I've used the top of my aquarium lights, but Brugs don't normally need heat to germinate unless temps are really low. Household temps should be OK.
Brugmansia Gardening Ideas
if you have those puck lights under you kitchen counters, they are hot enough to germinate seeds. I do the coffee filter baggie method and sit the bag on top of my sugar container right under the puck lights.
what is the coffee filter baggie method?
I'll have to look for the link. You wet 1/2 of a coffee filter, squeeze out the water so it's damp. Put the seeds in it and fold it where you will have 1 layer of filter on one side and multiple layers on the other side. Put in a ziploc bag, I use the snack size bag, blow some air into it and seal it. This is really good for seeds germination. I usually get 80-90% germination. Of course if I have the hard coat seeds, I soak them first and clip the edge off to help germination.
I guess as soon as you see germination you put them into little pots?
I have plenty of hot air to blow into the bag. :)
The warmth will speed up the germination! LOL
LOL Jeanne, ....hey I have been using my curio cabinet as a "warmer" ( it is an old one but the lights at top and bottom still work)
How long does it take a seed pod to mature-----and how do you know when it is mature? I have a potted plant on my glassed in porch-----and the blooms are fading (leaves dropped off)----but the pod is still there. I keep the temp about 50-60
Shirleyd
The general rule is when seed pod turns brown. Usually if they're dry, the pod will pop open and drop the seeds inside.
And yes, you put them in little pot. Sometime, I put them in a water bottle, cut in half, with drainage
This message was edited Nov 28, 2008 12:04 PM
I have a curio cabinet, but it is in use. I may try the top of the hot water heater. Ok I'm ready to plant. yea!
The tin throw-a-way pan you cooked your turkey in - the tin pie pan - take a B B Q brick-ett. put in pie pan lite it set potted seed cup close cover with turkey pan next day the same . etc till it sprouts . The B B Q brick-ett puts off C0 2 and heat when burned , which helps germination .
May I join in your conversation? I am going to plant some Brug and Datura seeds. Can they be wintersown, or is it better to start them in my cool greenhouse? Thanks
Lynn zone 7b near Seattle, WA
LynnWeidman
I would start them where you have some control over temperature .
They freeze they eat the big one . [burg ]
They Brug seeds have a cork type seed case and can rot from to much water . They can suck up any salts in potting mix - soil and kill seed . A lot of people peel them . They also like CO 2 when germinating .
Datura seeds can be winter sown but the sooner they sprout the bigger the plant can get .
Thank you tonyjr. I read somewhere on the forum to light a charcoal briquette near it. Is this safe to do in the greenhouse (10x12 glass) ? Also, should I plant them in the big white growbags and bury them when I set them outside?
Do they grow well in front of a semi circle of bamboo? (attached picture)
Nuts, the image is so small, I cannot tell if this is the right pix or not. Sorry.
Here is the correct picture.
Thanks.
Lynn, start you seeds indoors. Regular household temperatures will do fine, but if you have a warm source of heat, that can be used to get the seeds to germinate. DO NOT use briquettes or any source that produces CO2 and CO. They are both lethal in high enough concentrations to both humans and plants. A small amount of CO2 can help after the seeds have germinated, but unless you have the commercial set-up to do it safely in the greenhouse, don't do it.
There are safer sources of heat if you feel it necessary to have a heat source. I have read in some old threads that extra heat is not needed and may harm the seeds. You can open your oven door far enough to get the light to come on. That provides enough heat. Incandescent light bulbs will provide heat, too much if you are not careful. Brugs seeds, especially if they are fresh, are easy to germinate. They do need some light to germinate so just press them onto the seed starting medium. DON'T bury them. Start with sterile soil and seeds. Cover the container with clear plastic or place container in a baggie until all or most of the seeds have germinated. Damping off fungi are the biggest enemy so sterile conditions are what make or break your success. You can use GOOGLE search for ways to sterilize soil and seeds.
Thanks, bettydee, I was about to use my hubbys charcol.. I also did not know not to bury them.. that must be why it took two months for my first brug seeds to sprout. I have a ? for ya all.. Are you supposd to take the shell off those seeds? One of the sprouts has the head of the seed stuck to it.. I think it is really stuck in there..
I did read somewhere that it does help to peel the seed cover off.
If you use the B B Q charcol brickcet. you only use one and it is covered by roasting pan .
You hear every year about people trying to heat their house with the BBQ and die . In a green house one is safe - charcol brickcet -
During the day a plant sucks in CO2 and releases oxygen . At night it sucks up oxygen and releases CO2 .
This is one of the reasons food tastes different grown in a green house - too many hours of light and not enough CO2 .
Now that that can of worms is open , we can all go fishing .
For all of you trying to figure out what part of the yard to place your brugs, or dats, leave them in a pot, and take them around your yard and place them there for a few days. Once you discover where there happy place is, you can plant them. Some like more sun than others, and some like more water than others. So just keep moving them around till they feel happy.
Hope this make since?
Linda Kay
okay, so do peel seeds before planting? or after they sprout, peel off from seedling? and how about a mini chimea.. would that give off CO2? just curious...
I soak mine and then peel before planting.
... and I've had more success peeling before soaking. Otherwise, I gouge the softened seed coat even though I try to be careful. You'll have to see what works best for you. Peeling does help prevent getting the cork stuck to the cotyledons. You'll also know from the start how many seeds you planted if you want to keep track of how many germinate.
Brug seeds are easy to germinate without any added chemicals. If you want to try adding extra CO2, remember Brug seeds need light to germinate so whatever you use would have to let light get down to the seed. Too much CO2 will kill the seedlings. If you value the seed, try to find out how much CO2 will make a difference in germination and how much is needed. Try this where is no danger to other plants and you.
Debra, a chimnea would still be giving off the noxious gasses that can and will kill! That is why they are sold for open patios.
Thanks Linda Kay for that planting suggestion. I think I will take mine around from spot to spot to see where they like it best. Of course spring conditions will be different than summer's in regards to heat as to who likes full sun. But I will try it because it's a good way to find out who doesn't like partial shade.
I will be getting some seeds in a day or two. I will try to germinate some with the coffee filter method and the rest in a pot of soil in a plastic baggie, after I have soaked them. Then I will put with the rest of the brugs under lights. They will be at room temp.
Debra, last year I brought my terra cotta chimnea indoors and used the fireplace gel they sell in cans for these fake fireplaces. They are safe and put off heat throught the top of the chiminea. Of course it lasts as long as the gel can lasts which I think is four hours. But if you only needed that heat for really cold nights, it's a safe way to go.
Thanks for the input.. I will try and peel the next two seeds... one before soaking, and one after.. also, I have a heated basement so really don't need the heat.. my daughter said I talk enought to emit CO2 so don't need any fires she says.. LOL
I usually have a candle burning down here anyway when I am here.. Thanks for all the advice.. muchly appreciated..Debra
Oh, advice about using out door dirt.. DON"T!!! I had a pot I planted a shrub cutting in, next thing I know I have these little teeny tiny things crawling in the dirt.. they turn into knats.. ugh! Tried microwaving the dirt after I pulled the plant out and repotted in new soil.. for 8 minutes I cooked that dirt and the dang things were crawling around like crazy still.. so now that pot is outside, where it will freeze.. so much for trying to skip a step..*sigh* ( my daughters about committed me to insaneasylum for cooking dirt, and I had to promise NEVER to do that again)
ROTFL!
Hey guys, can a brug have a triple Y? I have a NOID white rooted cutting with big leaves and I swear it has Y'd three ways. I think I even see two tiny little buds like I saw on Cherub Pink after she Y'd. The whole plant isn't very tall. The original cutting is eight inches and the new growth is four in with leaves seven in long.
Here is a pic. You can clearly see what looks like two sperate branches but just above and in the center is another. It's kind of hard to see because there is a new leaf coming out that obscures the the center.
Yes , someone posted about pinching back to make Y faster , but said flowers are smaller . More for dwarfing plants .
Forgive my confusion, but pinch what back? This is the one limb that sprouted from the cutting. The limb itself is only four inches long. The leaves are longer than the limb that is holding them.
Pinching or cutting off the tender new growth of a growing tip. It's called pinching because the growth is so tender, you can do it with your fingertips. Pinching will do nothing for Brugs as far as getting them to "Y" faster.
Jeanne, your cutting is from above the mother plant's "Y". A normal seedling emerges with two cotelydons. When the seedling produces a "Y", it is a two branched "Y". Every so often, a seedling emerges with 3 cotelydons. That seedling produces a 3 branched "Y" and appears to continue producing 3 branched "Y"s. Chrissy from Australia has a thread regarding more unusual seedlings — a 4 and a 5 branched seedling. That 5 cotelydon seedling looks really sturdy. I even has more than usual number of leaves. It's going to be interesting to see now many branches per "Y" those two seedlings produce.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/920611/
thanks Veronica. Very interesting. But should it be Ying when it's only 9 in tall from the soil? The leaves are so big and broad. It looks like an overgrown palm tree. If it does blossom the flowers may be longer than the plant is tall. Although I know the side shoot will grow taller, it sure is thin and short right now.
A number of people have posted photos of blooms larger than the plant. I had a yellow noid, sold to me as Mountain Magic, that had a flower or two several times this summer. The plant refused to grow much, but it produced a flowers every few weeks. The flowers hung out over the pot. At first, I had to place the pot on top of an upended pot to keep the flower from hitting the ground. I've had a few cuttings bloom in the greenhouse since early November that were larger than the plant. I can't post photos. My camera bit the dust. I'm hanging on until Christmas and hoping I'll see one under the tree. I've dropped hints, by DH is not good at picking them up. LOL
I'm praying for a new camera for you. :) Husbands are like that. Mine will ask me what I want for Christmas and I might get one of what I asked for. But he picks out nice surprises. So I will just go buy what I need or want later.
Well, then I won't worry about the flowers. I'll just enjoy them.
While you are enjoying them, please post some pictures! LOL
I agree about them pictures ..love to see them.We had snow yesterday (Very rare)didnt last long ,but knew it was coming ,so I cut about 3 large green seed pods they are getting wrinkels in them ,and gettinf soft ,I know they are suppose to turn brown before you cut them but thought the snow might hurt.. them will put them on the window sill and hope for the best ,has any one done this before .(Pulled them green)? How did they do..
I've never pulled early, but a few DGers have. If the seeds are mature enough, they will germinate, but you have to plant them right away. I can't remember the exact reason why, but I think its because the embryo doesn't last long in a seed that isn't ripe yet. The seed will not continue to mature after being removed from the plant. Cut the pod open, remove the seed, let it dry long enough for you to handle (They are a bit slimy right out of the pod), and plant them.
Does anyone know how to keep Brugs here in Wa. I moved up from Ca where I grew them in the yard and never had a problem. I lost the ones I brought with me. Too cold!!! Now I have to start all over. Will they survive in the basement or an unheated greenhouse? I can't afford to run heat through the winter. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Your Brug replacements would be better off in a basement if you can't afford to heat a greenhouse. The temperature in a greenhouse will plunge surprisingly fast once the heat is off and reach the same temperature as the temperature outdoors not long after wards. I've managed to save most of my Brugs when I've had heater problems by setting up and turning on sprinklers and leaving them on all night, but you can't do that every night.
The temperature in a basement should be warmer than 32ºF especially if the heating unit is in the basement too. This assumes that the ground doesn't freeze. If the ground does freeze where you are, then you will probably end up having to provide some supplemental heat at some point. You might consider keeping them in the house proper if the basement gets too cold.
I would wait until spring to get replacements since cuttings and newly rooted Brugs need to be kept warm and growing during their first winter or until they have developed a sufficiently large root system, one that would be capable of storing enough energy for it to emerge from dormancy.