Isabella is becoming quite HUGE!!! Not that it's a bad thing, that's for sure, but this fall, I'm definitely going to have to trim her up so that I can fit her through my door. Actually, I had not realized how big she has gotten until I put her in the garage this morning to protect her from the storms they were predicting today. She takes up 1/2 of the width of the garage space. And, yes, I look funny carrying her around, but that's another story (I actually have 2 such stories). She also has two suckers (?, shoots?) that are both over 2 feet tall.
Because she's so huge, and I want to park my car in the garage this winter, what is the best way to to cut her so that I can give people cuttings and such? Also, what should I use? Saw? Chain saw? Her stems are pretty thick, and since I haven't done this before, I thought what better place than here to ask.
Many thanks!
Cuttings How to?
Hi Felicia
I use pruning shears and pruning loppers for the larger branches. I have also used a small saw when I feel really mean....LOL
It's good to hear your brugs are doing so well and your being so protective of them. Gee what we go through for these guys. I try to get cuttings that are 6" long and as thick as my thumb.
You can cut them back pretty drastic when you bring them in for the winter. I don't know if you are aware I bring mine in and they go down in a basement for the winter. Little water and little light for almost 6 months. I will supply a couple of pics to show how quickly they recover.
This is a photo taken back in April. The brug in the black tub with the green arrows is the one I'm talking about.
Kin,
That's truly amazing. Thanks for the before and after pictures. Oh, and I hadn't even thought about pruning shears. DUH!!
I've read so many posts about how people cut their Brugs way back before frost and overwinter them in basements, garages, etc., and how they grow to be huge again the next season. And, in the back of my mind I've been thinking "no way do they grow that fast." But, after having Isabella for only a month now, and seeing the difference between the time I got her and today, and seeing your pictures, I now realize how this can be true.
As I'm selfish about my garage in the winter, because I don't like scraping frost, snow and ice off my "baby," I'm going to bring everything in and keep them in the guest bedroom with the vent closed and lights off.
I'm very excited about next year, because all of my plants will be well established and my patio will be simply gorgeous with the brugs, hibiscus, datura, and mandevilla in bloom with roses off to the side. At least, that's my plan. :)
Thanks again, Kin for your help! Hope the weather breaks for you like it has finally done here! Right now, it's 68 degrees with a high temp of 80. Haven't seen that for a while!