Okay, Now I am gathering it alllllllllll up...

In anticipation of beginning a new passion of growing Brugs, I have gone down to my studio and took a bit of inventory.

I have:

Up-start Vitamin B1 plant starter
Schultz Take Root rooting hormone
Shultz Bloom Plus powder (10-60-10)
Miracle Grow plant food
and an ongoing supply of worm castings from my Euro Crawlers and Red Wigglers.

I have ordered
New Zealand Spaghnum Moss
Neem oil

I have two bags of commercial potting soil that has been sitting out in my garden shed for 2 years.

And lots of pots. Lots of sizes and colors.

So.................. I have some nice cuttings of my NOID peachy color Brug that I want to start new plants from just in case the one I have in the ground happens to freeze this winter...

Am I on the right track here?
Anyone got any advice or tips or whatever to help this novice.

Oh and I have a few extras to spare sitting in water...for sharing...

Brug Hugs,
Carolyn

Sounds like you have quite an arsenal of things to work with. I never used rooting compound much and when I did, I didn't feel that the cuttings took root any sooner than just sticking them in soil. It might make a difference at this time of the year, tho.

As for the bags of soil, check them to be sure they haven't molded. I had one over the summer in my garage and when I pulled it out this fall to use it, I found big clumps of mold in it. I'm not sure where I got it and I don't believe it was MG potting soil.

I've been told to root cuttings in small pots and when the roots come out the bottom, bump them up to a bigger pot. I've had good luck doing that, but laziness took over and I didn't want to do all that transplanting, so I just start several of the same kind in a one gallon pot now and in the early spring, I can transplant the one I want to a bigger pot to prepare for going outside after frost is no longer a threat.

Above all else, have fun with your brugmansia and don't let them become a chore. It's easy to attain burn out and then you AND your brugs can suffer. How do I know? It happened to me. I'm going to grow six next year and really get back to enjoying them.

So excited for you Carolyn! I can't wait to see the outcome of your Brug Heaven!

Thaks Brugie, I will check it to be sure.... and I am so excited about starting what hubby calls my "Brug Farm".. lol I really do need to keep the numbers within reason though.... Hubby did volunteer to help me with them though... what a sweetie...

Hi Brugie, it's very nice to see you lending some helpful tips to newbies. Carolyn, I learnt how to hybridize brugs from Brugie last year and I'm forever grateful to her. Have fun, and best of lucks.

Thanks,, I will be so happy to be able to learn to just grow them.. then I will maybe try my hand at hybridizing some... My grandma was a big hybridizer of Iris and Daffodils... so maybe I have some of her "Hybrid genes" eh? lol

You bet! It's in our blood. lol. Best of lucks to you, and likes Brugie's wise advice, remember to enjoy it along the way.
Kim

Warning ...once you pick up that artist's brush to play birds and bees ...be prepared for an instant addiction.
Once you see the almost instant results ...seed capsule enlarging almost overnight (in the case of the angels) you will be hooked ...like says Lily_love says enjoy the journey ...don't forget to fasten your seatbelt ...((((whoo hoo!

LOL, Chrissy! You meant like this 'okra' like seedpod? lol,lol.

Yeh mate! ^_^

Do you have to put a bag or such over the "fertilized" flower to keep it from being contaminated by natural means such as by a bumblebee? I recall my grandma had made little white bags out of muslin to cover up her "fertilizing the bloom".

Oh and Chrissy, I am already addicted !! Also addicted to iris, some daylilies, hollyhocks, morning glories, and hardy hibiscus too. But those I don't think I want to hybridize myself... Brugs are another whole story... But I really , really need to keep my selection down to a managable level.... I don't wanna get burned out..


This message was edited Oct 27, 2008 4:30 PM

What? burn't out? ...never
Yes you usually secure the mumma plant after an early morning visit with the artist brush ...whatever way you wish.