My brugs - 2 CG and 1 white noid- have stopped growing. I received them about 2 months ago (thanks Jarie), rooted them, potted them up and watched them start to grow and it was quite exciting.

But it seems that for the past 3 weeks nothing has been happening. The roots were showing from the bottoms of the pots even though they weren't in those pots for very long, but I did repot the white NOID since it was in the smallest pot. When I looked at the root system it looked like there was plenty of room for roots to grow, but I repotted it anyway into the only pot that I had available. One that was slightly wider but taller. That was 1 week ago.

It was doing fine until we had a heavy rain 2 days ago and then the plant got limp, so I placed it in the garage so it could dry out and things are improving until I bring it out. Then it starts to droop again even without any water. It perks up in the garage.

The other 2 I left as is.

Fertilizer might be the real problem. I've given some but probably not enough. I usually use the 7 drops with every watering and some extra now and then.

How much should I be using and which is best. Simple and easy is the method I like. Tomorrow I plan on sprinkling in some organic citrus/avocado 7-3-3
soil building fertilizer.

Theresa, sorry to hear that your new brugs aren't doing too well. Did they really get drowned in the rain and not able to drain? Drainage is very important as you probably already know. Possibly the soil you're using is staying too wet. I go very lightly on fertilizer in the beginning and at 1/2 to less strength for quite awhile. Is it possible to put them in the ground or must they stay in pots? I had one a few months ago that seemed to quit growing so I put it in the ground and within a few weeks it took off. I have a couple of others that are still pretty small, even in the ground and don't seem to be developing at all. Not sure how long I'm going to keep them.

Hopefully, you can figure out what the problem is because both of those brugs are pretty hardy. I would definitely keep them out of the hot sun til they get going again, either in pots or in the ground. Keep us posted and my fingers are crossed for you.

Jarie
Mission, TX
Rio Grande Valley
Zone 9

Theresa, if it has been really warm there as well, the Brugs will slow down. They just don't like the hot weather it seems.

Forum Editing Tech
Zone 5b

Thanks Jarie and Ruth Ann. The brugs were doing well and looking good, they just stopped growing, especially in light of hearing that they grow so fast.

I did repot the white NOID thinking that would help, but the pot I put it in was way too big and plastic (it's the only one that I had at the time) and was retaining way too much water.

It has been pretty warm here and about 3 weeks ago I had moved them from their location of AM sun to full sun thinking that would help them grow.

Just a few minutes ago I repotted the white NOID into a much smaller clay pot (there was alot of dirt left over) and put all 3 of them back into their original AM sun only spot.

When it comes to fertilizer, I tend to under feed than over feed and like to use less than the recommended dosage. So I'm glad to know that isn't the problem.

Here in Wisconsin our soil is very hard clay and difficult to work. I don't even plant my tomatoes in it. Except for perenials, all my gardening gets done in containers.

Thanks for your help, it was much appreciated. Will let you guys know how they respond.

Sounds like you're on the right track, Theresa, with some of your adjustments so maybe soon, your brugs will start growing again. As long as they don't seem to be dying, you're OK.

Have you every considered composting to help amend your soil, Theresa? I, too, had soil that was really hard to work several years ago but with compost (my own) and mulching, I've been able to turn it into soil that breaks up easily and is a dream to work. I'm sure it's much better for my plants, too. Something you might want to consider.

Jarie
Mission, TX
Rio Grande Valley
Zone 9

My husband and I just moved here in October and I did start to compost using an Earth Machine. It holds alot of stuff and I'm hoping for some black gold in the next year or two. Things seem to take a bit longer to break down here.

I also started vermicomposting in the house, but do need to purchase many more worms.

I'm glad to hear that home made compost can really do wonders for soil. To be able to just dig and plant things would be great. Right now I have my husband dig the holes for me, but he's not into gardening.

Well, the plants have been moved so now they get only AM sun, the weather has been somewhat cooler, and I'm trying to fertilize more frequently, and now all 3 plants are not only looking better, but are noticably growing.

That makes me happy.

Thanks all for your generous advice.