Hi, All - this is a picture of my only two cuttings of Frosty Pink. See how the top is shriveling and browning. That brown area seems to be creeping downward. Is it rot? I noticed it earlier and I cut off the tops that had just a little of this brown area. ..but it's coming back. Anybody know if I can save these? The bottoms had formed good starter roots in water and are now in these little pots and seem otherwise to be fine.
Advise?
Diane Krny
I look forward to the replies, Diane, I'm having the same problem...
I've had some that did that. See the little leaf starting at the node? maybe it won't go past there.
I've had them die right back to the soil level before and put out a new shoot from the roots. If they're making roots they'll be okay... it's when the roots rot that you're in trouble. Just don't keep them too wet and they prolly be fine...
That's a good thought Linda, I hope you are correct. Is it something we aren't doing correctly??? Mine got too much rain while I had to be out of town, but that's the only thing I've done differently, except it's fall, instead of spring...
Thanks Linda and Poppysue - I will watch carefully to be sure I only water when they are completely dry.
Diane
Just my $0.02 worth... the one on the left doesn't look all that bad to me. I can see a bud forming and the yellow/brown area has a sharp edge so it looks like the die-back is no longer progressing. So I'd leave that one alone. Not so sure about the one on the right - maybe other people will have opinions as to whether you should cut off the top part or not. Sometimes the ends of cuttings just want to die back, but the process seems to be self-limiting and will stop once they get enough roots to resume active growth. I've never lost a cutting from top die-back - rotting from the bottom seems to be more of a problem.
Thanks, Tom - I appreciate your thoughts..
Gosh, this is a great group!
Diane
I have a very special cutting doing what your right one is doing. Already, one just went shriveling all the way down. It is my hope it is doing what Sue said for an RK did that for me recently. Rotted down but put up a new shoot which is flourishing.
But since I have lost one of these that is so special, I am going to cut off the top that is shriveling to healthy wood, and lightly dust it with rooting powder for it also has a fungicide in it. And then I am going to pray!!!
I have noticed I get the shriveling top when the cutting is somewhat dehydrated and rubbery to begin with.
That is what I am experimenting with right now. I had some of those. I cut them back into healthy growth. I could do that because they were pretty long. Then I sprayed them good with Wiltpruf which is an anti-transpirant, hoping that it will keep the stem from losing moisture.
Jeanette
I just lost 2 cuttings to Taylor Dawn to the dreaded stem mush. Durn it!!!!
I think it might make a difference where the stem was cut for the cutting too. If there's a lot of stem above the top node the top sometimes dies down to that node and then stops. I always seem to have trouble with Rosamond cuttings dying back... but they still seem to root.
I received a gal of Wilpruf from my nursery guy, who said 'just spray it on everything' and I haven't had a chance to get back to him to get the real skinny. Jeanette, I have the instructions but I'd like to know what you are using it for and how it's working. I don't mind using it on stuff that I always grow, but I'd rather not use it on my special brug cuttings until I know more about it. TIA!!!
Wiltpruf is an anti-dessicant. Basically prevents a plant from losing moisture through the leaves via respiration. Comes in handy on conifers / evergreens outside during the winter since they're still alive but when the ground freezes, they're unable to take up moisture and the dry winter winds sucks it out.
This could also be a form of dampening off. ? Air movement and topping the soil with a thin layer of peat has reduced the occurrence for me although I've not started any brugs .... yet.
Roses tend to die back to a node if pruned between nodes or too close to one they'll die back to the next one then seal off.
Diane - did you notice your opening pic was photo of the day in the DG Newsletter? Two brug pics in a row. Is Dave sweet on brugs? :)
blaine (neo-brugophyte)
REALLY????Blain? No, I missed the Newsletter for the past week or so..I think my spam filter is getting it. Please send me a link if you can to today's and yesterdays.
Thanks
Diane
I think I read someplace that Picture of the Day is chosen according to the number of views, not posts, to the thread. Dave's software automatically does it.
Go to "extras" tab on your home page and you'll see a link to today's Daves newsletter.
My 2 cents: I have used ordinary cinnamon (the spice - not to be confused with cinnamon sugar) on the fresh-cut ends of brugs and other plants, as an anti-fungal. Cheap, usually in my kitchen, works well, smells good. Have never had one get mushy after putting the cinnamon on.
Eileen
Thanks Eileen, I'm going to try that! I have some pelargonium cuttings do this same thing. See if I lose any this winter when it comes time to start making new plants for spring.
I will try that also Eileen! Thanks. I am always learning something new!
Cool Eileen. Cinnamon can also be used to get rid of nasty odors in a fridge by putting some on a metal jar lid and lighting it to burn as incense. You do have to leave the door open for a bit though. No air, no burn.
I have a few that look like that. One of them is finally starting to show some leaf, but at the base of the plant.
