I got a brug this summer too; grew like mad and actually bloomed.

My plan is to bring it inside for the winter, but I'm not going to keep it under lights. The room is not dark, but I do tend to like it cool in the winter, so I usually either turn the heat down or open windows. My understanding is that this is one tough plant - it will lose all its leaves and look like a bare stick, but once back outside in the spring, it will pick right up again. My goal is to keep the roots alive; the plant is already about 4 feet tall and I'm hoping not to have to cut it back - at least this year.

I overwintered my fig inside this past year, no special lights, just put it near the terrace door where it got decent light. It did just fine.

That said, I suppose keeping it under lights will not hurt it. Just don't be surprised if it begins to look bedraggled, as long as it stays alive. They like lots and lots of sun.

Oh, and watch out for spider mites - they seem to love this plant.

PV

Thanks, PV; and esecially for the warning about how it may look.

I have so many iffy things ... iffy if it will make it outside, iffy if it will make it inside ... guess it will be interesting if I can learn to roll with the punches.

I started out the year not having a clue about zones. Then I went to the 'nothing that's not hardy to my zone' phase. Then I was getting so ticked off about the things I really wanted that are not hardy to this zone, that I'm now in the 'heck, give it a try phase'. All in one season :~D

I know exactly what you mean. I've gone from "do I have to bring it inside? Then I don't want it" to "where can I put it in here and keep it alive?". I've always had lots of houseplants, but this overwintering inside thing is hard. The fig tree is going to be difficult this year - it's gotten so big (wide), I don't even know if I can get it inside. Might have to figure out how to protect it outside.

But it's all fun ....

What color brug did you get?

A note on the brug - get a big pot! They get big - quick!

PV

OH I had a dozen or so.. but managed to give away a bunch from 4-6' all flowering... got plenty left .. if you want to see them I think they are still blooming.. they won't stop.. write me and we'll talk brugs... but they overwinter nicely.. as sticks or I keeep them going in front of a window.. and sometimes get blooms in the winter also... real wonderful scent to them... so sweet at night.. but they will loose their outside leaves and get new ones used to the new inside conditions.. don't water too much in the transition and while inside.. and they are the bugs favorite... especially my varigated ones.. but you can battle them there... as they will leave the others alone... I've laso got plumerias a blooming now as well... I'm in Brooklyn... 4th stop on the F line into bklyn.. please feel free to come and visit them... Gordon

PV, it's peach/white ... that's what finally made me succumb, I am a sucker for peach flowers. Bought it on ebay (first ever plant purchase on ebay, crossing fingers) ... seller's own cross, she says. Some will be white, some peach, and some marbled. Should arrive tomorrow or the next day; but I suspect I'll have to wait til next year to see the flowers, no?

Gordon, I thought hardiness was 8-10, so I never even considered leaving it out! You'll be hearing from me, thanks :~)

OH Meg...
They are out now.. I bring them in when it gets cold... some winnter them dormatly.. cool or warm place with no water .. little light.. then out in the spring for them..
I've been bring mine in and putting them in as much light as is available.. watering and feeding.. they do drop leaves but they soon regrow leaves accustomed to the lower light levels.. and they grow nocely till spring..
Outside here they will definately turn to mush.. gauaranteed...
Oh the other way to manage the big plants id to take a large cutting .. root it during the winter and then putting it out when it's warm.. there you're dealing with smaller plants all winter .. and still getting a already growing item to go out in the spring
hope this clears up the idea you can leave them outside
Gordon

Thanks for the heads up, Gordon. I wasn't going to try it ... I already know YOU can do things I can't :-)

What is a Brug? Flow.

Brugmansia. Check the link below, if you're curious. Or go to the gallery section of the Brugmansia forum here on GW; some very pretty pictures there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brugmansias org

Will someone please tell me what LOL means! FLOW.

FLOW -

LOL!

It means "laughing out loud" (or "lots of luck" or "lots of love" - depending on the context).

There's a link below to a list of acronyms.

"DH" drove me nuts for quite a while ...

LOL!

PV

Here is a link that might be useful: Acronyms

Now that I`ve seen many pics. of Brugs I know I`ve been admiring them for years but never knew the name. Anice lady here in B.C. is sending me some cuttings and seeds this week, I can`t wait! I will be planting them in a huge oak whiskey barrell next spring. Should hold three. It will be to big to lift. I wonder if I cover it with plexy glass they would survive the winter. Any thoughts? FLOW.

Hey Meg - if it dies under the grow lights, let me know and Ill send you a cutting. I used to live in NY, had a balcony, and I'll tell you it's much easier growing things in the south! Chances are though, it'll live. You'd be really surprised how much of a "beating" brugs can take.

Flow,
Here's a picture of a bloom of one of mine from this year...

{{gwi:4078}}

Most kind offer, Kneecop :-)
It's still alive, just a bit sickly looking.

Well Meg.. is it still alive.. it's been a few weeks since it seemed sickly...
don't forget to contact me if you have any questions or for that bit of one to grow as well.. you can have another cutting at anytime to grow out.. if you get them growing soon you'll have the flowers by fall... given enough sun and such... Gordon

It's alive, but sicklier :-( All the top leaves fell off, and it's now a long stem with tons of tiny leaves sprouting from the whole length of it. This isn't right, is it?

That's basically what mine looks like, Meg. In the last week or so, it has developed one new stem that has good sized leaves on it. I expect those will drop off before it's warm enough to get it outside. But it's still alive - so that's all good!

PV

kneecop, thanks so much for the wonderful pic you posted for me last Dec.11/04. What type of Brug is it? Since then I have started four healthy Brugs! See "Dainty Little Flower"in Brug Forum, the bloom is huge! I have a big cutting started from that very plant! Thanks to RosieGA! Also have C. Grimaldi,Frosty Pink,and unknown seedling. Also have a doz. Daturas of many types. I have five more Brugs coming soon!I am now officaly a"Brug Addict"!! LOL! Ihave many other Exotic Plants that I started in my plant room this winter. I have learned Sooooo much from all the nice folks on the Gweb I can`t begin to thank you all!! Will post pics when they bloom. FLOW

Hey FlowPow,
That was just an unnamed pink that I had - my first brug. I hope to have some more better pictures this year...

It got sick, it almost died; but I revived it :-) Repotted it, started putting it outside in good weather, etc. I half expected to lose the leaves that had developed indoors, but I didn't. Seemed to be doing well; now I see somebody else likes it, too :-( Quite rude, don't you think, after I worked so hard to keep it alive? Anyway, any idea what's causing this kind of damage?

{{gwi:4080}}

Good to hear its alive and kickin!
Where's the damage? You mean the little holes in the leaves? If that's all you have I woudn't worry at all - they drop and regrow leaves like its goin out of style...

Well, that and some of the leaves look eaten away at the edges.

LOL - I am only now looking at this thread and no I don't have a brug. hee hee I guess I never got into them. One of my sisters likes them though, although she hasn't had one for awhile. My other sister has plain night blooming "moonflower" daturas.

Well.. Meg..
You might not get the best in show in the ultimate perfect ring... but you'd be real close there... and in the total picture ring you'd be best of show.. if you had a few more or could see others after the winter.. I'd love to repost the picture for more feedback for you...I've only 4 dozen sitting in the cold rain now... so what do I know...like spring in the Andies
Gordon

Um, Gordon ... are you telling me I just ain't gonna get perfect leaves and I'm doing ok?