Hi...
I've been coveting this plant for a while - and determined that I would try my hand at growing one this year - I'm near Cape Cod/Mass - Zone 6/5. Brought this HUGE, beautiful plant home from the nursery's greenhouse today - it's about 2' tall with tons of GIANT leaves and already 5 blossoms. I put it in my courtyard, against a brick wall today - where it'll get full sun after 12pm. Now I'm panicing because it's supposed to be in the 40s tonight....here are my questions....
i put it in the unheated garage tonight - will that be OK?
is it ok to be putting it outside now during the day?
i'm suddenly worried about bringing it in the house because of my cats - any advice about this? i know that it's poinsonous...
should i put this in a shady spot instead of full sun?
any special kind of fertilizer?
any advice?
any help is MUCH appreciated - i will take a pic of it and post it so you can see.
oh - and it's got a white flower. can't wait to see 'em - just hope that I don't kill it before then!
kara
1st Brug - HUGE one - 40s tonight?
HI Kara, My brugs. do fine as long as it is in the 40's at night. And yes they should be fine outside during the day. We are finally getting into the high 70's and low 80's, but even when it was 60 degree's outside during the day, it was fine for my brugs. I have yet to hear of a pet dying because of these plants . Not to say it is impossible, but I have been on Dave's Gardens for about four years now, and have yet to hear about problems with pets. I put mine in full sun or morning sun and afternoon shade. Here where I live in Calif. We can get up into the low 100's during the summer. I have found that the one's in sun until around 2pm and shade in the afternoon do the best, but other's that live in N.Y. could give you better advice. I personally use the Rose's systemic fertilizer on mine. When they are gallon sized and planted in the ground, I give them 1/2 cup once a week, and as they get bigger, I give them 1 cup a week and I kind of work it into the soil around the plant and then water it in. I make sure the fertilizer isn't right up against the trunk of the tree. I hope this information is of help to you. I love these plants and know you will get great satisfacton growning them.
Patricia
One thing that I think is important, is that when you buy something from the greenhouse, you might need to harden it off a little and not put it in lots of sun to start with. They will do well in a shaded area for a few days, adjusting to the new temps while there, and then gradually, you can put them in some sun. Taking some plants from protected areas into full blown outside environment, can cause problems. I'm not saying you can't get by with it, but it is easier on the plants to have them adjust before putting them in the sun or high wind areas.
I also bought one from a greenhouse and gave it sun too quickly, it slightly scorched a couple of leaves. After a week I am now slowly giving it more sun and it seems fine. I also have some rooted cuttings I bought and they will spend time inside until the weather settles a little more. I can see that it is a good thing I don't have more room or I would become seriously addicted!