How do you identify your brugs when you winter them outside??? What kind of name tag do you use?? Also, what would you think would/could be the latest I can plant a brug, in the ground, so it will get going, root well, before winter?? I still have several in pots, and I would still like to put them in the ground. We generally don't have frost until after Oct 31, and 'killing' frosts are even later. TIA!!!
Name Tag Question
I guess if it were me, I'd get them in the ground right now. The longer they have to root in the ground, the better your chances are. As for tags....I'm beginning to wonder what will work. I think the squirrels are removing mine. Seems like every day, even from pots, I have to pick them up off the ground and hope I get them back in the right pot. Lately, I've been using long pieces of mini blind with the names made by using the P-Touch labeler. The ones out in the garden have held up very well. Other than that, I'd probably use metal markers like the ones they had a co-op for recently.
I used the wrap around tags that wrap around the trunk.
Mary, I tried the wrap around tags and one was too tight and I'm always having to adjust them. I'm thinking about using those plastic things that sorta lock, if I can find something plastic, that I can write their names on. This is becoming more of a problem for me and I really would like to keep track of them. Gosh, I just read yours, Brugie, and the plastic mini blind really sounds good and I happen to have an old one, thanks!!!! You could really put them WAY in the ground or pot and I would think that might work...
Mellinger's sells an aluminum tag that you write on with a ballpoint pen or anything sharp.They come with a wire for attaching to the plant.These things are permanent I believe they are called "Impresso Tags".about 13.00 per 100 the last I ordered.Well worth it if you have lots of plants to identify.I usethem,attached to the pots, for new crosses.
A word of warning.If you use non English speaking help to re-pot your plants make sure they know to move the metal tags as well as the faded plastic ones.Ask me how I know that!My fault,of course,but now I have about 30 unidentified crosses.
Ouch!! I hope you can figure it out later.
Sherry:
I also use the mini blinds. They are soooooo cheap and do a great job. I fasten them to a branch or to the plant stake with a plastic zip tie. They become very permanent then.
Here's an illustration from an old thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=916477
Gretchen
The grower from whom I purchased most of my daylilies uses zinc plant labels that stick into the ground with wires. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/catalog/index.cfm?page=_ProductDetails&ProductId=8767
Tom, I would have gone with your suggestion, until I saw Gretchens, which is exactlty what I was looking for, something to attach, with LOTS of grow room and a surface where the name will not come off. Thanks, all!!!!!! I appreciate your posts!!!
J.T. Does Mellingers have an email address? My blinds work for a while, then just seem to fall apart.
Roz,here is their website.They also have permanent markers that are actually permanent.www.mellingers.com/
Word of caution about using wire or ties around brugs. The brugs grow fast and before you know it-the brug is strangled. I have forgotten several brugs that were id with twist ties and the plant grew over them strangling and killing the lower part of plant. I did some air layering and saved them. I use the zinc rose markers, which go deep into the ground and write on the with valve action paint markers by Markal. The markers are used for industrial use and the writing can last for years. I use Pylon 6" Plant Label in the small pots and gallon pots. They do not deteriorate. I use them over and over-after disinfecting. pot labels can be purchased at http://www.growersupply.com/
Hope this helps. Have tried many thing that did not work before finding this pen and labels.
I have been using a label machine.when i peel the tape off of the adhesive back,i cut a piece off and stick it back in the middle of the label.only the ends stick together.seem to take weather well.
I think the label machine is made by brother.you can make the tapes as long as you want.This does not sound like I am bragging that I have seed pods does it? This is the FIRST TIME I have ever had any !
I'm still in disbelief that Phil pollinated the first time on a double and got a pod. Took me longer than that. LOL!
Forgot....wanted to say that I have a P-Touch labeler and the labels stick well and last well too.
This message was edited Aug 20, 2004 11:16 PM
Thank you Shirley for the pollen and instructions on how to cross them.
The only thing I added was the part where I talked dirty to them .
oh you are so naughty! LOL
Phil.....whatever works. LOL!
I have been telling people about the bee's and guano on my bruges this summer.here is a bee.no picture of the guano.I dont want to be responsible for starting that thread.
Geez....how much more perfect could those leaves get??? I don't see a tear or a bite anywhere! What are you doing mailman? If it's the guano, then I'm needing to get some of that stuff. LOL Great pic....I love the bee.
So Mailman, did Brugie start you off with your first brug? Or had you found them all by yourself?
Gretchen, what is the reason you attached the name tag to the rebar (sp) rather than the brug?? Is the rebar there to stay 'forever' with the brug?? I've just rooted my first 'tree' - it's almost 7 feet and I'm using cane right now for stakes, I never dreamed it would root, so I just stuck it in the ground and now I need to make more permanent arrangements, but this one will winter inside, I'm so tickled with it!! BTW, I'm going to use the mini blinds with the plastic ties, giving it plenty of room to grow. TIA!!!
Thanks, J. T.
Thanks to all of you re name tags. Today, I put nice, new tags on all my plants. I'm using the mini blinds and the plastic, 'lock' ties that will not come off, unless cut away. I put the name of the brug on the front and back for my convenience. The main reason I'm telling you about this is because, while taking off the old ties, I found 6, 'dangerously' tight, and two that had cut into the plant. They were the plastic, one piece markers that the nursery uses. When I planted the brugs, I made sure, I thought, that there was plenty of growing room, but I was mistaken, I had no idea they would grow that much!! Whatever, if you are using that kind of tie, you might want to check on them...
I use the mini-blind tied on with panty hose (which stretches and does not cut into the trunk). As the tree grows, I can slide the tag up to eye-level. I realize that I need to come up with something that will stay in the ground when the top is cut off.
One of my problems is needing the writing on the tag dark and pretty large, which I did accomplish with the mini blind. Linda, I got a pretty large plastic tie, that none of the plants can grow into for 'years', unless I give a brug to a master gardner, ha! I 'think' I fixed all these tags where they will stay with the plant, when I cut them back this fall. This is the third time I've changed name tags, so I'm hoping this one works!
I forgot to ask - when I was checking my brugs and adding the new name tags, I noticed that almost every brug I have is growing roots outta the ground. What all that about??? Some have big roots??? Are the begging for water, food or did I not plant them deep enough?? If food is the answer, I fed them today and, because my daddy is sick, I haven't fed them enough and, or frequently enough...
This is how I mark my hostas and daylillies. I use electrical conduit, 1 ft long, write the name and drive it in when the plant is installed. If I want to use a plant stake (like with day lillies) I just drop a bamboo stake into the conduit. After the flower has been deadheaded I remove the stake and use it somewhere else. This same method could work with brugs, using rebar for a stake in the summer and having a marker in the winter. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Goodness, Linda (I hope I have the right name!), that sounds so difficult, I'm afraid of electricity...
Linda, that is a great idea. I might have to copy that when I plant my daylilies. I'm so afraid I'll lose a tag.
There's no electricity involved. The electrical conduit is like pvc only it is grey.
Kell,all the bruges I have came from Shirley.She is my resident expert and resource for answering my usually dumb questions.This is my third year growing them.I am not normaly a green thumb person,but I have had good luck with the bruges(so far).I grow everything in containers from cuttings.I use a golf cart and a hand truck to put them where I want them.I rotate the ones that are blooming to my deck so that I can sit for a moment and enjoy their fragrance before I go to bed .I will thin down to a couple of dozen large plants to bring inside for the winter and plan to grow some seeds and what ever new varieties I can come up with.
You mean whatever new varieties are forced on you..................LOL!
That is a great idea Linda.I'm stealing that one.
I'll bet you could use a plant marker, or even that mini-blind idea, and place a tin can over it (pressing it firmly in the ground) to keep the marker dry. Even permanent markers don't stand up to alot of wet weather.
It works well for me JT with the day lillies, I haven't tried it with brugs but I'm sure a piece of rebar would fit in it. I use 'Rub-a-Dub' laundry marker and some of them have held up for more than 2 years now. Makes it easy to find my hostas and day lillies in the spring so that I don't dig them before they break dormancy.
Linda, what is electrical conduit?? Is it kinda like PVC pipe?? Where do you get the conduit, Lowe's??? Do you have Lowe's cut it for you or can it be sawed at home??
Do you just hammer it down in the ground??? I'm going to try it and thanks ever so much for a great idea!!!!
Yes SL, in Lowes it is in the electrical dept and comes in 10 ft pieces (I use 3/4"). It is like pvc, but I like it because it is grey and blends into the background a little better. I cut it with my 'Fiscar' loppers into 1 ft pieces and hammer it into the ground. (write the name FIRST, I learned the hard way)
You could use pvc - I would love to use copper, but it's more expensive. I might use copper for my brugs, I love the look of copper in the garden.
GREAT info, Linda!!!!! MANY thanks!!!! I just had my barn bathroom updated and I have some copper tubing, it's small, is that the size you are talking about?? I know what you mean about the PVC, it's so white it distracts in the garden and the grey is much better. Whatever, I love this idea because it can be permanent if I like, or I can move it, and it is sturdy enough to withstand the elements, etc. I can't wait to get started!!