My best friend and fellow gardener lives in west Texas. Will brugs grow there? I know they prefer humidity. She couldn't get her Japanese maple to survive this year even though it was in a very shady area up against the house with lots of moisture. As she puts it, between the heat, dryness and wind, it's like holding a hair dryer up to your plants! So, is it a waste of time for her to even dry brugs and datura? Even though I only live 4 hours from her, we have substantially more humidity here in this part of Texas. Anyone out there grow them in these conditions or have any tips that may make it possible? Like misting them maybe? Thanks!
Jamie
Brugs in dry climates?
I have to water mine twice a day in the summer. I am going to set up a system next year when they are all in their permanent homes. The ones in the ground fared better than the pots. I would have go get much larger than 7 gal to keep them happy. When I planted them into the ground, I worked small landscaping bark (home depot variety) into the soil before I placed the plant in order to hold moisture and they seem to like it.
Gosh, I hope someone from that area of the state can answer this question for you. I know that Shelly grows them in Colorado with little to no humidity, but it isn't as hot. I would think that datura would grow very well. Just don't know about the brugs.
Thanks! I will let her know. What do you mean set up a system? Like drip irrigation? Do you have to protect them from drying wind or are they just out in the open? Full sun? Sorry- lots of questions!
Hi texasgarden!
We have very little humidity here. I havent purposely misted my brugs, only when watering. We had an odd year as far as temperature. It didnt get very warm at all, so I for the most part only watered once a day. (When the temps got in the mid 90's I watered a few picky ones twice a day). I had most in dappled shade, and they did fine, tho I did notice the ones in more sun seemed to grow better. I will never do 80% shade again, as those ones didnt grow at all. I am always scared to put anything here in full sun, too many things have fried.
I had most my brugs in pots, and those ones did best. We have clay soil here, and water doesnt seem to get to the roots well without MUCH amending.
I havent noticed that the wind has done any damage, as far as drying the plant itself out, just ripped leaves and such.
Maybe someone from west texas can come along and help some.. but I think they will do just fine. I dont know the average humidity here, but I do know if it hits 40% we complain... ALOT lolol.
I think Mavie lives in the desert. Maybe she can give some ideas and pointers.
Jamie,
i do not know if ur friend can grow in W. TX, am not familiar with the area at all. am not even familiar with my own area LOL!
although i have lived in the desert for almost 7 yrs now, am still experimenting and learning the hard way. talking about the desert, i live in an area with both extremes in temperatures. hot 115ºF in the summer. cold 10ºF in the winter. not to mention winds constantly blowing at a minimum of 35-45 mi/hr. there is no humidity, always dry, dry, dry!!!
i am able to grow brugs based on lots of research, help from fellow brug addicts here. i do a lot of soil preparation, prior to planting brugs or any plants on the ground... lots of steer manure, compost and other fertilizer that will work for me and the plants i grow. i would venture to guess that the secret lies on soil preparation rather than watering. the soil here is purely harsh sand!
as u will see on photo i will attach, there is no shady area here. during the summer time, i have to water twice a day. i do not mist my plants at all. in the condition i have to deal with, it is trial and error most of the time... only the strongest survive... that is the hardest part, cuz i do not appreciate any plant dying on me.
north east area of the yard...
Oh Ma Vie, that is DRY. How do you keep them watered?
LindaSC
the hard way... dragging the hose all over... ROTFLOL Linda.
here is the west side of the yard... this area is easy to water since some part are slopping down. i just flood the entire area with water so i do not have to do it twice a day.
Unbelievable, you do a great job.
LindaSC
thank you Linda :)*. btw, those photos i took earlier this morning. it is so cold outside, the winds blowing strong. looked like a storm is brewing somewhere. it is drizzling outside and to me cold 48ºF. temperature went down to 38ºF last night. am taking chances right now, i won't be able to dig the brugs till next week if the weather warm some.
no not me Linda, Mother Nature does all the job. i just take care of the plants the best way i can. maybe MN feels sorry for me, after all the hard work i put in, inspite of my health issues. this old lady is dealing against all odds to grow brugs and tropical plants in the desert!
more brugs on the west side a closer view...
Wow Mavie! That is awesome! I grew up in Midland (w. Texas) so I know what she's dealing with. It isn't near as extreme as where you are. The big thing is it's windy there. And if it's 100+ degrees and windy with no humidity, it does feel like someone turned a hair dryer on you! The only thing so far that I can grow here that she cannot are the jap maples. The soil is actually very loamy there- not sand. She has better dirt than I do! We have the clay issues in this part of Texas, but I amended (not even drastically) and I have pretty good soil now. She is an experienced gardener so I think she can make it work. I hope so since I just mailed her one of the cuttings I rooted and some dat seeds. :) She is a "no fuss" kind of girl though. If a plant keeps getting a certain disease or pest, or has to be babied, she yanks that bad boy out. Her yarden is gorgeous too. She is big on xeriscape (sp?). Though she did want a jap maple reeeeaallll bad! Now she said I am going to introduce her to another plant she can't grow and give her brug envy. HA! Anyway, I sure hope not. And I will tell her to water them 2x a day in the summer. Once I have her sufficienlty addicted, I will send more cuttings. :)
well Jamie, if i can do it, i do not see any reason why anybody can't. xeriscaping or not, them plants need to be watered, mulched and lots of tlc. just tell her to do the best she can. my philosophy is... plants are like people, if given the right criteria where their needs are met, they will surely tribe. the very reason why i try to do research so i can meet the needs of each plant. i was told, nothing will grow here, but i somehow managed to prove them wrong.
i don't know much about Japanese Maple, but am sure if ur friend so some research, she can find solution to her problem/s. good luck to both of u.