Winter Storage Questions

Well it got terribly cold and windy a few weeks ago.. so all of the Brugs came down before Thankgiving... missing all of their leaves.. they were put under one of the 400 watt Metal Halide lights.. they leafed out their big spring leaves... and toinght I have almost a dozen flowers on one of them.. one I call Texas Pink ... opening white and turnning a light pink growing inside.. a bit darker pink growing outside...
As it sits flowering right above the computer here.. and the lights went out at 11 PM.. it's fragrance is over powering... and I'm sure it will flower on and off all winter..
The question is... how can folks not keep them up and running in the winter ... missing all of the pleasure and relief they provide... such an uplift to the day/night... it seems like quite a shame... OK.. it is a bit like total care of a relative... food ..water .clean up... most every day.. having to plan a vacation around turning over the care to someone else... watering the other day was a 30 gallon affair.. now I didn't say it was easy...
Just heavenly...
Gordon

Good for you. I wish I could keep them blooming, but my biggest problem is that I don't have the space to keep them in the house. Especially when I have a frost free garage to let them go dormant in. I have a few small plants in the house and all of my cuttings are in here, but right now I'm hurting for space for the 100 seedlings I'm growing. With all the lights I have going in the house right now, I'm not sure the electrical service could handle a MH bulb and the light bill would probably scare me to death. It's high enough right now. I'm hoping that one or two that are under strong light and in front of an east window..will give me some blooms before long.

OH..another bonus of just keeping them up and running.. Here's Ollie..sporting a seed pod... Gordon

Well..I find path ways through the plants... is one way to keep them inside.. and with 3 400 watt bulbs burnning.. it helps on the heat... and there's not much need for additional lighting from the house lights... and there's the plumeria blooming also..another bonus.. and the hibiscus... and the lambs ears.. and the oxalis.. and the ... well it does go on and on... but we all do what we have to... and I might even trade the house plants for a heated garage...sepecially with trying to find a parking spot in the snow... [comming soon they say ] Gordon

This message was edited Dec 4, 2006 3:15 AM

This message was edited Dec 4, 2006 3:23 AM

OH.. I forgot the Datura Blooming.. but that's another list...Gordon

LOL Gordon you have the touch! No doubt. So you have a humidifier going too for them? My plumies go dormant even if I bring them inside. My husband keeps us freezing in winter. I sit here in a winter jacket.

I would not mind the work, Gordon, but I cannot have anything in the house that could kill my 4 legged friends. My kitty and both puppies, occasionally chew on my plants, so if it does not fit in the gh, it goes to my heated potting shed. I do have a beautiful hibiscus in the breakfast room but all of the lower leaves look terrible due to chewing - and it's on a stand. It's good to read of your success and enjoyment. Quite frankly, even if I could have brugs. around the house, I doubt I could keep up with their needs. Just thinking about lugging around 30 gals. of water in one day sends a chill up my back. Lol.

Tussee

Gordon, your brugs are beautiful. Great to see something in bloom this time of year!
Do you keep all of your brugs in pots. I have recently received cuttings through very generous DGers. Ive had some tell me that being in 8b, I could plant them in ground, but I'm too scared to loose them.
Mary

Mary... well it seems all brugs are not the same as far as cold tolerance goes...but 8 A should be ok fo rmost...guess mulching is best... a dozen or so brugs I keep in long planters...22' long...so digging them out is like removing them from the ground .. I've only a 1/2 dozen blooming inside now... so it's almost bearable again.. more than a few dozen blooms inside is dangerous.. your new cuttings you should really have them in the house the first winter and next fall...takea few cuttings.. for insurance if something goes wrong outside.. Gordon