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The Buzz - March 2008
Message from the Editor
Written by Dawna Bernier
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
It's a brand new year and believe it or not spring is right around the corner. Spring is predicted to be here within a few weeks. For some spring has already
started. For others, mainly our Northern growers, spring will take a little longer to arrive. But it is on its way!
With spring approaching, it leads to many of us looking to acquire new brugs for the 2008 growing season. I'm very happy that Brenda Delph and JT
Sessions took the time to give us a tour of their nurseries. It has become a common occurrence on the forums for many of our members to become
disappointed when they receive a plant that do not turn out to be the plant they had purchased. For most it takes almost a whole growing season to realize
that a mistake has happened. That beautiful triple pink you purchased off ebay is about to bloom and the disappointment sets in when you see a good old
Frosty Pink beginning to open.
I have also been in this predicament. I realize if it seems too good of a deal, then it really must be. For anyone considering purchasing new brugs, I highly
recommend taking a look at Seedsprout Nursery and Country Garden's websites. You will be receiving beautiful healthy plants that are true to name. I'd
also like to mention that we have a thread started in our forums with ebay seller names. Many BGI members occasionally sell extra plants from time to
time. Honesty is a valuable asset to members at BGI. I would never have any second thoughts about buying from any member here.
I'm hoping in the future we will have tours of other member's nurseries and gardens, especially people interested in selling either on websites or auction
sites. It's looking promising that brugmansia enthusiasts will have a new auction site to acquire plants. JT Sessions and Liz Fitchl have worked diligently
at providing us with another resource. Perhaps that will be one of our next articles. Time will only tell.
Happy Gardening BGI Members!
Dawna
Message from the President
Seed Bank Update
Written by Patricia Watson
Written by Mary Voss
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Wow ! here we
are in 2008
already , time
sure fly's when
your doing what
you love, and for
most of us that's
learning everything we can to successfully grow and hybridize this
wonderful plant. Here at BGI we have a very diverse membership from
novice growers to extensive growing/hybridizing experience. I want BGI
to continue to be a place where all can come, no matter at what level
of knowledge they are at, and not having to feel alienated or
intimidated. Please never feel embarrassed to ask a question thinking
it is a dumb question. We all started at the beginning asking the same
questions. It always warms my heart when I see our most
experienced growers and hybridizers take the time to help our new
members whether it be by answering their questions or getting them
started with their first brug. cuttings. We have a wonderful group of
kind, caring and giving people here at BGI and that is what makes this
site so special.
The Christmas holiday has come and gone and most of us survived it
Well, if you haven't
already started your
brugmansia seeds for
this season, you are
late!! Actually, you still
have time, but not much,
as spring is creeping up
very quickly. Personally, I didn't have any luck with the first batch of seeds I
started, zero germination, so I have just started a second batch, keeping
my fingers crossed that something comes up, as it will be too late to try
more if this batch doesn't work. I am working with a much shorter
growing season here in Missouri than I was in South Louisiana.
Since December, the seed bank has sent out approximately 2500
Brugmansia seeds, along with a large number of Datura and
miscellaneous bonus seeds. That would not be possible without the
generous contributions of you, the members.
I want to take this time to remind everybody to keep the seed bank in
mind as you harvest your seed pods this coming growing season. We
are running short on bonus seeds, so don't toss those critter pollinated
pods; save them and send them on to the seed bank. You just never
know where that double purple is going to come from! Also, please
remember while harvesting other seeds that we can always use them for
pretty much unscathed. It is now time for your new officers to put their
heads together and come up with goals for this coming year. Being
that BGI is a membership directed group, I would like to take this
opportunity to ask all of our members to take an active part in the
forums and let us know what your thoughts and idea's are for BGI's
future.
the bonus selections. We got a huge donation of Morning Glory
Tree/Bush seeds from pmelitus, and those have been a popular bonus
selection. Any garden seeds can be used for bonus selections, and are
welcome donations. We are also running really low on Datura seeds, so
if you have some stashed away some where and would like to send
them on, that would be wonderful.
Winter is when most of us are planting our new crosses for this
coming Spring and being that we can't work out in our gardens it is the
perfect time to for us to give some serious thought to which direction
we would like to see BGI move towards. It is also the perfect time for
us to get to know each other better, so if you are asked to write an
article for the Buzz about yourself , let me encourage you to participate.
Being active in the forums also encourages friendships within the
membership which I feel is important.
Please also remember the UK/European seed bank when making
donations, Neville needs seeds even more than I do. Brenda has
donated seeds to him in the past and can give you info about shipping
seed to the UK.
We have seen some very exciting changes made to our seed and
pollen bank forums here recently . I would like to give my personal
thank you to Mary for all the work she has put into this endeavor . We
have also seen some very exciting seed crosses added , and I want to
thank all the growers and hybridizers that are contributing, it will be a
very exciting growing season thanks to your generosity.
Gardening in Australia
Written by by Steve Shore
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Gardening in Australia is only 230 years old. This short time has
shown a change of attitude to how things are grown and what is
grown. The first boat load of white colonists (the indigenous
population never gardened in the generally accepted sense) planted
their English seeds next to a stream that leads into Sydney harbour.
The soil was poor and they planted the seeds in the English spring,
the Australian autumn, and as a result nearly died of starvation. Not an
auspicious start to either Australian gardening, or survival.
Finally as the colony became established better soil was located
about 30 miles upriver, where the first farms and gardens were
created. The poor had vegetable gardens; the rich had flower gardens
as well. The more wealthy thought gardens should look like those of
English country gentlemen, and attempted to create a cold, wet
English climate garden in a hot dry environment. Not too surprisingly,
they discovered bluebells and pansies do not like 110 deg in the
sandy soil prevalent around Sydney. This must have been a hard
learning process, particularly when flower gardening must have had a
low priority in the requirements of plain survival.
Let's all remember to post photos in the seedlings forum and give the
hybridizers proper credit as we grow out our 2008 crop of future
Brugmansia stars!
What is Hydroponics?
Written by Mary
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Hydroponics is a Latin term meaning Water Workings. With hydroponics
you are simply growing plants with water. The plants are grown in an
inert medium and fed a nutrient solution, which contains all the elements
needed for proper growth. In hydroponics the physiological needs of the
plant can be met without the use of soil. Hydroponics dates as far back
as the pyramids, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is becoming
more popular as commercial and home-growers look for a better way to
grow crops. Together with hydroponics and the right artificial light source
the indoor garden can be amazing.
The Advantages of Hydroponics
1. There is less labor required in
hydroponics. No digging and
weeding means less labor.
2. Plants can be grown in locations
which were impossible, such as
desert areas, places with poor soil,
and any spare room in the home.
3. There will be no competition for nutrients and water, since each is fully
accessible to the plants.
4. More can be grown in a smaller space.
5. Faster growing and more flavors in veggies and fruit.
6. Your crops do not have to fight the diseases, fungus and pests
frequently found in soil.
Hydroponic Nutrients
Following the initial immigration, the remainder of Australia's long
coastline was evaluated as places to live, and gardening over this
huge area varies from hot tropical in north Australia to coldish
temperate climate in Tasmania, and from arid stony deserts at 150
degrees to wet flooded plains, in the rainy season. Fortunately (for
some) in the 19th century, England's expansive colonial empire meant
a mass of new plant varieties coming into England. That century was
a wealthy amateur collectors dream; one Englishman had 40
collectors traveling worldwide looking for new species to bring back to
England. There couldn't have been too much of a problem with
quarantine requirements in those days! Alot of these plants died from
exposure to English weather, particularly orchids. These plants found
there way slowly to Australia, and so eventually Indian Himalayan
rhododendums, Chinese camellias and American brugmansias were
added to the English roses and hollyhocks, for those that had access
to water, anyway.
In my local Sydney east Australian coastal area, which has
temperatures from 45 to 110 degrees, it has in my experience never
snowed in winter. Wintering brugs is not a problem, they stay planted
all year. The colder climate brugs such as sanguinea do not do well in
my particular location, and so far have never flowered and always look
stressed, while versicolour types never stop either growing or
flowering.
The local Aussie bush is full of surprises. This was traditionally
thought of as a half dead grey-green boring mass that needed
eradication as soon as possible. Eucalypt gum trees have the
interesting arrangement of losing their bark annually and keeping the
leaves all year, so that overall the gum forests look like they are
continually dying off, since the bark hangs off the trees in a sad
melancholy way.
These days, there is
the realization that the
local flora is best
suited to the
environment here,
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
calcium nitrate or potassium nitrate
potassium phosphate, also from phosphoric
acid used for pH control
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts)
Sulphur
Minor Elements, Common Sources
Iron
Manganese
Boron
Copper
Sodium
Cobalt
Silicon
iron chelate (FeEDTAor FeDTPA)
Manganese
Boron borax or boric acid
cupric sulfate, copper chelate
You can buy pre-mixed hydroponic solutions, which need only to be
dissolved in water. I recommend buying pre-mixed nutrients. It will make
life easier and decrease the chance of failure.
Growing Media
The media used in
hydroponics is an inert soilfree media such as fiber,
stone and sand. These
media need to hold an
equal amount of air and
oxygen to be considered for
use in hydroponics. Grorox
or Hydroton is an expanded
clay pellet that holds water
due to its porous, irregular shape. Groroxs have a neutral ph making
environment here,
easiest to maintain
and takes little water.
There are therefore a
lot of Aussie bush
gardens, with few or
no non-indigenous
plants in use. These
gardens, with
selected plants, can look wonderful and are effectively maintenance
free. These include grevilleas, banksias, acacias and some gums,
(there are over 700 kinds of Eucalypts to choose from). The banksias
are particularly interesting, with 170 species, grown in sandy soil with
about 25 inches of rain per year, and can be so specific that one
species may only naturally exist in a few square miles.
Most are from Western Australia and the species range from ground
cover to 75 foot trees. The seed pods are like cast iron and need a hot
bush fire before the pods open and the seed becomes available.
Perhaps the plant has learnt that growth is easier after fire has
eradicated the competition. I have found them hard to grow from seed,
and it has been suggested that I light a small bush fire on the ground
after planting them.
While local flora gardens are very common, there are 3 species that
have become ubiquitous and even thought of as Australian, though
they are in fact not. These are frangipani (from Central America),
wisteria (from Asia and the US) and the jacaranda (from Central
America and the Caribbean). If they weren't so attractive, they would be
defined as in plague proportions. There is one NSW town, Grafton,
which even has a jacaranda festival, since most streets are lined with
these trees.
Our garden is typical
of a lot of semisuburban gardens,
with half the space
taken with Aussie
grevilleas and
banksias, with half
taken with exotica
from all over, mostly
brugs. (no prizes for
guessing which half I
planted!). It would
seem that many
gardeners have a
specialty plant interest imposed on a basic Aussie garden, with the
favourites being roses, orchids, bromeliads, and perhaps begonias
and geraniums. These are often chosen to add colour to the grey
green background. There are only a relatively few mad brug growers,
maybe no more than 10 on the whole continent, with little cross
communication between us other than the societies, such as this one.
This is a kind of brugmansia exile, and I probably know every brug
within a twenty mile radius, and can count them on my two hands.
Fortunately brug enthusiasm is contagious, and in the local area I
must be responsible for at least tripling the local brug population!
Welcome Mat
them the perfect hydroponics media. Cocopeat is a completely organic
media made from ground coconut husk. It has the water retention of
vermiculite and the aeroration (sp?) of perlite. Rockwool is made from
molten lava that has been spun into glass-like fibers. It has a good air to
water retention ratio and is widely used for cuttings and seed
germination. There are environmental issues with using Rockwool.
Rockwool is not biodegradable.
Perlite is siliceous volcanic rock, which is heated to a suitable point,
expanding it from four to twenty times its original volume. Perlite has an
enviable record of performance as a propagating and growing medium
in hydroponics. It has an outstanding water to air ratio, which is idea for
hydropnics.
Ph & PPM
The ph of your solution is very important. Without getting to high tech, the
ph refers to the potential hydrogen-hydroxyl content of a solution. The ph
will tell you if your solution is acid or alkaline. Pure water has a balanced
ph of 7.0. If the ph is incorrect the plant will loose it's ability to absorb the
nutrients. Most plants will survive in a range of 5.0-7.5 but will grow their
best at the correct ph. Experienced growers consider 5.5-6.5 to be the
ideal ph for growing most crops. Below is a chart with the ph & ppm
range for different types of plants.
The ph of the solution can be checked using different types of tools.
Strips
Meter
ph solutions
If the ph is too acid or alkaline you will need to adjust it. There are several
things that can be used for this, but I advise using a purchased ph up or
ph down solution.
PPM (parts per million) is a way of
expressing the quantity of one
amount dissolved into another
(salts into water). You will find that
the dissolved substances are
measured as ppm, cf or EC
(depending on your meter). This is
used to determine the strength of
your hydroponics nutrients solution. The cf will change over time in all recirculating methods and will need to be checked. This way you know if
you need to add nutrients. Below is a charts with the ranges for different
plants.
Fruit
pH
Banana
5.5-6.5
Black Currant6.0
Blueberry 4.0 -5.0
Melon
5.5-6.0
Passionfruit 6.5
Paw -Paw 6.5
Pineapple 5.5-6.0
Red Currant 6.0
Rhubarb
5.0- 6.0
Strawberries 6.0
Watermelon 5.8
category
M
L
M
H
M
H
H
M
M
M
M
CF
18-22
14-18
18-20
20-25
16-24
20-24
20-24
14-18
16-20
18-22
15-24
PPM
1260-1540
980-1260
1260-1400
1400-1750
840-1680
1400-1680
1400-1680
980-1260
840-1400
1260-1540
1260-1680
Written by Paul Phillips
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
This month's
Welcome Mat comes
with a contest for all
members. I want to
name this beautiful
cultivar that I grew
out for Ludger
Schneider. The
cross is Charleston
Welcome Mat
x Kaskade, I can't
think of anything
interesting enough to call it.. With Ludger's permission, I can name it
anything I would like.
So, the contest is NAME THIS CULTIVAR! The winner will receive the
first rooted cutting that I get this spring. It is an UNRELEASED cultivar,
so no sharing till it is released!
Here is a picture of it
last fall. In the spring
and summer it is
Flowers
pH
African Violets 6.0-7.0
Anthurium
5.0-6.0
Antirrhinim
6.5
Aphelandra
5.0-6.0
Aster
6.0-6.5
Begonia
6.5
Bromeliads
5.0-7.5
Caladium
6.0-7.5
Canna
6.0
Carnation
6.0
Chrysanthemum6.0-6.2
Cymbidiums
5.5
Dahlia
6.0-7.0
Dieffenbachia 5.0
Dracaena
5.0-6.0
Ferns
6.0
Ficus
5.5-6.0
Freesia
6.5
Impatiens
5.5-6.5
Gerbera
5.0-6.5
Gladiolus
5.5-6.5
category
L
M
M
M
M
L
L
M
M
H
H
L
M
H
H
M
M
M
M
H
H
CF
12-15
16.20
16-20
18-24
18-24
14-18
8-12
16-20
18-24
20-35
18-25
6-10
15-20
18-24
18-24
16-20
16-24
10-20
18-20
20-25
20-24
PPM
840-1050
1120-1400
1120-1400
1260-1680
1260-1680
980-1260
560-840
1120-1400
1260-1680
1260-2450
1400-1750
420-560
1050-1400
1400-1680
1400-1680
1120-1400
1120-1680
700-1400
1260-1400
1400-1750
1400-1680
usually a creamy
color, but this fall it
really suprised me
with this champagne
color. In summer, it
produces some
single flowers, fall
usually they are all
doubles. The
fragrance is what is
most impressive to
me. It smells like the
best bouquet of roses
I have ever had the
pleasure of inhaling. If
the winner is in a
location that I am not
permitted to ship a
rooted plant, some
other prize will be
worked out.
Good luck, come up with something special and unique. Keep
fragrance in mind.
PM me your ideas, the more the merrier. 3 names per member. I will
confer with the people that already have it and pick the winner by the
next issue of the Buzz.
We have 24 New members to welcome this issue! Thanks so much
for joining us. We are glad some of you have jumped in and are
posting already. For the rest of you, please don't be shy, we are a big
happy family here, and don't be afraid to ask any question, share your
gardening secrets, successes and failures. We all learn from each
other!
Welcome to Mustang, Gordon Hawk, tropinebraska, Angela, Andyszyd,
ncbs12, brugdaddy, jpotts461, slieve, bcrosby58, Dennis31650,
tropical-pete, tinkerbelle, Mike, Kimarj, KenM, MaggiejoeJ, mbpp176,
poway, tinkerbell, cory1957, mike, Tara, and Arcadia.
Wishing us all a wonderful spring and summer full of new and
spectacular blooms for all of us!
Happy Growing!
Monstera
Palms
Roses
Stock
Vegetable Crops
Artichoke
Asparagus
Bean (Common)
Beetroot
Broad Bean
Broccoli
Brussels Sprout
Cabbage
Capsicum
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Endive
Fodder
Garlic
Leek
Lettuce
Marrow
Okra
Onions
Pak-choi
Parsnip
Pea
Pepino
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Radish
Spinach
Silverbeet
SweetCorn
SweetPotato
Taro
Tomatoes
Turnip
Zucchini
5.0-6.0
6.0-7.5
5.5-6.0
6.0-7.0
H
M
M
M
pH
6.5-7.5
6.0-6.8
6.0
6.0-6.5
6.0-6.5
6.0-6.8
6.5
6.5-7.0
6.0-6.5
6.3
6.5-7.0
6.5
5.5
6.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.5-7.0
6.0-7.0
6.0
6.5
6.0-6.7
7.0
6.0
6.0-7.0
6.0-6.5
5.0-6.0
5.5-7.5
6.0-7.0
6.0-7.0
6.0-7.0
6.0
5.5-6.0
5.0-5.5
6.0-6.5
6.0-6.5
6.0
18-24
16-20
15-25
16-20
Category
L
L
M
H
M
H
H
H
M
M
M
M
M
H
M
M
L
L
L
M
H
L
M
L
L
H
H
M
M
M
M
M
H
H
H
M
M
cF
8-18
14-18
20-40
8-50
18-22
28-35
25-30
25-30
18-22
16-20
5-20
18-24
17-25
25-35
20-24
18-20
14-18
14-18
8-12
18-24
20-24
14-18
15-20
14-18
8-18
20-50
20-25
18-24
16-22
18-23
18-23
16-24
20-25
25-30
20-50
18-24
18-24
1400-1680
1120-1400
1050-1750
1120-1400
PPM
560-1260
980-1260
1400-2800
1260-3500
1260-1540
1960-2450
1750-2100
1750-2100
1260-1540
1120-1400
1050-1400
1260-1680
1190-1750
1750-2450
1400-1680
1260-1400
980-1260
980-1260
560-840
1260-1680
1400-1680
980-1260
1050-1400
980-1260
980-1260
1400-3500
1400-1750
1260-1680
840-1540
1260-1610
1260-1610
840-1680
1400-1750
1750-2100
1400-3500
1260-1680
1260-1680
Welcome to Country Gardens
Written by by JT Sessions
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Dawna recently asked for a short piece on the history and the future
plans for Country Garden.Since she also asked Brenda and Liz for
articles on their nurseries, I assume she intended this to be a "Two
Beauties and the Beast" presentation in the Buzz.
Ann and I started Country
Garden in 2000 with a few
sales on Ebay. We knew at
the time that we wanted to
make it a regular nursery
and worked in that
direction.Our first
intention,as with all
businesses,was to make a
profit but we also felt we
could meet a need as a
source for nice brugs at a reasonable price.At that time,there were
only about four nurseries selling brugs online and both selection and
customer service were awful.
We obtained our first brugs from Arlene Howard, Lynn Carman, Bonnie
Vaughn and Gloria Lessner. We also imported several varieties from
Hodnik's in France. This was still legal until early 2001 and we made it
just under the wire.We also used the commercial sources available at
the time. From the first,we have concentrated on customer service in
the areas of quick delivery and good packing along with a guarantee of
live, healthy delivery. I will admit that we had some worries about that
last one but time has proven to us that the vast majority of people are
honest. We do replace a few damaged brugs, and a few from our
mistakes, from time to time but these have stayed at a reasonable
and acceptable level.
Herb
Basil
Chicory
Chives
Fennel
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Marjoram
Mint
Mustard Cress
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Watercress
ph
5.5-6.5
5.5-6.0
6.0-6.5
6.4-6.8
6.4-6.8
5.5-6.5
6.0
5.5-6.0
6.0-6.5
5.5-6.0
5.5-6.0
5.5-6.5
5.5-7.0
6.5-6.8
category
L
H
M
L
L
L
M
H
M
L
L
L
L
L
cf
10-16
20-24
18.22
10-14
10-14
10-16
16-20
20-24
12-24
8-18
10-16
10-16
8-16
4-18
ppm
700-1200
1400-1600
1260-1540
700-980
700-980
700-1120
1120-1400
1400-1680
840-1680
560-1260
700-1120
700-1120
560-1120
280-1260
Officer Election Reminders
Written by by BGI Officers
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
The 2007 Officer Elections went very well, but I thought it might be worth
reminding everyone that BGI refined its election process in a couple of
important ways in 2007.
One change involves staggering the elections of some of the officers (the
Vice-Presidential seats) with the others in alternating years. The main
purpose of this was to assure that we keep some experienced members
on the board each year and to avoid the unlucky situation of having an allrookie Executive Board. Historically, our term of office has been two
years. In the 2007 Officer Elections, all of the positions were filled, but the
Vice Presidents were elected to only a one-year term this time only. In a
year, we will hold elections for these Vice Presidential seats again and
from then on all terms of office will again be two years. In other words,
Country Garden was
set up from the
beginning, not as a
pretty nursery with
nice plants in neat
rows but rather a
place where I could
grow brugs quickly
and efficiently. It stays
a mess but an
efficient mess. We
sometimes get calls from people wanting to visit our "gardens". The
only garden here is full of onions, garlic, turnips etc. All the brugs are
kept in containers and are either in the greenhouse or under a shade
structure in the summer. They are always chopped up and ragged
looking as anything large enough for cuttings is taken off and rooted.
So where do we go from here? Short term is easy to see.We just keep
doing what we have been doing.We will be adding a few new and
different plants to our sales list in 2008.Adeniums (thanks Ronna),
plumerias, and hardy hibiscus to name just a few. We did try
passifloras last year but gave that up when the passis tried to take
over the world starting with the greenhouse. Those things need more
room than we can spare. The long term vision is a bit foggy.
each year, we will elect half of the Executive Board.
Another minor change was made to the by-laws to shift the timing of the
elections. In the past, it has been traditional to hold elections in
November & December, but since so many of our members have
expressed dissatisfaction, it was agreed to move the elections out of the
Holiday season and hold them a bit later in mid-January. This seemed to
be a quieter time for most of us as well as for our plants.
Our next election (for Vice Presidents only) will be coming up January
14th, 2009.
2007 Favorite Brugmansias Poll Results!
OVERALL FAVORITE FOR 2007
2 VOTES FOR NEW ORLEANS LADY
2 VOTES FOR MOUNTAIN MAGIC
DORTHEA
VIXEN
I will be sixty eight this
September but I am
still blessed with good
health and strength. I
had hoped that one of
the grandchildren
might be interested in
taking over one day
but that doesn't seem
to be in the cards.
Companies are not
lining up to buy us out
so that leaves just me. Maybe one day, a few years down the road, I'll
walk out to the greenhouse and decide I've had enough.It will be time
to call in the bulldozers.
RUBIROSA
Visit Country Garden at http://countrygdn.com
DR. SUESS
PAINTED LADY
CLEOPATRA
MAYA
MANDARIN TWIST
SUNSET
GOLDENES KORNETT
THE CHIEF
MEM
SAUVEOLENS WHITE
CHESA
DAYDREAMS
Welcome to a Virtual Tour of Seedsprout Nursery
Written by Brenda Delph (http://www.seedsprout.com)
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Click on the first thumbnail to start the tour.
PINK SMITTY
2007 BEST BRUG FOR FRAGRANCE
7 VOTES FOR NEW ORLEANS LADY
2 VOTES FOR WHISKERS
L'AMOUR
DR. SUESS
APRICOT REISE
THE CHIEF
VELVET ROSE
MAYA
CREAMSICKLE
GOLDENES KORNETT
RASCAL
SAUVEOLENS WHITE
PAINTED LADY
EARTH ANGEL
BEST OVERALL PERFORMER
2 VOTES FOR ISABELLA
2 VOTES FOR DR. SUESS
CHESA
APRICOT REISE
VIXEN
New Officers Profile
ETERNITY
MAYA
Written by by Patricia Watson BGI President
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
MAYA
PEACE
RUBIROSA
I was born in Fordyce Arkansas but was raised most of my younger
years in the North Bend, Oregon area which is on the coast. This was
a pretty rural area, so I have fond memories of fishing for bullheads in
the sloughs, searching the woods in the early Spring for what us kids
called wild Easter Lilies. I now know they were a type of trillium, and
spending the summers building tree houses and picking wild
blackberry's. My mother was an avid gardener and grew all our
vegetables and had flower beds around the entire yard and house. It
was because of watching her as a child that I grew up with a love for
gardening. My mom is now 77 and is still my best gardening buddy.
MOUNTAIN MAGIC
SUNSET
GOLDENES KORNETT
JINNY LIND
RUBIROSA#1
SAUVEOLENS WHITE
CHESAPAINTED LADY
I have always
loved
growing from
seed and it
was during a
very difficult
time in my
life that I
found one of
the other
gardening
forums and
began
trading
seeds. I truly
believe that it
was my
gardening
that helped
me survive
through
those hard
times. They
also had a
brugmansia
site which I
eventually
found and
saw this
plant for the first time. It was love at first site, and although it has
always been hard for me to ask anyone for cuttings, I did. I remember
the first year all my seedlings bloomed white. I was disappointed, but
thrilled that they bloomed at all. It didn't take long before I realized I
was a truly addicted brug. lover.
Four years ago my husband and I bought a new home which I agreed
too only if a new greenhouse came with it. My husband was good with
his word and within just a few weeks I had a lovely greenhouse sitting
in my back yard. I immediately set about filling it with brug. seedling,
cutting and tropical plants. I heated it the first couple years, but to our
dismay our Electric. and gas bill went up to $800 a month. So much
for the tropicals. Now I mostly have my brugs in the greenhouse which
I no longer heat in the winter time. I can't imagine ever getting tired of
these plants. The bugs yes, but the plant no.
PINK BEAUTY
FAVORITE PINK DOUBLE FOR 2007
8 VOTES FOR DAYDREAMS
2 VOTES FOR PINK SMITTY
2 VOTES FOR CHESA
PEANUT
SALMON PERFEKTION
ADELINE
SAM
DOUBLE PEACH
SEEDLING
MON AMOUR DU MAREIUL
PINK PERFEKTION
OTHER THAN PINK MULTI-SKIRTED 2007 FAVORITE
9 VOTES FOR NEW ORLEANS LADY
2 VOTES FOR CANDIDADOUBLE WHITE
2 VOTES FOR THE CHIEF
2 VOTES FOR CREAMSICKLE
FLAME
TIARA
LENA
WRETCHED MESS
TOOTSIE
2007 FAVORITE SINGLE PINK
3 VOTES FOR MEM
3 VOTES FOR MOUNTAIN MAGIC
2 VOTES FOR DORTHEA
EARTH ANGEL
Home is where the Heart Is
RUBIROSA
Written by Elva Hernandez
DELISA'S RUBILINE X RUBILINE
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
MISS CAYLIE
L'AMOUR 2
PEACE
Ok you all, it's
Easter time. Here
are a few recipes
to make with the
kids! Hope you
enjoy each and everyone..
ROSALIE
SUPERSPOT
JINNY LIND
FROSTY PINK
JAMIES MONKEY BUSINESS
Green Coconut Nests
Green Coconut Nests are a fun and easy Easter treat to make!
You will need: ·
1 pound green chocolate coating ·
1 7 oz. package flaked or shredded coconut
VELVET ROSE
2007 FAVORITE SINGLE COLORED BRUG OTHER THAN PINK
2 VOTES FOR APRICOT REISE
1 7 oz. package flaked or shredded coconut
How to Make Your Green Coconut Nests.
In the top of a double boiler, melt coating over hot, not boiling, water.
Add coconut and mix together well. Add very small amounts of water to
coconut mixture until it thickens enough to hold shapes. Form into
small nests by making mounds and then hollowing them out with the
bowl of a spoon. Fill nests with jelly beans or molded chocolates.
Makes 8 nests.
Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs
NAUGHTY NICK****This is a double but someone listed it in this
catergory
JAMIES MONKEY BUSINESS
JESSE NOEL
PERFECT HARMONY
LUDGERS SUMMER DREAM
CLEOPATRA
JANET RENO
These can be made long before needed. Their flavor improves as they
ripen.
You will need: ·
2-1/4 cups sugar ·
1 cup light corn syrup ·
3/4 cup hot water ·
1/2 lb. marshmallow creme ·
1/2 cup shortening, melted ·
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar ·
2 cups candied fruit (cherries and pineapple) ·
Nuts ·
Dipping chocolate
How to Make Your Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs.
In a saucepan, cook sugar, syrup, and water to 265 degrees. Add
marshmallow creme and beat until almost firm. Add melted
shortening, confectioners' sugar, candied fruit, and nuts. Mix well,
shape eggs by hand and dip in the chocolate. The eggs will keep 6 to
8 months. Makes 10 eggs.
LUDGERS WINDSONG
MANDARIN TWIST
WHISKERS
CHARLES GRIMALDI
GOLDENES KORNETT
GOLDFINCH
HERRENHAUSER GOLD
MILK AND HONEY
SEMINOLE MOON
JAMIE
MANGO CRUSH
Rabbit Cake
Utensils: flour sifter, rubber spatula, measuring spoons, two 8-inch
round cake pan, measuring cups electric mixer and bowl, serrated
knife
The Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
Newly Introduced Brugs
The following cultivars have been registered from December 1st 2007 to
February 29th 2008:
'Lovie' - 12/20/2007, H - Unknown, SP - Sue Surla
'Lapin Rose Doux' - 12/27/2007, H - Elizabeth Fichtl, SP - Gary
Morales
'Rascal' - 12/30/2007, H - JT Sessions, SP - Brenda Delph
Please refer to the BCRA for all currently registered cultivars.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour the cake pans (rub bottom of pan with butter or
shortening, then sprinkle flour in the pan; tap the pan until flour
spreads and covers pan bottom)
3. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the electric mixer
bowl.
4. Add the shortening, milk, vanilla, and eggs. Mix on low speed for
one minute.
5. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then turn mixer to high speed. Beat for
3 minutes.
6. Pour into pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden
pick inserted in the cake center comes out clean (not sticky!).
7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn cake layers onto a wire rack
(you might need help with this step).
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
Dash salt
1 tablespoon milk
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Place the cream cheese, milk, vanilla, and salt in the electric mixer
bowl. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
2. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium to high speed until the
frosting is smooth and will spread easily. If necessary, add more milk.
3. Cut the cooled cake and arrange as shown in the drawing. One
layer is left intact, and the other is cut to form the bunny's ears and
bow tie. Spread the frosting between the head, ear, and bow tie
pieces, then over top and sides.
4. Add jelly beans for the bunny's eyes, strips of licorice for whiskers.
Two Spotted Spider Mite
Written by Michael Loos
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
An old woman's mite, a beggars'
mite, a mite smaller than
normal, or just a mite - whatever
the use, it means tiny. In
horticulture, to us it means
destructive. On our plants, Brugs
and others, the two-spotted
spider mite is a vampiric-lifesucking-son-of-gun. With little
regard to menu, it happily hops
Those Pesky Bugs
from host to host, searing
behind it a trial of gray and brown lifeless vegetation, ever wandering and
webbing its way throughout our collections. We hate them.
The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae, is an all-toocommon foe in our lives. Contrary to popular understanding, it is not an
insect, but rather more closely allied to spiders and ticks. They have eight
legs, like spiders, and only two body regions. Adult females are minute,
only 1/50 of an inch or so long. These critters are soft bodied and oval in
shape. Mite variation includes subtle color shifts from green to almost
orange. Not to be confused with the good guys, TSSM move slowly and
have two distinct spots on either side of their bodies when they are
mature.
TSSM has an immense
host range including many
woody and herbaceous
ornamentals, greenhouse
plants, vegetables,
4. Add jelly beans for the bunny's eyes, strips of licorice for whiskers.
You could also cover the rabbit with coconut for a very special Easter
dessert!
I enjoyed making this one with my daughthers when they were small!
Easter Egg Salad
Utensils: small bowl, measuring spoons and cups, spoon or fork for
mixing, serrated knife
1 3-oz. package of gelatin-- any flavor
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup finely chopped celery and carrots
12 egg shells
Lettuce
Mayonnaise
Mix gelatin in bowl according to package instructions. Add the lemon
juice and vegetables; stir.
Using raw eggs, break the shells very carefully, so that just the tip of
the shell is broken when the egg is removed. Dry the shells, then pour
the fruit salad into the opening. Cover the hole with cellophane or
adhesive tape, and set into custard or muffin cups. Chill until the
gelatin is firm (overnight if possible). Then break away the egg shell,
place on lettuce, and top with mayonnaise.
Easter Egg Sandwiches
Utensils: small bowl, measuring spoons and cups, spoon or fork for
mixing, serrated knife
6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
Adash of pepper
Mix all ingredients and spread on bread; makes 6 sandwiches.
Bunny Cookies
Use your favorite bunny cookie cutter to make these charming
cookies, or use the pattern you cut out of cardboard.
You will need: ·
3 cups all purpose flour ·
2 teaspoons baking soda ·
1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger ·
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ·
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ·
1/4 teaspoon salt ·
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening ·
1/2 cup sugar ·1 egg ·
1/2 cup molasses ·
1-1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
How to Make Your Bunny Cookies
Step 1
Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt onto
waxed paper.
Step 2
Beat together shortening, sugar and egg in large bowl with electric
mixer until fluffy, for about 3 minutes. Beat in the molasses and cider
vinegar. Stir in flour mixture until blended and smooth. Gather dough
into ball; wrap and chill for several hours.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough in half. Roll out half of the
dough with lightly floured surface to generous 1/8-inch thickness.
Keep remainder of dough refrigerated while working with first half.
Step 4
To use a bunny pattern, draw a pattern onto a piece of cardboard.
Make sure ears are attached to the head. Cut out pattern. Place
pattern on dough and trace with a toothpick. Cut out cookies. Place 1
inch apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Reroll scraps, using up
all the dough. Repeat with remaining dough.
Step 5
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until firm.
Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Step 6 If you wish to decorate
cookies, prepare Decorator Icing, tinting portions if you wish. Decorate
cookies as desired. Let cookies stand until icing is firm. Store in
airtight container between sheets of waxed paper for up to 2 weeks.
Decorator Icing
Prepare one recipe Royal Icing, using packaged meringue powder
and following the directions on the package. Dried meringue powder
is best for uncooked frostings due to the increased concern about the
weeds, and of course, our
beloved Brugmansia. This
mite can be difficult to
control due to numerous
factors: short generation
time, potential for rapid
increase in suitable
environments, small size, and amazing genetic plasticity allowing for the
development of resistance to many commonly used pesticides. They
feed by sucking the livin' daylights out of the host - literally! They pierce
the plant cells and suck out the plant juices that contain chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the compound that helps translate light energy into stored
food reserves within the plant. They suck the livin' daylights out of the
plant! We hate them.
How do we say "Search and Destroy?" It's as easy as A,B,C…and D. But
just like the alphabet, you have to use more than one letter. As mentioned
earlier, TSSM are notorious for their habit of being quick change artists.
Too much of a good thing and the beasts move forward, evolving genetic
resistance. Rotate your chemicals for best practice application.
Ais for Azadirachtin. Azadirachtin is a Neem tree extract that blocks the
production of hormones vital to growth and maturity. Az is listed as a
general use pesticide and has a very low toxicity rating. My personal
favorite pesticide, this all around "Good Joe" works wonders in its oil
formulations - as an expressed oil, right from the plant. In addition to the
action of azadirachtin, the oil has a smothering effect. It is relatively
harmless to non target species like birds, spiders, butterflies, bees, and
ladybugs. Az has the added benefit of killing eriophyid mites. It breaks
down rapidly in light and water.
B is for Bifenthrin. Bifenthrin is registered for use on greenhouse
ornamentals and cotton. It is for retail sale and use only by certified
applicators and persons under their direct supervision. It is a pyrethroid
class chemical pesticide that works on the nervous system and causes
paralysis. It is very toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. It is
moderately toxic to birds. While it is a pyrethroid class chemical, we
cannot really deem it organic.
B can be for Biological. Biological mite control is most effective in
enclosed situations such as greenhouses. Phytoseiulus persimilis is
the most common predatory mite used against TSSM. Remember that
when using chemicals, the good guys die too.
C is for Chlorpyrifos.
Chlorpyrifos is an
organophoshate that is
considered moderately
toxic. It is considered a
general use pesticide
and is available to
homeowners. It was
originally use to kill
mosquitoes but is no
longer registered for this
purpose. (It killed all the
fish too.) It acts on pests as a contact poison but also has some action
as a stomach poison. For spider mites, it controls reasonably; however, it
does not eradicate. I find it effective but, again, the little creeps build up
tolerance quickly. It is very highly toxic to birds and fish. As a general use
pesticide, it is not the best choice and should be used only for specific
applications. It's rough stuff.
D is for Dimethoate. Dimethoate is another organophosphate, similar to
Chlorpyrifos. Studies show a higher kill rate in mites than Chlorpyrifos. It
is a broad spectrum pesticide labeled for general use. It acts as a
contact and systemic pesticide. The advantage to this pesticide is that it
has a less toxic footprint in the environment. While still very highly toxic to
birds and bees, it is less toxic to fish. Used as an alternative to other
chemicals, in rotation, with specific application, according to directions,
carefully handled, (can there be one more caveat?) these chemicals are
reasonable to use.
Can you tell I am not anxious to use most chemicals? When dealing with
TSSM, remember to alternate treatments. Using one chemical all
season will frequently result in resistant strains of mites that tolerate
pesticide applications. Always follow labeled directions. Never apply oils
on days that are too hot or too cold. Keep close watch on your plants.
Early infestations of TSSM are easier to eradicate than large swaths of
webbing from populations that originated in the last century. Did I
mention? We hate them!
Upcoming Roundups
is best for uncooked frostings due to the increased concern about the
presence of salmonella bacteria in raw eggs. Meringue powder is
available in stores where decorating and baking supplies are sold.
Texas Roundup
May 10, 2008
Uschi Gassett's home
Redfield Arkansas
Time Late Morning to EarlyAfternoon
Raspberry Sherbert
This easy sherbert is great served with the bunny cookies (see
below).
You will need: ·
1 bag (12 ounces) frozen dry-pack raspberries, thawed. ·
1 cup low-fat buttermilk ·
2/3 cup sugar
How to Make Your Raspberry Sherbert
Combine raspberries, buttermilk and sugar in blender. Whirl until
smooth. Strain through sieve to remove seeds. Freeze in ice-cream
maker according to manufacturer's directions. To freeze by hand, place
puree in 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Freeze. Scrape into food
processor. Whirl, scraping down side of work bowl as needed, until
smooth. Serve immediately. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a few
fresh raspberries if desired (Optional).
Pollen Bank Update
Contact Uschi for more info.
Florala Swap
April 26, 2008
FL/AL Swap April 26, 2008 at the Florala State Park on Lake Jackson in
Florala, AL. For those new to this swap, this is on the Florida/Alabama
state line (hence FL/AL Swap). There is a campground on park grounds,
fishing, swimming, paddle boats (for spouses and children, the
plantnuts will be busy of course).
If you have never gone to a swap, make this the year you do! It is a world
of fun swapping plants, meeting the faces that go with the names you
have been seeing online and a little eating on the side. We have folks
from way up north in cold country and from way down south in tropical
Florida and places in between come to this swap. So you know it is
interesting!
And don't think you have to have a zillion plants to swap to come.
Gardeners are generous people and not everyone ( not many in fact)
expect a plant for plant swap. And there are always lots of extras begging
for a new home!
Written by Delisa Harvey
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Contact gingerly for more info
Members who I would like to
thank for donations to the
Pollen Bank this quarter are:
How about trying an Agave?
Written by TeresaInCal
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
Amy (Tallgrass)
Wendy Johnson (wjhnsn)
Agave, also known as the Century Plant because after about 100 years or
so, the plant will send up a HUGE 20-30', yes FOOT flower, is one of my
favorite plants, so I thought I'd start off telling you all how I became a
collector.
Gary Morales
Patricia Watson
TriFred
Sharon (Kendalrosey)
Big Al
Brenda Delph
Joyce (zzsBabiez)
Brenda Sipher (theraglady)
Patricia Watson
I can't say thank you enough for the members who take time to donate
pollen to the pollen bank. It takes time and effort to collect, label, dry,
and ship to the pollen bank. Members who send pollen to the pollen
bank are usually multiple time donors. I have been receiving lots of
pollen from our more southern state members who have lots of
blooms during this cooler weather. At this time there are 90 different
types of pollen in the pollen bank.
Tallgrass has generously donated some much treasured vulcanicola
pollen. This donation has been a huge success for members from the
USAand also international members desiring this pollen. The only
country that I know of that doesn't allow a pollen shipment without a
permit is Australia. If you are from Australia you may obtain an import
permit for brugmansia pollen. So far Steve Shore is our onlyAustralian
member with a pollen import permit.
One day I was driving down
a rural road, on my way to
go shopping, I passed by
an old house that I had
passed a zillion times, and
always admired the several
HUGE specimens of Agave
in front of it. I noticed they
had cut them back, and I
mean WAY back. Who
knows how old these plants
were, but I can tell you they
were a good 5-6' tall, and
wide. The owners had cut all around the base of the plants, making them
narrow. I assume they did this so a person could walk around them
without being impaled, but personally I think they look better untouched.
Anyway, at the same time, they decided to rip out all of the offsets, or
"pups" that had been growing under the mother plants, which they just
left on the side of the road! Now, being the cheapscate, ahem, I mean
frugal person that I am, I immediately pulled my old Ford Explorer over,
and went up to the house to ask if, by chance I might have one or two of
the pups that *obviously* needed me. The kind lady at the door said "Oh,
YES, take them ALL!" Well, you can imagine how thrilled I was! So I
scooped up as many as I could, and stuffed them into the back of my
vehicle, and was on my merry way! Now even though these were just the
common Agave Americana, the blue one, it really set me on the track to
find more, different types of Agave.
Upon searching, mostly on
the internet, I've come to learn
that there are HUNDREDS of
different Agaves! I was able to
get my hands on some Agave
Americana variegata, which is
the more common variegated
one. This plant has the cream
to yellow stripes on the
outside of the leaves. Then I
found one, courtesy of ebay,
that the variegation on the
INSIDE of the leaves, Agave
Americana, 'Mediopicta, alba', also hardy down to 20 degrees.
Mary our Webmistress, Seed Banker, and Treasurer has set up the
pollen bank in the same fashion as the seed bank. Pollen may now
be ordered straight from the pollen bank and members ordering
pollen are directed to Paypal to pay for packaging and shipping. Pollen
is then shipped out much faster than the older way of ordering pollen.
One of the best features is the ability to check in at the bank and see
when you last ordered seed. This new pollen bank is also visually
pleasing and the pollen plant photos are right there instead of having
to do a search to find out what the donor plant looks like. The new
features of the pollen bank also make things much easier for the
pollen banker. The new style bank is a hit for all of us. Thank you Mary!
Education & Research Committee Report
Written by Diane Krny
Monday, 10 March 2008 06:00
I recently found a
few forums with
threads about
various methods
of making your
own cloner for
rooting cuttings
and some folks
have been having
some pretty impressive results. Cloners are different than regular
bubblers because the cuttings are suspended above the water line
and
either sprayed intermittently with water/solution (in the commercial
type) or in these homemade types..air stones are used and the
bubbles rising to the surface burst and spray droplets onto the
suspended cuttings, supposedly keeping them just moist enough to
root without rotting. I was very intrigued as one person has been
having phenomenal success rooting roses this way. So..I reviewed
several of their plans and decided to create my own small scale trial
one, with a few modifications of my own..to try and root some roses.
Here is the photo journal of my creation..
Things you will need:
small shoebox size Rubbermaid container with lid
small sheet of 1/2 inch foam (got mine at Joanne Fabrics)
6 9 oz clear plastic cups
1 small aquarium pump (Walmart again..$6.00)
2 - small aquarium air stones (I ended up using the small
cheap blue
.69 ones from Walmart)
about 4ft or so of tubing for air stones
I traced around the
bottom of the cups on
the lid of the container
and had hubby dearest
cut the holes with his
hole drill (used for
drilling doorknob
holes) - attached to his
drill. We made the
wholes 2.5" in
diameter which just
allowed about 1-1.5" of the cup to hang down inside the container.
Next I cut out the bottoms of
the cups leaving a small lip
- then I traced the bottoms
One day while at Lowes (of all places) I came across a curly leaved
Agave called Agave bracteosa. This one doesn't have the sharp spines,
or serration on the leaves, so it's a bit of a "safer" plant. Another one I
have is an Agave stricta, which as very thin leaves. It is different from a lot
of other Agaves, because here in my zone 9, it can burn in the full sun. It's
hardy down to 20 degrees or so. So far, I've been able to get 5 different
Agaves here and there, and have noticed that they're not very readily
available from your average nursery. I believe the reason for this is
because they can be very slow growing.
Now, myself, I think they're wonderful plants. Will do fine in terracotta pots
for several years, very low maintenance, and of course you barely water
them. There are few, pests that bother them with exception to the snout
weevil. As a side note, this weevil, in grub form is the same "worm" that is
found at the bottom of the tequila bottle!
As long as you have the room to let them do what they want, you'll be
rewarded. But I think some people may shy away from them because of
their size, or maybe because they associate them with being a "tropical"
plant. Well, let me tell you, there are several Agaves out there that can
withstand VERY cold temps, even below freezing! Most, if not all Agaves
like very well draining soil, so if you have them in a pot, you should use
more sand or perlite then you would with other plants.
Products made from Agave are a
sweet syrup/nectar, tequila, and
mescal. The Aztecs used agave
sap for wound healing, as well as
enemas. Agave juice would be
applied to cuts to ease the pain and
ease the pain of whips. The fibers
are used to make cloth, and netting.
Considering they're so easy to
grow, and environmentally friendly, why not try an Agave? It just could start
another obsession!
of the cup on the sheet of
1/2" foam to make little
circles that would just fit
inside the bottom of the
cup. I cut a slit halfway
across the foam..the idea
is to wrap the cutting in the
foam to support it inside the cup allowing 2" or so to hang down inside
the cloner just barely above the water level.
This is what the top of
the cloner looks like
with the cups in place:
a view of the bottom so you can see the part that hangs down in the
cloner:
Next I drilled a small
hole on the side of
the container to feed
the tubing through
and connect the air
stone to rest on the
bottom. I ended up
drilling two holes one
in each side and
using 2 small air
stones instead of this
one large one because, believe it or not, the small air stones made
bigger bubbles that splashed up on the cuttings better than this large
one. If you use two air stones - be sure to get a pump that has two
outlets.
Lastly I set my
creation up on my
seedling bench
downstairs under
florescent lights,
prepared my cuttings
and slipped them in
the foam holders. I
put 4 rose cuttings
and just had to try
brugs..so I stuck two
brug cuttings in there too.
To the water I added 1 tablespoon of Kickstart - which is a biostimulant for root growth and baby plants.
The results - well my rose
cuttings did not make it…after
the first month in the cloner, I got
sick and neglected the water
level in the cloner and the
cuttings turned black and died.
However, the Brugmansia all
rooted - within 1-2 weeks with
beautiful roots as seen here.
After this initial experiment I
used the cloner to successfully
root 4 more brug cuttings with
no losses.
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