She's about to ....

to the datura seeds experts, give me some luck, I can't seem to get them to germinate, getting very frustrated! Clem

Beck, I don't know where Petersburg is. What part of Tn. is it in? I live in West Tn.
Audrey

CMDELG, I'm far from being an expert, I got my first dat in Ala. from a friend's sister. It was white. I'd love to have some of color! They may be harder to grow.
Audrey

Audrey..
we are 1 hr south of Nashville.. in the middle of the walking horse stuff.. and I don't know what I did.. but have read the dats are slooooow to germinate, and got lucky I guess. I soaked the seeds for 24 hours.. give or take... in water and hydrogine peroxide... maybe a teaspoon to 2 cups of water. I placed the seeds in the seed starting pellets, and barely covered them. Put them under lights. I think it was 3 weeks before I saw growth. I misted several times a day, and bottom watered when I thought they needed more. It did seem that when I bottom watered a few came up, so maybe I didn't keep them damp enough. I also didn't keep the light low enough, so mine were a little leggy. I read where you want the light 2" above the tip of the plant leaves.. mine was probably 6-8". That was my first seed starting experience for flowers... and boy did I ever pick one that tried my patience! But the outcome will be beautiful if I can see the flowers!

Good grief you have had a long talk while I slept.. No rain today, weeding, weeding, weeding, weeding,

Audrey, I agree with you. Jimson weeds stink! Anyone that raises livestock around here continually digs them up or burns them, because for some reason the cows and horses cannot understand its poison. But the jimson weeds, datura and brugs are supposed to be all closely related.. I bet your neighbor's datura bed is beautiful and I would get some if I were you. Aunt B, we have what we call a moonflower vine here that blooms only at night, of course, Now, they smell heavenly!

Beck, so glad you finally got that rain :) I will think about the Tyler RU but right now traveling is on hold until I get the final word from my daughter's surgeon.

Clem, you are always trying something new... how many new plants are you working with? That's a lot of work, but it will be beautiful. :))

Anjl, do you have an arbor yet? I know you had the 12 seeds, and now the cuttings and our own pink, how many brugs are you planning for this walk? Whatever the number, maybe you could have DH make you a street sign, "16 Brug Walkway" or "1000 Brug Walkway"

Back to weeding, weeding, weeding, weeding... Merpeg / Peg

Audrey the seeds I am trying to grow is called Blackcurrant purple swirl, beautiful purple, they are supposed to smell heavenly. I am waiting and waiting, the weather is warm now so maybe something will happen this week!
Beck, I think I am going to follow your advise, will try to soak the extra seeds I have and wait!
And yes Peg, I am triyng all sort of things this year, including many different vines that I have not grown in the past. It is just fun watching everything starting to grow, so lets see igf these Daturas give a sign of life, can't stand it. I usually have a green thumb but it is not working for a change! Oh well!
Clem

Beck, that plant was thriving on begnin neglect when it produced that bunch. Looking back that picture was taken right after Hurricane Francis passed through in 2004. Huge oak tree from neighbor's yard had fallen just missing the bananas --provided protection during the rest of the storm. Talk about luck.

Good luck with yours.

TY abbisgranma!! I can't believe that banana went through a hurricane and looked like that afterwards... but you know... we went through Rita.. it blew our french doors in and leaves and water were everywhere, and all my pretties sitting on the tables etc. never moved... Strange how those kind of things happen... just reminds us who is still in charge, and it aint us!!

You have that one right. Enjoy your banana just gave me an opportunity to show our volunteer off in all is splendor (?)

abbisgrana, nice babananas, don't you miss them? Clem

Nope. They were invasive and was constantly keeping them under control. Didn't produce every year.

Oh, but I bet when they did, delicious! Clem

Yes, you are right. They were what we referred to as Lady Fingers and really different. My late husband loved them!! He keep the forest under control and the mess that came with that particular type cleaned but after his passing it was more than I could handle. We had a huge yard. I understand they are doing well and the present owners have been getting bananas. That makes me feel good.

At least you have good memories of them, sorry to hear about you hubbie! It is nice to know that eventhough you sold the house, the newcomers are taking care of your darling babies! That is a blessing! Clemen

Yes I do have good memories about the bananas but the house begain to be another matter. Lived there 35 years but the last year was extremely bad with his illness and somehow it overshadowed everything. We had bought where I am living now for our retirement home and were in the process of moving. I waited 2 years then sold and moved.

I do go by the house frequently and visit with my friends living around there. Know the buyers very well and they are always sending email about things we had in the yard. Gardening help you might say. So it isn't far from my mind. Just couldn't live in the house anymore by myself! Besides granddaughters are 6 miles away!! That says it all.

Abbisgranma, oh, nice memories alright and whoever bought your house must be wonderfull, to still keep in touch with you. I have bought and sold many houses and I never want to hear from the buyers, although our houses were fine, you just never knwo if the buyers will come up with some sort of problem that was not there when you lived there! I am glad everything has worked out for you and the grand kids nearby, oh well, it is wonderfull. Clemen

Thank you. I am very lucky I know, having a very good relationship with the buyers. They do like the house and have done a wonderful job maintaining the landscaping we had done. Also have done areas we weren't able to do. Young couple with a young daughter and a son due the end of July. It is a wonderful house and location to raise children.

Nice chatting. I am always watching this thread learning what I can about the brugs...

Nite for now.

abbisgranma... Sorry about the loss of your DH.... I know that was extremely hard on you! Isn't it nice though that your home for 35 years with DH is renewed with new young life!!!

I love the idea of a sign... 23 Brug Walk! LOL! I have a scroll saw (my wonderful DH bought me one for valentines day! lol!) so I could make that sign myself! thanks for a great idea :o)

as for the datura seeds... I too am trying to grow black currant swirl.... I was told that they need cold in order to germinate...(opposite of the brugs) and that they do take a long time to germinate. although mine heve been in the seedling trays for about 4 weeks and nothing yet! ugh! I'll google and see if I can find where I got the directions... but I've been keeping mine inside, and out of sunlight...maybe thats wrong? does anyone know?

I did have another brug seed germinate today.... I sowed those 4 weeks ago too! I have no patience! LOLOL!

anjl.... On the ones I did, I had a heating pad under the metal cookie sheet I had them in for about 3 weeks... only on low. Then was talking to another dger and she said no bottom heat so I turned it off. About 3 days later my first ones started sprouting... a little tiny purple half cirlce thing. That was the beginning!!..lol everything I have read says bright lit window sill, or top light, but so many people have germinated them sooo many different ways, that it got confusing for me... course doesn't take much..lol

I have the black currant swirl seeds and wanted to try those too, but my patience wore out on the ones I started, and I only have a little desk type floressence lamp.. (how do you spell that word?) so I can't do too many at the time

I am dreaming of a greenhouse............

You guys have given me the kick in the patootie I needed to get my little yellow dat in the ground. It's on the list for this weekend along with the brugs and hibiscus. Becky, I too dream of my very own greenhouse, I'd feel like the luckiest midwest gardener, a dream come true! I'm starting to gather parts and pieces as I find stuff and I've got my feelers out with a demolishion crew, they sometimes tear down buildings with big glass windows (missed out last time).... I'm still determined to have one, someday. Everyone will know where they can find me. I told my kids, I play outside more now than they did when they were little.

I potted three from my neighbors crop yesterday. They're the white ones. If they don't live, I'll go get some more from her!

Hello, everyone! Just checking in after work.

We have started our veggies from seed in Jan/Feb, but I rarely have tried it with the flowers, but I just put them on the windowsill and they do well here. I do have some hostas blooming that I want to try to grow the seeds, so we will see. More ideas keep coming :))

A greenhouse, oh I wish. A friend of mine just happened to drive by when a nursery had gone out of business and he picked up two big ones that they were just hauling away to the dump. I never could talk him in to sharing. I even baked cookies :)) So, I keep my eyes peeled all the time now.

On the banana fruit thing, about 20 years ago we researched this. Most varieties then took 10 months of heat to produce fruit. Otherwise, no fruit, just ornamental. I am sure there are new varieties since then, but I think it will depend greatly on your zone whether you get fruit. I have never seen any fruit in zone 7 outside of a greenhouse. Went straight back to the greenhouse. LOL!!

Got to get outside, more rain predicted this weekend, so I'd better get busy. That's my excuse anyway. My brug keeps teasing me with what I think is a Y and then here comes a new leaf right in the middle. I think this plant is developing a real attitude with me!

Aunt B... I looked on the greenhouse forum and got an idea for a "hoop house".. I think that was what he called it.... Soooo easy to build, and cheap!!.. Now I like that! Look that up and maybe we both can be a little closer to getting a green house.. that is if we can find anybody to help us build it !!! LOL

Thanks, Becky. I have a plan printed out, the one using the livestock panels, is that the one you found? I might try one for starting annuals and cuttings in, they do look very functional and inexpensive and I think I understand how to contruct it..., I have tools... I want to grow my brugs and hibiscus during winter... I don't think it would be tall enough for some of my big brugs... guess I could make it taller by making the width narrower....... hmmm... I was thinking more like a cinderblock foundation up 2 or 3 feet from the ground, then salvaged glass windows on the sides up 4 or 5 ft more (or however I can fit the windows) and poly panel roof. It would be great to find some old crank type windows. I'm keeping an eye peeled for the blocks and glass. I should build a hoop house for next spring, it would appease me for a couple years until I can "gather" enough material for the permanent one. I'd really like to open a nursery in my backyard with the greenhouse being the main building and then as many hoop houses as I can fit for spring annuals, but that's another dream. Thanks for jogging my mind on the hoop houses, Beck. Sounds like a mom/son (he'll be 19) late summer project to me. I have the brains and the tools and he'll have the muscle..lol I'd sure help you get one up if we lived closer. Peg, you made cookies and he still didn't share? That's just not right. Maybe he likes pie. I do know of a "metal tube" greenhouse.. they don't use it, but it is huge! It looks kind of funny just the frame sitting there naked. It would take a LOT of plastic to cover it and energy in the winter. I think it's probably too big for me, BUT if they would GIVE it to me, for beautifying their property..... (Goldilocks wants to find one juuuuuuuuuuust right. lol) I should really inquire about it, worst that could happen is they want too much money for it but, then I'd know.

AuntB, you've got to ask about that tube greenhouse, really!! They might just give it away, if someone would haul it. And find some electricians, see if they will save the discarded heavy plastic fluorescent light covers for you. They would filter the light a bit, but hey, I think they would work and those get discarded, too.

Nah, that friend was definitely a cooky guy, I could just not get him to budge. With my husband's friends I have cooky guys, cake guys and then some go all the way up to chicken dinner. But I usually can get done what I want with a little bribing...but let me tell you, the dinner guys have to do a lot of work... My husband grew up here and when we married I inherited a bunch of big brothers. My house is the gathering place during football season because they know I will cook. That's how I get work done in my garden...we've had tree trimming parties, shoveling parties, leaf raking parties, you get the picture..

I have been thinking about a lean-to type small greenhouse on the back of the garage, but there is an iris bed there, so that has to be moved first. It needs to be moved anyway, I haven't divided it in years. Come fall, anyone want some NOID bearded irises, (purple, yellow, peach, white and an unusual brownish color) just let me know. Peg

I just received some brugs in the mail, one rooted and 3 babies. I was so excited to put them in their own homes. Now I hope I treat them with the love they need. Says they like morning sun and afternoon shade so here I am stalking out the yard to find the right place for them. I move plants around a lot, most of them are in containers. The rooted brug had a "bud" on it but fell off in transit, but I will be patience and wait for a new one.

Samigal, good luck with them and I hope you get blooms this season, that is what we all are looking for!!!! Clem

Alright Samigal, you've got your brug on... :))

That's a takeoff of an old saying about "having your groove on". It does not mean anything bad at all. And now I've really showed my age. Lov ya Peg

Oh peg, we are just hottie chicks, that's all! Clem

Okay, Clem, I am dying laughing.. DH is asking what is going on. "Hottie chicks?" Maybe an ex-hottie old hen in my case. Thanks! Peg

No such thing as an ex-hottie when your a hottie your a hottie for life!!!!

beautifull for ever and ever! And age, who cares we come in all colors and flavors and ages! Clem

LOL girls.. I remember that groove thing too.....

No.. Aunt B... this is 6' in the center.... so it is quite large... wish I could remember better... but I think he said it only cost about 150 bucks!! And it was long too!! I don't know how to do this hyperlink stuff or I would look it up for you. I think it was on a thread janlynn started about 1 month ago... BUT......
GOSH... you might could get that greenhouse for free... just to get it of their property.. heck they might say no.. but then they might say YES!! AND TY for the sweet offer to come help build me one.. I might take you up on that one day!!

samigal... congrats...on the brugs.... which ones did you get

Clem... hottie chicks??? LOL I am HOT but it was because I mowed all day..LOL. then I went to see my Momma in the nursing home and went by Lowes.. the girl told me about selling plants dirt cheap, and they weren't that bad!! I got about 350 worth of plants for less than 50.. I am talking $... I have a Pontiac Vibe.. and I tell you.. there was NOT a spot to put anything else in there...LOL I love those bargains... no brugs though..

Once a "Hottie", always a "Hottie"! Just takes some of us longer to discover that!!! ;=D

I'm doing it! I'm going over there and just knock on the door and ask. Thanks for the nudge, Peg! I never thought of those plastic light cover panel things! I have one from the units I got (some panels broken -$10 at Lowes) for the basement last Fall. I left them off for more light.... I'll run over there after work, IF we don't have bad storms... (Bad last night on the way home, very exciting drive, felt like a storm chas-ee, very fun- I like to watch storms) Becky!!! I LOVE those kind of bargains! Way to go. Maybe I'll check out our Lowe's.. Now the greenhouse, it can't be that hard to de-contruct, I hope hope hope they want someone, like a "Hot" AuntB, to take it off their hands....
Yesterday the gal that works with me sent me an email - subject was "for ALL the hot women" - I made some snide comment about lukewarm or something but I opened it and there was the cartoon character MAXINE-- coffee cup in hand and about 12 of those little round 1950's looking fans... cute!! Hey! I have little $6 Dollar General fans planted all over, the bed stand, end table by where I watch tv, my desk at work... I bring em on vacation! And Doe confirms, so, I guess I AM still a hottie!! lol

.....once a Hottie always a hottie!!!

Scouting my yard. watching the sun. So excited!!!!!!

Wheeeeee!!! Aunt B.. you go girl.... get over there with your sweetest HOT smile ... I hope they just give it to you!!!!! I am excited for you!! Fans... I have them everywhere too..lol

OK..... ya'll are right.... WE ARE HOT!!!!

Yep abbisgranma.. I gotta get back outside too...

Okay,, so now our new thread is going to be Newbie Hotties??  LOL  Seriously ladies, all of you have too beautiful  of personalities not to be georgous!!  We already know that Anjl and Beck are hotties, we saw their pictures.

 I have fans sitting all around in my work office, ( I am lucky enough to work from home)  but my big dog gets right in front of them and gets sooo comfortable.   I love it that I work and he hogs all the air and snoozes!!
Good luck AuntB on that GH.  I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed. Maybe you can come storm chasing with me tonight.  We have some really dark bad looking clouds building up south and east of here.

Everyone have a wonderful, brugicious weekend. I've go to get outside. I've been cooped up all day working. Peg

I just got chased inside. The wonderful liquid sunshine decided to visit us!!! What a relief!!!!! Come on beautiful rain.