My noobieness is definitely showing through. I went on vacation without taking my bugs inside. It frosted last night, but not a hard frost. I think the low temp was either 35 or 36f. All brugs except one still has most of their leaves. Only problem with bringing them all in is my basement is heated and dark. The brugs outside are: Charles Grimaldi, Frosty Pink, White Conn, Rosamond, Pink Beauty, Pink Favorite, Peach Versicolor, Equador Pink, Cotton Candy, Kyle's Giant White and Arborea. Arborea actually has a bud on it, which surprised the heck out of me since I didn't know it had Y'd before I left.
What would be best way to proceed? They're all potted but soil is drenched since there's been so much rain here. The problem with bringing them all in is my basement is heated and dark. I do have a covered porch I can put on for them to dry out on, but they'll still be exposed to the cold air and low tonight is supposed to be 35f.
--Emily
Frost and outdoor brugs. Help!
Versicolors are supposed to be more sensitive to frost than some. Do you have frost much? Could be pretty risky. Could you give some temporary cover when you're going to get frost? They'll go dormant if you put them in the basement and will come back when you bring them out in the Spring. Perhaps others that live in your zone will have experience in this.
sorry to hear about that emily. i hope you can save them.
perhaps kin would see this thread.
Emily ~~
I had the same questions this morning!! Our first frost was last night, and all mine were out - but against the house so protected from actually getting frost on them. I guess they all go in the garage tonight...lower temps on the way for the next night or two... Do I take off the leaves?? Or will they fall off on thier own as they go dormant?? Never tried to over-winter them before....do I cut them back??
Oh - questions, questions!!
Jamie
I went outside and confirmed that the soil is soaked. :( Is it the frost that gets them or the low temps? I can drag a bunch of them up onto the porch in hopes they'll start to dry out. Low temp for tonight is 33f :( My poor bruggies!
I would go ahead and bring them in. The large leaves fall off by themselves so you don't have to remove anything unless you were planning to cut them back anyway. They will go dormant in the basement which is what you want. I had dug a bunch out of the ground and placed then into pots with fresh soil..watered and then put them in the basement and they all seem to be doing well. Good luck
Thanks Jazzpunkin ~~ I am moving mine into an unheated shed or the garage tonight....when do you cut yours back?? Mine are new to me this season, are around 4 ft tall, and have each Y'd once or more...although too late in the season to bloom. I just don't know wether to cut them back, or leave them alone....
Thanks for any advice anyone can give this newbie... :-)
Jamie
