Ok...I don't mean to "dominate the airways", starting the most threads...but just had an exciting moment I have to share.
I'm trialing a number of brug seeds for Bren - approximately 1 dozen each of 11 different crosses. I still have a few to get started, but got most of them going on Jan. 05 and 07. I was just looking and spotted the first 4 seedlings emerging! It's so gratifying to see some new plant life during this cold winter weather.
I'll be reporting more as time goes along...cross you fingers that I get a good germination rate. There are a lot of great genes at work amongst these hybrids.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
This message has been edited by Celtguy on Jun 13, 2007 2:11 PM
Okay, Patrick, grab this positive thought coming your way for you and Bren. That has to be so gratifying to see results this quickly, and under these weather conditions. How warm are you keeping them?
Carrie, they're indoors under fluorescent lights & have dome covers on them (altho sitting slightly askance to allow for some ventilation). The house temp runs about 69 in the morning...lower while I'm at work in the afternoon & evening...back up when I return home...then about 62 overnight. The lights generate heat, so I'm not sure how warm it is under the domes. So far I haven't provided any bottom heat and the lights are off from about 10:30PM to 11:30AM. I will increase the light time as more begin to emerge.
I need to write some notes...I'm keeping track of dates.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
WTG Patrick. I also have am growing some out for Brenda. Germination wasn't 100% but 7 out of 10 isn't bad. I have to limit the amount or brugs I can grow under lights since I start so many annuals from seed each winter. My bruggie seedlings are doing great. I started mine on 10-23-06. The babies are growing strong and taller all the time.
I germinate my seeds in an old aquarium with lights and a heat mat. My enclosed porch where the light stands are gets fairly chilly during the night. DH just lit the Keroseen heater a few minutes ago on the porch since it will get pretty cold tonight. The lowest it usually gets out there is 40 but everything still does nicely.
WTG! Don't you love when those first little sprouts pop up. I potted some of the seeds I got from my plants a couple weeks ago. I had some stored in the fridge and others in a box. The seeds that were refrigerated germinated more thant a week earlier than non-refrigerated ones. Guess I know where all my brug seeds will be kept from now on. What kinds of crosses are you growing?
Karyn
Terry...minus 6F....brrr, I'm still shuddering at the very idea!
Tonight after work I rechecked for seedlings. A total of 7 emerged today...germination took 8 days on 1 and 9 days on the other 6.
Dott, I agree...70% germination sounds pretty good to me. I'm hoping to achieve at least that rate.
Karyn, yes - it's really cool to spot those little "necks" rising out of the potting mix & starting to turn green even before the seed leaves are lifted into sight. Most of the crosses I'm working with have at least 1 unnamed hybrid parent (and sometimes both are unnamed) so the names are long, such as [Hawaiian Double White x Ecuador Pink] X Jamie's Monkey Business. I'm not going to try to list them all now, but will probably mention the crosses later when germination results are finalized.
Carrie, I just put a thermometer in with the largest container of seedlings...I'll report later what the temps are like in there.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Congrats. I hope you have lots of room. I've found that I may have to move some larger stuff to the basement under lights to make room for all of the seedlings. It's not pretty around here, but it's definitely green.
Patrick, excuse my ignorance, but I always wondered about how they label crosses.
ex.."[Hawaiian Double White x Ecuador Pink] X Jamie's Monkey Business"
If I took pollen from Butterfly & pollinated a Isabella, would it be >Isabella X Butterfly<??
3 names (as above) is even more confusing. Sorry for a dumb quest., but was always afraid to ask someone. Thanks
Quote:If I took pollen from Butterfly & pollinated a Isabella, would it be >Isabella X Butterfly<??
Yes, Patty...you got it exactly right. The seed parent comes first, then the pollen parent. What works for me is to equate the "X" with the words "pollinated by"...so I'd call your cross Isabella pollinated by Butterfly.
Now take it a step further. Let's say you also pollinated Dr. Seuss with pollen from KBS...resulting in this: Dr. Seuss X KBS
Once you've raised plants from those 2 crosses you might decide to cross an offspring from each of those 2 crosses. Unless you named the offspring, you'd end up with the long crossed name like this:
[Isabella x Butterfly] X [Dr. Seuss x KBS]
or vice versa, depending on which was the seed parent & which was the pollen parent. (I used the brackets just to help visually separate the crosses.)
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
This message has been edited by Celtguy on Jan 18, 2007 1:50 AM
Hi Patrick, took me awhile to re-log in...I never log out!(??)
Anyway, thanks for explaining..I think I got it now.
Also wondering why I don't get responses in email... even though I click on it.
Hi Patty, I'll ask Bob about the email responses. I didn't check that box because at my activity level here, I didn't want my email filled (I'm terrible about not clearing it out!). You're the 1rst person who has mentioned that it wasn't functioning....will let ya know.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
I'll try not to post day-by-day progress reports on the seedlings, but I'm so surprised to have 26 of them emerging, or at least visible by last night. After soaking, some of these were planted on 1/6 & others on 1/7 and 1/8. That's a range of only 8 to 10 days & seems very quick to me. And since the 1rst seedling became visible, the count increased from 7 to 26 in 48 hours. A pretty good start - hope the success continues.
Out of the 8 packets of seeds originally planted, I have 2 packets with no germination yet, 2 packets with 1 visible, 2 packets with 2 visible and 2 packets with 10 visible.
An interesting note: when I peeled the seeds from #4 packet, I wrote a comment in my records that they didn't look as promising as most of the other seeds...I was expecting a low germination from them. I mentioned this to Bren & she said looks can be deceiving, wait and see. Sure enough! That's one of the two packets that have already shown 10 germinations!
I'm using a homemade plant stand that holds 6 4-foot fluorescent tubes, with a timer currently set at about 10 hours a day....will increase the time soon.
My potting mix is a combination of:
MG Potting Mix (has fertilizer - can't find any without it)
Black Gold Potting Soil (peat based)
Perlite (added generously to promote good drainage)
I use cell packs (6-, 9- and 12-cell), the smaller size you'd buy early annual starts in. I loosely fill each cell, then tamp it down to about 3/4 full. I place 1 seed on top of the soil in each cell, firm it into place & spritz it with a little water with the goal of the seed making good contact with the potting mix. Then I cover with approx 1/4" of fine textured seed starting mix (Whitney Farms), which is dry, so I spritz it thoroughly. I want the whole thing to be damp, but not wet. Each cell has a small label with a number corresponding to the packet the seed came from. (thank you mini blinds!)
I could use flats with plastic domes, but have about 2/3 of the seedlings in a 31 Qt. Rubbermade "Clear Impressions" storage bin that measures 26.5 X 15.8 X 6.5 inches. The cell packs fit nicely & it holds about 72 seeded cells. Then I've used a half-flat and a quarter-flat, each with a dome, to hold the rest.
Temps under the domes range from about 64F at night to about 78F by day. I keep the domes slightly askew to allow a little ventilation ... I think 70ish is considered more ideal as the highest temp. I water with a spritz bottle just enough to keep the soil surface from becoming dry and I avoid letting condensation form.
Photo? Probably a good idea. I'll add that when the seedlings are more visible.
I would say that my method is experimental - seems to work for me on an indoors basis...doubt it'd be good outdoors. Others use different methods & it's a good idea to read suggestions at ABADS, BGI or one of the brug books.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patty, Bob tested & confirmed the "forward to my email" feature does work, but only if you wrote the thread. It doesn't work with responses people make to your posts on others' threads. Hope that info helps.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
I especially love the fact that you are sharing your experience with the seeds. You must be thrilled to be a foster parent to Bren's seeds.
I've always been nervous of trying seeds. Yet, I always love checking out the seeds available from Country Gardens and Seed Sprout. There is such an abundance of tempting crosses. Guess, I'm just meant to be a window shopper for now.
I think it would be great to post pics and share your enthusiasm. I'll bet you that even the expereinced "bruggers" get caught up in your excitement. I know us much less expereinced "bruggers" will learn a lot.
Jeff, thanks for your kind comments. I'd like to encourage you to give brug seeds a try. They're not very fussy (like begonias, gesneriads or orchids!), altho will give you the best results if you are attentive to giving them conditions they like: warm but not hot, potting mix that stays barely damp - neither dry nor wet, good light. Keep a close eye to see that their environment doesn't suddenly move to any extreme. And be patient..try to have a mothering nature. Some seeds may germinate quickly...some may take a few months. Trial any seeds you can get your hands on. Maybe someone will share some seeds from a pod that was an unplanned cross. If it works for you, then think about investing in some named hybrid seeds.
It's fun!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
This message has been edited by Celtguy on Jan 22, 2007 1:45 PM
Patrick, and Brenda, congrats on the seedlings, can't wait to see what comes out of them! I must say, the amount of detail you have there is absolutely amazing! For my own so far, I could get close to the day of germination and tell you memorable moments from along the way... guess I'll have to keep better records in the future, huh?
By the way, I think using the brackets is a great idea, without them, you might think it's
Hawaiian Double White x [Ecuador Pink X Jamie's Monkey Business]
instead of
[Hawaiian Double White x Ecuador Pink] X Jamie's Monkey Business
Seems like that could probably have very different results.
I started 1 group 1/11/07
Versicolor peach X mountain magic
I started these 1/18/07(um chose the 18th cause its Patton Mannings #)
U Conn Tresure X Mountain Magic
Maya X Versicolor Peach
Versicolor Peach X Vixen
These we're from seedbank draw
And this was my left-over from last draw,but none made it so going with this last lot& have soaked them in hydrogen peroxide 1st this round.
Butterfly X Creamcickle
They are Brenda D's seeds.I had one of the KBS X supernova seedlings survive.Alot of the seeds didn't seem to finish forming.Got 12 seeds was able to sow 7 seeds I think 3 sprouted 1 survived.
I also sowed my remaining Adenuim seeds 6 from a tripod& 7 from a red w black center.I have 3 big bertha seeds growing great& wintering so easily with the brugs.
I also have 5 wintering white suav seedlings.I can't wait for blooms,plus have 3 that left the roots behind& re rooted their trunks.
I also have my change rolled for more of them peat pellot pop-up pots.I've decided to START my new JMG seeds.I think they can handle blooming in TX by March& I'll see the new trades bloom before the ones from last year (I've decided to grow Akatusuki No Mai on unknown pink & spanish eyes black eyed susan on dr suess...........so I'll have blooms between flushes)
Ok, finally some pics. These were taken on 2/01. As of that date I had 65 seedlings. I haven't taken a count since then but very few are germinating right now. It's still early & there's plenty of time for more to come along.
Not really a lot to see...they're just seedlings! This morning I transplanted 10 of the tallest into small individual pots.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
01 (Hawaiian Dbl Wht x EQ Pink) X Jamie's Monkey Business.
02 (Tiara x Susanne) X Miss Caylie
03 (HWD x EP) X Ma Belle Amie
04 Creamsickle X Earth Angel
05 New Orleans Lady X (Susanne x Rothkirch)
06 Knightii X (Mtn. Magic x Esmeraldos)
07 Carnival X Earth Angel
08 New Orleans Lady X (Kleine Aap x Unknown)
09 Miss Behavin' X (Kleine Aap x Unknown)
10 Miss Caylie X (Susanne x Rothkirch)
11 Surprise...I asked Bren to send a mystery packet)
I numbered each packet, then created a small label for each seed planted...that way all I had to write on each label was the packet number. I don't want any plant to lose its identity - I'm trying to keep careful records of these seed trials.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Terry, for now I'm planning on just pots. I'll want them close together when they're young & then space them farther apart as necessary. I like the idea of having them mobile, so I can move them according to the seasonal sun patterns & any individual prefences the brugs show. And I'll want to be able to move them into the garage for the winter. So far, I've had only 1 brug planted in the ground, so I haven't quite bought into that for my part of the country; maybe in the future?!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
I know it isn't as convenient in the fall but you should try one or two of each cross planted in the ground. I bet you will see a big ( and welcomed) difference between pot and ground growth when they are otherwise treated the same Patrick.
I have 4 Uconn&MM up& 2 are ready for a cup. sowed 1/8
I have 3 Versicolor Peach X Vixen up with 1 adenuim
I soaked the remaining 7 seeds of KBS X Supernova in hydrogen peroxide.I had potted 2 seedlings up saturday& just found 3 more up.Its been 8 days. I don't even remember WHAT I read to have me soak in the peroxide 1st.I just know I soaked those cause only had 1 out of the 1st batch survive& I also soaked some older unknown from off 'Becca Lynn X open pollinated' Friday.I believe they are Tigg's
I checked my temp thing in laundry room.The day I checked it.stored Hi was 91& stored low was 46.Average humidity in room is 67%.Today Hi is 78 low is 58 humidity is 62%. I have a clear tub with kid I set the seedlings in as they sprout and go-up-a-size. The 2 seedlings in kitchen will be going in the tub.I just have to re-arrange my cuttings for an open spot.(besides re arrangeing the cold GH today so I can borrow my dog kennel*AKA-plant stand, for my 2 dogs in heat.)
I know my 2 seedlings will be happier in clear box with misting than in the pot with a baggie.
I DREAMED of Dott's GH last night,it was in my yard.I woke up cause thought the plants we're freezing in my dream.I did check mine....safely at 64& turned the dryer on& back off to bed I went.
It will be much easier to bring them inside in the fall if they are in pots Patrick.
I tried them in pots one year but we do a lot of camping in the summer and I found I spent too much time worrying about them not being watered.
In the ground I only had to water twice all last summer.
Thank God for sprinkling systems!! I still have to water off and on about 6 mos out of the year where the sprinklers don't reach and in between when it extremely hot and dry.
Those sound like some interesting crosses. I can't wait to see what your blooms look like. Last year was the first time I left any brugs in the ground. Up until two weeks ago I figured that they would be fine but with our recent subzero temps I'm not so sure
Karyn
Gosh, sub freezing might make it, but sub zero sounds pretty bad for your brugs. I have to water pots one at a time due to the cost of our water. I would love to be able to turn on sprinklers and sit back and enjoy. They definitely do take less care when planted in the ground and most of mine are going there this year. All seedlings will be ground planted.
Shoot, forgot why I started writing. Patrick, your babies look nice. The stems look very strong. You should have some great brugs from them. Crossing my fingers for that.
ChSam (Shirley Morr)
Chariton, Iowa
Zone 5
This message has been edited by ChSam on Feb 6, 2007 11:34 AM
Ruth Ann, I keep forgetting to reply to your post. I haven't reaached a conclusion on the results I experienced last year with 1 in the ground, but my gut feeling has been that the soil here in the PNW takes so long to warm up, container-grown brugs get off to a faster start.
That 1 brug I grew in the ground eventually surpassed its 2 siblings that were in pots. I will probably repeat the growing conditions for those same 3 brugs this year and see how they fare.
Another experiment I want to try is the pot-in-pot method where you cut holes in the sides of a 5-gal pot and plant the brug, pot and all, in the ground and the roots grow out thru the holes. When winter approaches, you cut off the roots that grew thru the holes and slip the pot down inside another pot the same size to keep the soil from falling out during winter storage. (Not a new concept to most, but thought I'll spell it out for anyone who hasn't heard of it.) Not a method I'd likely use on very many brugs...at the rate of 2 pots required for each brug, that runs into a lot of pots!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick, when are you able to get yours planted out? I ask because we are the same zone I think and my Brugs do ever so much better in the ground than in pots even though I can not plant mine out ( or even move them out) until the first week of June and they are back in by the last week of Sept.
An example... 2006....
May 22 I planted Brug seeds in 2005 in trays.
June 20th they were 7" tall and planted into my Lasagne Garden.
Oct some were over 8 feet tall and had to be cut down to fit in the GH for the winter.
( potted back up to bring in for the winter)
In 2006 I started the seeds at the end of June. I kept them in pots over the summer and in Oct they were still only about 20" tall...
Granted, the 2006 seeds were almost 2 months later being planted but the fact they were containerized had more to do with their smaller size than their age did.
Ruth Ann, we probably need to compare our HEAT zones. What are your temps usually like (high & low) from June thru August? I believe you're getting a lot more heat during that time than I do, which causes my brugs to grow slower. I rarely see 80F before late July and my night temps stay around 50F until, oh maybe mid-July. It's also rare for summer high temps to reach 90 for more than 3-4 days.
The 1 brug I grew in-ground last year did reach over 7' by the end of the season...all new growth from about 6"-8" above the ground. The 2 "sistah" plants in pots were just under 6'.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
I think in most plants there's a tendency for a small percentage of seedlings to be abnormal. Amongst the seedlings I'm now growing, I have 2 that forked (doubt that I can call it a Y) immediately above the pair of seed leaves (pics 1 & 2). Both of these are considerably shorter than their siblings (note comparison in 1rst pic).
And a 3rd seedling (pic 3) formed 3 seed leaves instead of the normal 2. The first set of true leaves were also in a formation of 3. Now there is a single leaf emerging..I'll be watching this one closely. I've often seen coleus seedlings, which typically bear leaves in pairs, go to arrangements of leaves in 3's. Brugs usually have 2 seed leaves, seem to set a pair of true leaves, then form 1 leaf at a time on alternate sides of the trunk.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick I do that with most of the pots that I sink in the yard. It works great. Just make sure that you cover up the bottom drainage holes. I just make 4-6 good sized holes around the sides of the pot before I sink it. When I'm ready to lift them in the fall I just slice through the roots that have grown out the sides. Most of the time I don't even need to put it in another pot to keep the soil from falling out but you do have to uncover the bottom drainage holes or the pot won't drain properly when you water it. Just seal the bottom ones back up the following year if you are going to sink it in the same container.
Karyn
I realize that I'm getting in a little late on this, but your seedlings look GREAT! 'Sounds like you have some great crosses with wonderful possibilities. GOOD LUCK with them and keep us posted.
All I can say, Patrick, is WOW!!!!! Your seedling look just GREAT! Patrick, don't worry about dominating the airways or posting too many pics of your babies. We, in the cold Northeast, do appreciate seeing something growing - even if it's not one of ours.
Patrick,
Those babies look really good. I am really interested to see what those crosses bring you. Especially creamsickle and earth angel. Keep the photos coming.
Ruth Ann, I love that pic of you and the tall tall brug. Its like jack and the beanstalk, it towers over so high lol! I just got into lasagna gardening when I lived in Louisiana because of the hard clay soil. It breaks it right down. Gonna try it here in the desert too eventually. Looks like it does your brugs wonders. Nice job.
~SJN
Oh, yeah, Patrick has been able to grow from seed very well in all the years I've known him. I am soooooo bad at it, but I keep trying. Last year was a pretty good year for me, and this one may be a little better, but I will never be as good as Patrick. so, hats off to you, and continued happy growing.
The brug seedlings are growing like crazy! They're starting to crowd one another & I'm going to have to move some to a window. I took these pics this morning...just 7 days after the last pics. I can practically see the growth changes from 1 day to the next.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick, they are beautiful. Thanks for letting us see the changes. Hey, won't be long til you can put them in larger pots and then finally outside to the garden.
How exciting to come home from Tucson and see how much they had grown.
Just thought I'd post these pics to show what my seedlings are up to. They have spent the last few weeks huddled close together below my living room window on the east side of the house, where they're protected by the roof overhang. I've had a few leaves sun burn, probably from reflected sun off the window...but overall they're hardened off and ready to move to their summer locations. There are about 60 plants in this spot...others are distributed elsewhere. Part of these are overwintered cuttings.
The 2 pics are views from either end of the same group of brugs. The taller plant at one end is my iochroma...it has buds, but I think it would like some warmer temps.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Jarie, the MM X Unknown are alive, but like many of the others that overwintered in my garage, the trunks died back quite a ways, so will have to regrow this year. I'll be reporting more on those and some of the cuttings I got from Shirley and others in a future thread.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
This message has been edited by Celtguy on May 17, 2007 8:39 PM
Was just wondering, Patrick. Hopefully, this summer they will bloom for you so you'll have some idea if anything exciting is going to happen. Not sure if anyone else from the group has had any luck with their seeds. Let us know if you have any seedlings from MMx Un. Would love to hear how they're doing.
I've found some new pods that I didn't realize I had. Pink Beauty has a big one and two NOID whites (one on a brug that was supposed to be Frosty Pink). Day Dreams x CG is still hanging on tightly. Boy, is that one taking forever to ripen.
Well, it's been nearly a month since I posted the last pic of the seedling brugs huddled close together along the east wall of my house...and they're a little over 4 months old. A few days ago, I tidied up "Brug Island" & spread a new layer of maple wood chips for the pots to sit on, as a deterent to slugs. Then I moved about 80% of the seedlings to the island.
In a couple of weeks, it'll be time to up-pot them once more to 5-gal. pots...probably the last move they'll make this year. As soon as I finish prepping the other side of the "island", I'll be able to start spacing the pots a little farther apart.
These pics are of the same 51 brugs, viewed from different angles:
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
51!!!!!! Patrick, you need help ( and I don't mean garden help LOL). I thought I was bad with 27 seedlings.
Where are you storing all those this upcoming winter?
Lookin' good, Patrick. You've done a good job of keeping your seedlings from the slugs/worms. My young plants as well as my larger/in ground brugs have lots of holes from these critters. Hopefully, soon, they'll be through munching and the leaves will not look so bad.
Your seedlings look great. Will all these go into the ground? You must have a huge yard to plant in. Ha, you will have to start planting on the roof pretty soon if you don't!
I only have a few babies up from the seeds I withdrew from BGI in March (I got started late planting them and then had these huge black birds that like to pull some seedlings up). Is anyone else trying to grow the inspiration x vulcanperle combo? Those are some dark green, super fuzzy little guys. They really look different from my others.
I recently got some more seeds from CG (the American pride crosses)and just planted those. I think they will be interesting.
Patrick, what kind of potting mix do you use for your seedlings?
~Lenette
Lenette, when I start my seeds, I've been using a mixture of MG potting MIX, Black Gold potting MIX and perlite. When I transplant them to their 1rst pots (about 4"-5" size), I use pretty much the same mix. The next move is to 1-gal. pots and they're headed outdoors about this time. I change to a local potting mix I buy in bulk. It is heavy and rather dense, so I add some Black Gold potting mix and perlite to it. The next move will be to 5-gal. pots and I expect to add considerably more perlite/pumice to improve drainage. Your inspiration x vulcanperle cross sounds intriguing...keep us posted how they do.
Shirley, I won't get antsy about blooms until around the end of August...then I'll be realllly hoping to see buds. In the meantime, I watch my older brugs, which are beginning to show very tiny buds.
Jarie, I've seen a little evidence of some munching going on, so yesterday I mixed ammonia & water (1:4) in a spray bottle and went slug hunting. Most of my seedlings sit on a layer of chipped tree limbs, but that hasn't deterred the slugs as much as I hoped. I sprayed over 20 slugs that I found under the pots.
RA, 51 is the count in the one location. I have a total of 66 seedlings plus a number of cuttings and about 31 potted brugs that spent the winter in my garage. I've given away several duplicate brugs from cuttings & have lost track of the total plant count. The backyard will soon overfloweth! Lenette - if the roof were flat, I'd be considering that option...lol.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick, you're lucky you can find them. I can't seem to see what's eating my leaves. All I know is that this year for whatever reason, they're doing a BIG number on many of my brugs. The least bothered seems to be Adora. Here's the top leaves of my young double white and it's only one of many.
Jarie, I have found some small, fuzzy green worms on a few of my brugs causing damage similar to what you showed. They are very hard to see as they blend in so well with the brug leaves. Sometimes, it takes a while before my eyes can actually pick them up. I have been just picking them off, and disposing of them.
Oh Jarie, that damage is dramatic. I'd be going out after dark with a flashlight, looking for the nasty little menaces. I'd also be trying systemic bug killers, BT, home remedies...any- and everything I could get my hands on!
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
Patrick, I just can't believe the number of brugs you're growing. It's amazing and they all look great. Good luck with them and I hope you get some amazing blooms.
And keep us posted - we never get tired of seeing new photos...
Jarie, I have used Bayer 3 in 1 on my brugs when I could not find what is causing the damage. I diluted it a little more than recommended for my container brugs. I agree with Patrick (I stay organic when possible) that you need to do whatever it takes. - do this if you can find them.
Thanks for the advice, Patrick & Carrie. Actually, this is the worst I have and I'm a bit lazy so may just try to endure til the suckers get through this stage of their life cycle. I'm losing more leaves due to the heat than anything else.
What beautiful brugs you have!!!
I have had no luck with starting seeds.
I am about to dump my second batch that I
tried to start on May 7th. No luck.
I think I am going to try to peel the next batch.
As for the pests, I have had large green worms
and brown and yellow striped worms really bad.
There is a beetle that looks like a lady bug but it
bites and they are bad this year. I have had pretty
good success with neem oil but the rain has washed
it off regularly.
Patrick,
I was gonna start another post but just decided to ask ya on this one.
I have a seedling that has 6 true leaves and the top 3 are very pale yellow with a thin light green vein. I gave it some epsom salt diluted but hasn't really did much. It is in a miracle grow/perlite mix like all the others that are nice and green and isn't overwatered. Is it okay to give a seedling this young iron? I dont want to shock it or anything lol. Thanks
~Lenette
Thanks for letting us see the changes. Hey, won't be long til you can put them in larger pots and then finally outside to the garden. 
Keep up the great work with them and keep us posted. Let's hope that you get some keepers out of them.
- do this if you can find them.