My Brug.

Some brugs are hardier than others and will "with care" overwinter outside I am trying some this year outside so will keep you posted, I don't recommend you try if it's your first one you need a minimum temp. of 50f if you want to keep them ticking over in the g/house, you can put them to sleep for the winter, cut the main stem back to within 6" of the top of the pot put tem in a frost free shed or g/house half a cup of water once a month, when it warms up in spring repot very gradually increase water then start to feed and be aware of late frosts

 

Thanks cajary and walnut - inside the greenhouse it is with a wee rest when it gets cold.

 

Although we only get a brief mild frost here for a couple of days, we can be cold-ish (temps around 5 degrees a night, 10-15 daytime) for a couple of months, normally January and February, and that's when we'll have the rain, if indeed we get any. So, how do mine survive in pots outside?

walnut, is it best to cut them right back? I was toying with the idea of only trimming it this year.

I think it's cold now at 14 degrees ... brrrrr!

 

This is the Brug at the top of the thread, cut down and now resting in the cold greenhouse,he will take some frost and will come back next year even bigger with food and water and sunshine......I hope.
I mean I hope for a bigger Brug AND more sunshine :D

 

Is there supposed to be a picture here, dearest?

I bite the bullet when I cut the Poinsettia down, so I guess there's no difference. Perhaps tomorrow.

 

LoL we cut them right back to give them a period of rest and to escape the bad weather, by cutting off most of the top growth we can also cut right down on the water keeping them dry(1cup of water a month) it is easy to store them in a frost free shed or g/house starting them off gradually in spring, I see no reason with your temperatures why you can't keep them ticking over(on reduced feed and water) if there is a threat of frost do cover them in fleece, I keep some of mine growing in the g/house through winter keeping the temp.at 10c.
As you know they usually only flower once the main stem as split into a (y) if you cut the main stem right down then when the new shoot starts you have to wait until this shoot splits into a (y) again before you have flowers,if on the other hand you use the material from the (y)as cuttings they will flower right away you end up with flowers on the plant when it's only inches high.

 

Thank you, walnut, your advice is always gratefully received.

I don't think the fleece will be necessary. However, I can't do anything should the rain ever come, which we get between October and March.

I don't like the shape of mine, three leggy stems, so maybe I'll have a good think tomorrow about where to cut and how much to go down.

I cut the Cestrum back yet again today, I only did it last month but it's shooting everywhere with new flowerheads developing. I'm really quite amazed at it.

The Iochroma has settled in well, grown about 50% and is blooming again. Such a beauty.

 

I cut down my sanguinea today, it was frosed a couple of nights ago.
It had about twelve just opening buds on it, the first since June.
Problem was that it was now 9ft high and my greenhouse wont take that.
I dont know why I bother, but I hope to give it another chance next year.
I also have another of the same that I have cut down to 3ft and covered, stuffed with straw, its in the border and may survive.

 

I think I might try Brugs next year.

 

OOPS This is the brug to go with my last post.



Better late than never.

 

:eek: Massacre. :eek: Can I be so ruthless, I ask myself. :eek:

 

Well worth waiting fo roders. :D :D :D

 

You can be quite ruthless with them LoL that's fine what Roders has done, in your case why not cut out two of the three stems out leave the strongest,yours should be ok Pete don't give up on them Sangs are difficult(but worth it)they don't like the heat in summer and will drop their buds, tend to flower best in autumn but as you have found out can be caught with early frosts, why not try the Suaveolens type totally reliable hardly ever without blooms and have more than enough scent which the Sanguinea lacks.
The results of the American Brugmansia And Datura Society (abads)calendar competition for 2008 has just been announced I entered one picture and am pleased to say got a result, take a peek at july.
http://www.cafepress.com/abads.188292580

 

Thank you again, walnut, I had thought of doing that.

What a beautiful calendar ... and congratulations. You must be very proud.

 

Looking at your stump roders do they like being constricted for root growth or will you re-pot into a bigger container?