New to Brugs and seeds. Help!!

Hi am officially a 5 month gardener and a two month owner of a brug. It was given to me by a wonderful DGer. Anyway, It had bloom and now is setting seed. The pod is getting bigger. As I know NOTHING about seeds of any kind, I was wondering if there was a link or if someone could give me advice on how to treat the pod and plant. What to watch for and when to know it has reached maturity. Can I take cuttings for the other parts of the tree or will I disturb the seed pod. I don't want to do anything to mess this up as it is way too exciting. I am sure this has been discussed at length, but this forum is HUGE and I tend to get lost.

Thanks,
Traci

Hi Traci, welcome to a very addicting hobby. It takes a number of months for the seed pod to mature. The stem on the seed pod will turn brown. The seed pod may too. Once the stem turns brown and dries up, you can cut the pod off. The cork that surrounds each seed will be a dark brown color when the seeds are ready. Spread the separated seeds out on a couple of paper towels to dry before storing the seed.

If the plant is large enough, removing cuttings should not be a problem. However, cuttings take a lot longer to root at this time. So waiting until spring to take cuttings might be something to consider. Is there a reason you want to take cuttings now?

Not really, well somewhat. I am getting the big D and don't know when I am moving. It could be weeks or a year. I would rather hold off if at all possible, as I have tons of stuff I am digging out of the ground. Let him deal with the holes. Opps, sorry. Anyway, I didn't start gardening until July, but someone loved this yard. I am getting everything out and potting it up or storing until I move. Here is an example of a small area of the yard.

Dug up and an example of the "treasure trove". I have a 25 gal box halfway full now.

So you see, I am kinda stuck. Cuttings now for fast get away for my nightmare or leave them be to work on the yard.

Do I continue to water it on a regular basis or do I water less? Do I need to fertilize it? Thanks!!

H Traci,
Welcome to BRUG addiction, it starts as 1 & on & on we go:) You will really enjoy them, I would leave it be & work on the yard be ever so careful to miss a flower here & there so after the Big D, he can see what used to be that is no more.
Good luck to you:)Anita

Thanks for the laugh. I call it the mine field. Leave brugs free?!?! HOW!!!

Traci, you didn't say whether the Brug is in the ground or in a pot. Either way, in Zone 7b, it needs to be protected from freezing weather. In your area, the Brug will freeze to the ground. Unless it's mulched heavily, the roots may also perish. If the plant is in a pot, put the pot inside or in the garage. In either case, it would be a good idea to take cuttings. You could try to take the entire branch that contains the pod, but don't be surprised if the pod shrivels up. I've not had success keeping a seed pod going on a cutting.

Hey Betty,
Sorry about that. It is in the garage with heat in a pot. I want it to go dormant, but also want to wait until the pod develops. I REALLY don't want to lose it. I know it may be nothing, but I think it is so cool watching it get bigger and bigger and then trying to grow it. Also something to keep me distracted. :^) I really appreciate your help. Do I continue watering as normal? Do I need to fertilize. I will do whatever it takes.

I think the addiction started when I first saw a picture of it. I had not even seen one in "real life." How sad.

In cold weather, growth will slow down so you don't have to water as much. Very little if it does go dormant. Mine are in a heated greenhouse. Daytime temperatures can easily get up into the upper 60s, lower 70s and every once in a while into the 80s. So they don't go dormant. The growth slows down. So I do water just not as often and I wait until the soil is dryish. I prefer to err on the dry side as tt is so much easier to get root rot in cold weather. Since the plants continue to grow, I give my plants a weak fertilizer solution about once or twice during the winter. I find that giving them a little bit of food, keeps them healthier.

You need to decide whether you want your Brug to go dormant or to keep it growing. To get it to go dormant, you'll have to keep it in a cool dark place. Reduce the watering. Don't fertilize. To induce them to keep on growing, you need to provide a good light source, keep the temperature above 50ºF, water when the soil on the dryish side and give a small dose of fertilizer.

Thanks for starting this thread, Traci! You know I needed this information, too! :) I am a newbie to the Brug addiction as well, and loving it! :) Hope you and Teensy are having a Merry Ole Time for the Holidays! Merry Christmas to everyone!
Love ya gurlfriend, Tammy

LOVE the picture, Traci! Gorgeous brug.

Thanks Bettydee. That is about the temp my garage stays. It doesn't get colder than 60 degrees. I think I will try to just keep them growing, per your directions. Wish me luck.

Hiya Tammy!!

Pudgy, thanks!! It is pink frost or frost pink. I can't remember. It was my first ever bloom. Now I need hundreds of them to make me happy. Off to look under the couch cushions for change....

Oh My pupil,you sure have a lot on your agenda right now. Be safe and careful of yourself☺

I'm going to try to follow your instructions too Bettydee☺

Thanks for this thread because I have my first ever DGer Brugs in the basement and it stays between 62 to 66degrees with some light from a west window. There are no blooms yet,but they are agrowing so I won't have to let them go dormant. Oh how I long for a bloom☺

When it comes to plants, sure and careful are not two words that come to mind. In fact, I am not positive I know what these words mean. lol.

Just be sure to be careful with them! LOL
Smarty pants I am! HA HA HA