What should I do??

Well,I let the frost kill my brugs. that were planted in the ground-is it too late to cut them to the ground or should I wait until spring?? They do have a thick layer of pine needles on them.

Christmascactus... They could come back if the mulch keeps them from freezing if you want you could dig up the root ball and pot them and keep them in a basement or somewere they won't freeze they may even start to go again if placed in a warm spot.

I have had mine freeze several times to the ground. They do come back especially since you have mulched them w/ pine needles. You could cut them back to the mulch and cover the top of the stem w/ more pineneedles. Also they come back just as big like a banana tree. Make sure when new growth appears in spring to water an keep fertilized. Also make sure it never completely dries out this winter.
If you cut back see if you can save cuttings from the bottom. Mine would turn to mush from top down. I never thought of cuttings until I found Daves gardening.
Hope this helps.
Sandy

In Zone 7B? Its like middle europe climate. No chance here to leave them outside.

I am in 7b and let outside hundrets of brugs last winters..not one survived.
I would bring in the rootballs and bring out in spring.

You can keep the rootball in a plastic bag

Ya know these must be the toughest plants in the world. Spend all winter in a dark room inside a garbage bag and wake up in the spring to have the most beautiful blooms you can imagin............WOW.....I'm gonna get me some more....
Dee

Sorry, I usually look at zone. I put both feet in this time. I hope I didn't seem rude, as I wasn't meaning any harm. Wow was I off on in climates. Again I am sorry.

Sandy

Oh do not worry about it Sandy. That is what is so great about Dave's, if one of us makes a mistake someone will come along and fix it, no feelings hurt! I have sure made my share of them!

Thanks Kell, You are a doll.

Sandy

Thanks for everyone's help.
Won't be able to dig it up it on my own so I will cut back & add more mulch(keeping fingers cross). It did come back from last year but I cut it back before frost-so maybe it will again.

Christmascactus-I have had some zone 9 fan palms return when they are planted up next to my house-somehow they stayed warmer up next to the house. I have seen some brugs advertised as being able to live in our z7b, but I put all mine in a greenhouse -this is my first year overwintering them-I only had two until I met all these nice people!

Jenks-this one is planted near the house-so maybe it will come back.

This message was edited Dec 4, 2003 2:23 PM

This message was edited Sep 27, 2004 8:12 AM