Hello and help! (please?)
Limited knowledge of Brugs and such, but getting by.
Recently repotted a number of Brug cuttings into one gallon pots
for the winter. Included in the grouping is one labeled
Iochroma Australe, which I understand is a relation of
sorts to the Brug?
Anyhow. Everyone else is doing fine, but the IA is dropping
it's leaves. As it seems more woody than a Brug, would I
be correct in assuming it needs more water than the Brugs?
It has new growth, no yellow leaves, but the tips are dry on
the top of the plant, with new growth below.
Could anyone assist? Thank you so much for your help.
Karen Marie
Brugs doing fine, but Iochroma dropping leaves?
My apologies, I just found the following thread addressing overwinter of
Iochromas.
:-)
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/665934/
No need for apology! A new thread may yield new info.
Such as: I put my stripped Iochromas in my basement cellar stairs (under the bulkhead- sort of a makeshift root cellar) about 3 weeks ago, and just checked them Sunday. They're doing ok. A little growth shows that they're alive at any rate. The temperature is staying around 50 degrees, though it will get colder once winter actually gets going here in Northern Ct. They're in complete darkness with my brug and some fuchias. I originally had them bagged for moisture retention, but they got a little moldly, so I took the bags off. My plan is to check them monthly and give them a little water if needed, (and yank them all out if they look like they're not happy!) They grew well, but did not bloom last summer, so I'm giving it a good effort for next season.
Iochromas are relatives to brugs. They're both in the Solanaceae family. Check out the plant files search, there's good info there too.
Since you're not making them go dormant, I'd say water them regularly, and mist occassionally, but don't let them get soggy. You may want to get a magnifying glass and get a good look at those dry tips you mentioned. When I had dry tips on a brug, I discovered spider mites.
Another trick I heard about for increasing humidity- elevate your plants over hot(ish) water in your tub with the curtain or shower door closed. I leave my mandevillas in mine for a few hours once a week, and they stopped dropping leaves. Oh, the things we do!
Good luck-