Not sure what plants they were from.
But I'll send you some of the little plants when the weather warms up. Just be sure to keep them labeled as Callas and send her photos when they bloom.

LOL - that's right up there with the Florida people who just throw the seeds on the ground and they root. Ah to be so lucky.

Liz- Who has the sangs? LOL! It's tough in some ways for us in the north, but the sangs are the trade off.

I planted about 30 seeds in a pot that size last year and didn't get them all transplanted until they were over a foot tall. Didn't even have any wilt when I did the move. I wouldn't say you are a dork. Looks like you know what you are doing and they will be just fine.

Datdog, on the first picture I think I see an sanguinea on the left *lol* Congrats with the seedlings.

I saw it too Tonny, then rubbed my eyes, not what you usually get with an unnamed mix of seeds. Could be wrong, almost looks like Marjory's glossy, 'brown pod', that Kell posted awhile ago.

Yes, I have the same plant growing here. I just checked on it and I start to think its the one.

So this is a good thing Tonny & Liz *grin*? I actually took a close up of the leaves and was going to ask if it was a sanguinea. There is about four total of the same seedlings that look like this. Two large, two small.


This message was edited Tuesday, Jan 28th 10:30 PM

It's always a good thing when you get a surprise brug. Please post again when they get a bit bigger. I think it's time to separate them. LOL

Yes, definately looks like Marjory's sanguinea.

This message was edited Sunday, Feb 2nd 7:42 AM

is "marjory" the cultivar name, or the person who gave the seeds to you? I like trying to grow things with my name as the cultivar name LOL thanks, Marjorie lou

Hello datdog:
just read your post on brugs.
I have some seeds.
After I soak them in water what medium are you using?
Peal the skins under water?

With brugs can you do,what you do with daylillies.
Damp paper towel in jar with holes????

try this: http://www.brugmansias.org/seeds.html

Marjorie has a sanguinea with unusually dark green, hairless leaves. It is in my opinion similar to a B. vulcanicola, except that the flowers are very sang like. After seeing Liz's bloom this past week, it is almost an arborea shaped flower (to me).
I'd really like some of our sang people to have a look at it and see if they have any ideas about her sang.

Hi Summerwind- the hyperlink tig enclosed will give you all you need to know. Here is what I do:

I do soak mine first but I usually don't peel the seed coating. I use Promix (if I can find it) and sow the seeds in whatever is handy (not always a good idea) my key to success is keeping the humidity high while the seeds are germinating, plus the use of a heat mat (or as the above were started- on a TV cable box) My goal is to keep them warm and keep them humid. If the humidity is high enough the seed coatings will fall off when the seedlings sprout.

Once the seeds have sprouted and have their first pair of true leaves I put them under a grow light. I let a fan run half the day for air circulation (in winter), seems to keep the plants happy. Really growing these from seeds is not a big deal. I've found seeds that I've stored for over TWO years and they will still germinate. Have fun!
Kristi

Been very hectic around here with sick kids and sick puppies! *sigh* I needed a winter pick me up, so I repotted the poor brug seedlings.

*Wonder how they all fit into the pot*

This message was edited Saturday, Feb 1st 6:29 PM

For the sanguinea people- here is a close up of one of the plants.

The sanguinea people picked it up before we even noticed the others LOL. I can pick these out at a hundred paces.
Looking good!

I've never seen one of these plants in person Liz. Does the foliage keep that shine? I'm not sure if they will grow in my zone. We get VERY hot and humid- I'll try with one, the others I'll farm out to folks in a more mild climate.
Kristi

If it's the one we think it is it will have medium-large, very dark green glossy leaves.

edited to say that if you want me to send you a picture of the possible type, just email me.

This message was edited Saturday, Feb 1st 7:30 PM

If it's hot and humid it will lose buds all summer, maybe worse. Keep it in the coolest part of your garden in the heat, such as under a big tree. It will be an experiment for you. Plus, when it blooms we would REALLY like to see a photo!

Liz- I sent you a email. Heck Dennis, I'll be happy to keep it alive. A bloom would be more then a bonus, LOL.. I'm going to keep it next to the pond in a semi shady area. With the hopes that the mist from the water dropping down the water course will keep it a bit cooler. Worth a try, huh? Thanks for all the advice.

Dennis!! Don't scare her!! Kristi, sounds like a great spot.
I grew up in Montreal, so I know the hot sticky weather you're talking about. All I can say is if you had a choice of where to sit on one of those hot sticky days outside? That's where you want to put it. No hot concrete or pavers. You know how clematis doesn't like it's feet in the sun and what you have to do? Might try that.

Kristi,I live in NY and I not only kept my sang alive it bloomed too...so don't be scared.....

Mine was planted outside in summer,midday shade.......dug it up and its in the GH.....

I didn't mean to scare anyone LOL, but she did say very hot and humid. I have never been to NJ.
I just found buds on my Huanto sang and my orange from Liz. So exciting! My bad luck must be passed.

Maybe the key to getting these to survive the summer in the hotter climates is to put them in the ground as CC did. I actually was going to pot mine. I'll try one in a pot, one in ground.

Not scared yet Dennis, I can't even think about warm weather right now! Heck we have temps in the 20's as I type.
Congrats on your bud! You'll have to post a picture of the plant so I can see what I'm missing here in the humid zone.
Thanks, Kristi

This message was edited Sunday, Feb 2nd 7:47 AM

i won't try another sang, but do want to try a vulcanicola, as i saw eric's and it was beautiful... just the leaves. will try to find one of those.

Oh come on Arlene- sure you don't want me to send you one of these? You just never know. Second time? might be a charm.

Kristi, i've killed 3. i actually rooted one, in the shade of my oaks, and then it died. will have to enjoy your pics and save room for seedlings, but thanks for your kind offer!

Thanks for getting back to me Kristi;

Hate being new on the block

That site is great.
And along with what you wrote, I'll be ok.
You'll all know what happens.
sandy

they sure look good......

Your welcome Sandy. If your ever in Medford/Burlington County, stop on by. I'll set you up with some cuttings this summer.

Did you get hit with the snow? I'm looking out now and we have about four inches and it's still snowing.

Take care and stay warm.
Kristi