Would appreciate some advice

In an effort to make a standard, I have been told I can cut a lateral from the main trunk, below the y, root it, and grow it on. What I forgot to find out was how long should this lateral growth be before I remove it from the mother plant? It presently is about 8" long. Should I leave this stem alone for the time being, or can I remove it now knowing it will grow tall before developing a y? All suggestions will be appreciated.

Tussee

Tussee, I always leave my suckers on the plant for they grow up so fast, must faster than when on their own. Now when you say a lateral, do you mean just a side branch or a sucker?

Brugs can put out suckers from below the soil line and also from the bottom trunk of the plant. They are quite identifible because they take off like a rocket and go straight up. Perfect for making standards from.

And here is a helpful hint: if you want more suckers fast, do not cut it off flush to trunk. Just leave a few nodes on the stump and you will ge more shoots. I know it doesn't look great but oh well. LOL. I fidn these shoots do not grow as big as the orignial sucker, but they sure are fat and happy and fast.

Here are 2 threads you might find helpful. I love standards and even when I have a bush brug I wait for it to sucker a standard then I get my lollipop tree.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/409614/
and
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/554205/

Thank you Kell for the information. MY question concerns a side branch from the main trunk below the y. Will it act like a sucker if I cut it off and root it or do I need to leave it alone until it has reached the length I want? Maybe I should ask, have you ever started a standard form from a side branch below the y? I so appreciate your taking the time to respond as I'm sure you have to grow tired of answering these newbie questions. I searched everywhere for the information I need and could not find anything on growing out a side branch below the y.

Tussee

Oh Tussee, I never get tired of newbies. I was one once and I am again with so many new plants I am now interested in all over Dave's. And besides, I like you a lot! LOL.

And no I never have! I always wait for a sucker to start. They go so fast and are so easy.

If it is just a regular sidebranch, I doubt it will get as tall as you want. I am trying to think back to when I tried growing just a regular sidebranch as a cutting. The truth is, I give them away before they grow much. LOL. It seems to me they Y real short.

If someone comes along smarter, I bow to them. But in the meantime, I would leave it on the mother and foliar feed it a lot trying to get it to grow big for you. I would wait to take it off for it still will grow quicker on a healthy well cared for Mom for it has a huge root system to feed it. If it doesn't grow straight though, you will need to cut it off.

I say try! It never hurts to try!

Thank you Kell - the feeling is mutual!

Tussee

LOL Tussee.

So is Tussee your real name? I just love it. It says FUN to me and always makes me smile!! Has anyone else told you that? I wonder if it has that as a universal effect.

If I were to have a little girl, I think I would call her that. Seeing that I am way too old for that, I can either convince my son to name his future daughter that may be that or I may just have to settle for when I get my little petite girl puppy I am dying to have.

My real name is Patsy Ann but I love Tusseemussee as it sounds so carefree and happy to me. I have used this name on different forums for a long time, and it does seem to solicit a certain amount of interest. Only the Victorians could have thought up this word. I think Tussee would be an excellent name for a female puppy as the name just rolls off one's tongue. Don't wait too long for your puppy - there's a sweet one out there waiting for your love and affection.

Tussee

Yes, carefree and happy! Funny, you cannot be a Patsy Ann to me now. Forever more you are Tussee. LOL

I would get a pup tomorrow but my husband says I have to demonstrate I can take care of myself before I can get a dog. And he is not kidding. I am very self indulged, The older I get the less I do that I do not want to do. My just ignore it switch is on on all the time now. LOL

Lol. My Mother desperately wanted a particular doll made in the 30's but her parents could not afford it. It's name was Patsy Ann. After my Mother told me the story I set out to find the doll and I've attached a photo of Patsy Ann in her original clothes. When I offered to give it to Mother, she said she had her own now and certainly (lol) did not need another! Now that you are retired, you could get one of those cloth shoulder bags and carry your puppy wherever you go. Keep it with you all the time. As you encourage others to do, Kell, just do it!

Tussee

I just do, do most things or so my husband tells me, so you have my number. LOL. But besides my husband, I also have a cat that found me a few years ago and she does not leave my side. She is my best bud. She even sleeps with her head on my shoulder hugged in by my arm and gives me love pats all night long as if to make sure I am really there with her. I sure woud not want to hurt her feelings.

That Patsy Ann doll is so beautiful and so 30s. I love old things. That story about your Mom is so endearing too. So now you both have a Patsy Ann, both are so great! LOL Where did you finally find one? I bet now you could find one on eBay if you looked long enough. Though yours looks just perfect.

When I was growing up, it was a Shirley Temple doll I remember wanting most. I still can picture it. And when I finally got it, I left it out in the rain. Oh no!!

I found Patsy Ann at an antique show where I was exhibiting and was delighted with her condition. Fortunately, she is marked on the back of her neck so I knew I was buying the right doll. Sorry you lost your Shirley Temple - that must have been a horrible incident for you. Your kitty reminded me of my Molly. I have three dogs and Molly and they are all great friends with nary a sign of jealousy between them. I did try to bring in another kitty once, but Molly would have no part of it living here. She attacked it with the intention of killing the poor thing. Oh, conversing with you is fun as I am so bored today. The temperature is 90 outside, so I quickly fed the koi and hurried back inside. I refuse to do any housework as I've already done that once, lol.

Tussee

I need to get in gear and get to work outside. I am so lazy. I love your pillow there. Molly looks like she is queen bee. LOL. I know when Gab came home with me, our oldest cat Nick would hardly come in for over a year. He never liked her. Our other 2 cats hate her too. I feel sorry for her being so shunned. She is more human than cat anyway.

So what were you exhibiting at the antique show Tussee? I used to spend lots of weekend going to a new place and hitting their antique shops and nurseries. I still would but I am so out of room in my house. I still hit the nurseries though I shouldn't.

I can imagine your heart skipping a beat when you spied that Patsy Ann doll the first second. I bet you thought that is going to be mine! I remember the feelings well. The excitement. And you go up trying not to show your excitement, thinking will the price be ridiculously high but hoping for low. LOL. And then negotiations start. Part of my fun was getting the price way down. I have been doing this on eBay on a certain designer's earrings I like a lot, but it is not as much fun as doing it in person or as effective.

eBay has made me so lazy!

Well you could come clean my house, it is a disaster.

Here is my Molly Mouse. She is more my husband's true love. She is like those Raggedy Ann cats, her mini body molds to yours. I wish she loved me too.

Through the years we have had a number of pets and all of them seemed to have a preference for either my sweetheart or me - never both of us to the same degree. The scene with the pillow is in Kendra's bedroom. I may love this room the most as everything just flows so well and has the vibrant colors I enjoy. Kendra has her own place now (thank goodness as she is so messy) so I was able to decorate and furnish the room with things I love, knowing she would not ruin something. A good part of me is in that room, a room I would have thought close to Heaven had I had it growing up. Better late than never. I sold antique glass, lamps, dolls, and porcelains. I still sell some things on ebay, but it has been almost a year since my last sale. My ebay selling name is Treasuretique. Once gardening time is over, I will resume sales as I have been picking up items here and there. I find it very time consuming to sell on ebay; I far prefer to buy! The world is at our doorstep, or should I say our pc.

Tussee