As I've mentioned before, I'm new to brugs. Just was wondering...I have this brug, from a cutting. It seems that it's not getting any taller, but has TONS of leaves all up and down the stem. Is there any reason to remove these leaves, for the sake of the plant putting more energy into getting taller instead of into its leaves?
As usual, thanks for bearing with me! :)
I'm'a gonna watch this thread closely...gotta learn this too... :~}}
That is one beautiful healthy brug. What in the world is your secret? Please tell us.
She's a really healthy looking plant.
If she has slowed down a lot feed her more.
Also this could be a sign they are working on building a strong root system.
As long as she looks this luscious I wouldn't worry.
Different brugs have varying growth habits , some tree like and some bushier.
Personally , I don't feel that stripping leaves makes much difference. I look at them as little energy collectors for the plant.
Anyway this is my take on it.
Hope you get some beautiful blooms soon.
I only strip leaves if the plant is sickly or bug ridden .
All the gardners that look at my brugs say that I should take leaves off the bottom, that they are wasting their energy on making leaves, not buds. Course my brugs are the only ones they have ever seen. I dunno.
Please, some of you wise ones speak to this issue. I'm new too and have have wondered about this. Scooterbug makes sense but it would be great to hear from others. I have some with the entire lower stalk covered with small leaves and then a large leaved top. It looks silly.
The plant looks so healthy, I would not mess with it's food production, as that is what the leaves do. Unless the leaves start to yellow I would leave them alone. There will be time enough later in the season to pluck the lower leaves off to promote upper growth. It seems to have produced a new sucker already so I would not mess with it at this time.
Good looking plant.
I'm new to brugs BUT all-in-all they're still just plants that flower, albeit tropical.
You wouldn't go along and strip the lower leaves off of a canna lily, another heavy feeder and water lover. Nor hibiscus, peony or roses to name a few.
So I wouldn't do it. Foliage is needed for growth and with the bloom size of these brugs, I'd imagine they need all they can get. IMO
Thanks to everyone for their input! I think it likes the warm Florida sunshine, plus the fact that I baby the darn things LOL. It makes sense to me that all of the leaves are "energy collectors". I'll be sure to leave it alone and just stand back and wait. I guess I (we) get so overprotective that we forget Mother Nature has been taking care of things just fine for the past however-many years! :)
I'm a stripper of leaves. Mainly because I don't have enough room in the greenhouse to leave them on. I know that Monika believes in leaving the leaves on and I sure would if I could. Once outside, they keep their leaves until they start looking like they need to be removed. It won't kill the plant to remove some, but I'm sure Scoot's description as them being "energy collectors" is right.
I strip the larger leaves on rooting cuttings to encourage root growth, and the lower leaves on the ones outside once they start to get crowded, for better air circulation. But I don't really think either is 'required', just my own decision.
Ive seen several comments about what to underplant the brugs with to fill in the bare area.
Now I'm a bit confused. If it's common to strip lower leaves, it sounds like the knobby knees that need to be hidden are not natural. Planting something beneath the brugs means competition for water and nutrients. Unless the foliage is very unsightly, doesn't it make more sense to leave the foliage on? If they're leafed out to the ground then those big leaves will shade the root zone and reduce evaporation and don't they bloom at the top of the plant anyway?
I'll strip foliage or branches from monster tomatoes to maintain airflow but I don't then underplant. mulch, Mulch and MULCH. I prune to maintain airflow/reduce crowding with those fussy hybrid tea roses but thats in an effort to reduce the occurrence of blackspot. (notice I didn't say eliminate :) ) I do underplant climbing roses but they defoliate at the base on their own.
I'll always applaud what works for each individual.
I'm just trying to understand the why's and wherefore's of you long time brugmeisters. Your views are highly respected and appreciated.
blaine
This message was edited May 4, 2005 11:39 AM
Being a novice myself...I am going to try leaving the leaves on...they also insulate the plant and we are going into summer now. If that doesn't look like the right thing to do...I will leave them on.
I am SO decisive!!!
Carol
I just wish I had leaves. After having them out a couple of weeks ago and with the harsh winds that came up, I just about don't have any leaves left. But they are coming back, slow but surly.
Yesterday I put them all back out again, since the weatherman said he thought we've had our last frost. For once I hope he is right. There is some wind today and I am paranoid cause I keep going out and checking on them. I did transplant 3 of them that have Y'ed into a larger pot, the WM 19 gal. size. Man do they hold a lot of potting soil.
I also transplanted my new Peaches and Cream that I received from 8ftbed. But I am keeping it and my Maya in the house for a while.
I'm a pruner,I like to grow them as tree form.this does not mean that all info above is not correct,just everyone likes them in different forms.
This is Milk and Honey,one of Kyles Brugs,it will always have its spot here,this is a picture from last year,as you can see it has very long blooms.
I am getting ready to plant it now,as you can see,I let a sucker grow on it last year,after it takes root,I will remove the shorter old growth and have a taller plant.
Yeowwwza!
Makes perfect sense to me. Wouldn't be as dramatic if you had foliage to the ground that put angles in your dangles and deforming the blooms if they have to rest on or hide under heavy leafs. Plus, you've produced a straight trunk and having only natural mulch underneath compliments and accentuates rather than competes with those long blooms.
uhhhh, where are you going to throw the old trunk?
The old trunk will be logged out,so as to have a back up and some to share.
Rootdoctor is there another name for the Milk and Honey?
I think the real name is Milk 'N Honey, but can't remember for sure. It's one of Kyle's creations.
Sorry,I believe Shirley is correct,Milk N Honey.
You said it is one of Kyle's creations, so a person won't be able to find one to buy?
There could be someone out there selling it. You would just have to check around and see. Native Habitat might have them listed again. I just don't know. If Bob is going to log out the old part of his, maybe you could talk him into some kind of trade. LOL!
I have one milk and honey it is about 6ft. tall. just now forming a Y this plant is going to make a really nice standard. Some brugs don't form standards well they are more of a bushy plant. The sooner they form Y's that creates a bushy plant..the taller they are before they form a Y gives a nice standard.If you are able to keep your plant in ground you have a much easyier time forming standards. Also if you really want tall standard or tree type try cuttings from below the Y this gives more height befotre it Y's. Good luck you all. I love my standards but I also love the shorter ones to plant levels in my garden.
Okay kids, nooone has address the sucker situation. Do you cut them off like other plants? I have one on mine and I have been waiting to see what happens. Also, if I cut it off, am I able to use it from more brugs? Thanks...
Hap
I wait till mine lose some of that real green look...when they start to harden,I cut them and root them the same as any cutting
Thanks cinnabor...........
Here's a site to buy the Milk N Honey
http://www.brugmansiasetc.com/brugcomplist.html
I'm like root, I like the tree look so I prune mine the same as he. It's just your preference and very simple to do as he stated.
Good luck
Julie
This message was edited May 4, 2005 7:46 PM
I prefer tree forms tall ones especially, but if the bloom is super and it smells like heaven, and loves the heat/humidity, I'll take them anyway they want to grow, like my PB and Rosamond. The main reason I prune back, is because it seems they are less attractive to bugs if their bottoms are tided up...
Julie that site is in Canada. I don't believe they send to the States.
Hmm, I'll have to go check that site out. Angel Grove seeds is in Canada, which is where I order my deciduous and coniferous tree seeds. Only have a 80x110 lot so instead I start trees from seed, grow on for a year or 2 and give away / swap.
update... Canada site doesn't state it's shipping policy to U.S., so for kicks I sent an email. Found this place that's got stuff I haven't heard of before, plus the Milk n Honey
http://brugmansias.net/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55
This message was edited May 5, 2005 1:59 AM
This message was edited May 5, 2005 10:42 AM
Oooooooooops lol sorry, well the Canada peeps will love to know that. lol...I should have read that much better. sorry :-)
Julie
Hugs
2nd site is "order and root" so you pay up front and wait 30-120 days depending on the size and time of year. Patience isn't my strong suit when I'm new plant pursuit.
