My one and only blooming Brug is putting on quite a show.I hate to let it go dormant. Do you think I could put it in a pot(it's in the ground right now)and bring it in the house to enjoy a little longer? Then later let it go dormant?
Theresa
You could try but since you'll be digging it out of the ground you'll be cutting roots. That will probably cause some degree of shock and when you prune roots you should also prune some of the above ground growth. You can try it. The worst that will happen is the buds will drop and newest foliage will wilt. If so, you can cut it back at that time. Maybe you'll be able to dig up enough of the roots to keep it growing.
Karyn
Theresa, where do you live??? WHEN you "bring them in" or "cut them back" depends on your temps. If you are not expecting a frost any time soon, I would enjoy it where it is until the weatherman indicates one is on the way. If you have only the one, it would not take long to prepare it.
LOL, Theresa, just wrote you a note about your locationa and lo and behold you put it in the next post. Since you are a distance, I think it best to wait until Monday to ship your box.
I live in Iowa and there is no frost in the next seven day forecast. I would leave it out to enjoy while it has blooms on it and when finished, during the warmest part of the day, dig, pot, and bring it in. You will have leaf drop, but I'm afraid if you do it now, you will have bloom drop too. All of mine are still outside. I'm going to have a big job when frost is near, but they are like yours, blooming nicely or just beginning to bloom and I want to watch them. I don't have any to dig, but about 5 to cut off to re-root and probably 30 + potted ones that I'll keep. The rest will be composted.
Oh, Shirley, I just cringe when I hear the word "compost" when talking about brugs. I know your health is not the best so fully understand. Wish I were there to help you. I, also, know first hand now how much work it is to cut, offer, package and ship them but as long as I have the strength to do so, I'll share them.
How wonderful that you're able to enjoy blooms so late in the season. Good luck with your Fall cleanup but be careful not to hurt yourself.
Jarie
Mission, TX
Rio Grande Valley
Zone 9
This message has been edited by jas4141 on Oct 17, 2007 12:19 PM
Oh Theresa...look at you back there with 72F temps!! I'm so jealous. I've come to expect nice warm temp readings from those across the southern states, but sure wish we had temps like that here this time of year. We've been running below normal temps & way more cloudy/rainy weather than we should be seeing.
To top it off, we have a wind storm advisory for tomorrow! Nothing in the realm of hurricanes, but I s'pose I'm going to see a bunch of potted brugs blown over. I'm not overly concerned - broken leaves are no big issue, as they're all going to be removed very soon anyway.
My in-ground sanguinea has buds. There's an overhanging fir bough that might thrash the top of it when the wind is kicking up, so I'll go see about trimming that limb back a bit.
Back on your topic of bringing your brug indoors in hopes of enjoying some blooms...don't forget that if there are any mites hidden away on it, they'll probably proliferate indoors and may spread to other indoor plants. I like Shirley's idea of keeping it outdoors as long as you dare. Personally, I would then shrug my shoulders and fully prepare it for winter storage, without subjecting it to the shock of digging/potting and trying to keep the leaves & blooms going. But that's just me...let us know if you try it and how it works out.
Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place
My brugs sustain 30° temps (nighttime) outside easily throughout the winter. Usually by mid day it's in the 40's sometimes 50 &60's. Theresa, I would think you could leave yours out for some time yet. As long as it doesn't freeze. Mine seem to like the cooler/colder temps and Charles Grimaldi blooms during the winter months. This year, I have many new ones to evaluate during the winter. We'll see what happens with them.
Patrick I didn't realize that it was so chilly there. That's actually closer to where we should be this time of year but we've been averaging in the mid 70's. Today it's 80! My plants are loving it but I have no idea when I'll be cutting the brugs back or taking my tropicals in.
Karyn
Wow Patrick, it is chilly there!We are lucky to have this weather.It did dip down into the 40's a few nights last week. I'm sure it won't be long until the first frost.
When I purchased my brug from one of those online nurseries,it was about an 8" stick with a few leaves.I planted it on the side of the house,in half sun,not knowing it was going to turn into something so fascinating!I really can't enjoy the sight or the smell. I tell my DH i'll be back,I go out in the dark to get a whiff! He thinks I'm nutso!
I just purchased a big pot. I think I might pot it up and move it onto the deck, closer to the back door.That way it will still be outside for awhile longer, than I'll see how it's doing right before frost.
Hi Theresa,
Nice to see someone else on my side of this country. I brought mine in last week (one frost already). I think because this is their first year from cuttings, I didn't have to trim off very many roots (most were planted inground) so not as much shock. Most of them are put away for the season but I kept a couple with buds to enjoy that last chance to smell them. I did strip most of the leaves but I left some of the bigger buds. They are now in my dining room blooming under lights & I will put them away with the others when they are done (about a week) or if they start to look bad. One has 12 flowers on it & the house smells wonderful every night (a few more flowers than that would be too much, I think). I have a stapelia blooming now & they block that smell so I don't even notice. ithttp://www.network54.com/Realm/Bobky/rotating.gif
LOL Theresa & Linda, I think many of our DH's think we're nuts. Famous lines from my hubby are "what are you going to do with that" and "what are you doing now", with a grin on his face. Wait til the boxes start arriving later this week. I'm sure I'll have some explaining to do.
BUT...in the end, he worries as much as I do whether or not it's the right spot for something and frequently reminds me how wonderful they smell as he passes by in the yard, especially at night!! He's the first to drag out the spade when something needs to be planted. He's as addicted as I am but won't admit it.
Hi Linda, Nice to meet you. I'm glad you mentioned what you did with some of your brugs. I'm gonna try it. Like Karyn says" the worst that can happen is...."
By the way, Linda, Karyn is from MD.I wish I lived closer to her.It's not too long of a trip, about 2 1/2-3hr. ride.
Jarie, My husband is the exact same way,just won't admit it!
I had two in the house blooming, the rest put away...but it has warmed up so I now have two outside again. My husband is clueless about what has happened to his workshop in the basement. He no longer does stairs, which may be a blessing. One corner of the workshop has a huge tank in it that I winter my pond fish in. I have had some of my goldfish for 18 years. I am planning on running a couple of air stones off the bubbler into a couple of cutting buckets. His workbench has had the light lowered, much closer to the surface for my baby's I seem to always have rooting. The section by the bulkhead has my potted up brugs and several sage and lavender plants that also winter inside. Numerous canna and dahlia roots are in the process of joining them. Carrie there is a Chad cutting downstairs now. I received a email early today from the person who gave me my original brugmansias. He had more cuttings, -notice the had. They are in my basement now, I will bring them to the spring swap and try to infect some more local gardeners.
Enjoying each day
Sally, sounds like you"re putting your hubby's "old" work areas to good use. God forbid that space be wasted especially if it's a warm area inside in a cold climate.
We didn't get a heavy frost, just a light one so I'm glad I brought them in when I did. It was after dark & it was cold & of course it took longer than I thought. I only had 15 big ones (oh & the babies & cuttings & other plants). It warmed up again right after that but they're in & they're staying in. Next year I want wider doors & we're working on a sunroom for them. Most of them are in my best friend's basement (REALLY good friend). She's not a plant person, so more room for mine.
My husband doesn't say much, my plants take up less room & $$$ than his cars (it's easier to "hide" how many you have, too) & in spite of himself, he has learned the names of most of the big ones. It'll be a whole new ballgame next year when I put out 3 times as many. He just carries them inside & out with me & is VERY good natured about the bags of dirt, fertilizer, hole digging & the carrying. People stopping to admire them makes him feel good but I think it only encourages me to get more (a poor excuse is better than none).
The potted plants look better about keeping their blooms inside than the planted ones. Next year, I'm thinking about keeping my couple variegated ones in pots & planting the rest. It's way easier to keep them watered in ground & they're happier coming back inside. Plus I want to be able to see & smell them longer.
I'm suffering from withdrawal after checking on them a couple times every day. Now I will plan for next year & soak up ideas from everyone else.
That is great news, Sally. I know it sounds as if we are all "nuts", but I'll bet we are happier than most -- especially those who don't share out love for plants. I can't believe that I am planning on going to a plant swap Saturday -- why ever do I need more plants????
Wait til the boxes start arriving later this week. I'm sure I'll have some explaining to do. 
He's the first to drag out the spade when something needs to be planted. 
He's as addicted as I am but won't admit it.
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