((((oxmyx))))) To late to take back what you created, I'm so sad to say. To stop the growth pattern now will effect the plant in the long run.

Hi Barry, My brugs are looking like a jungle again too! You could probably strip leaves off until about 3 or 4 weeks before setting them out. The leaves will be grown back in no time. Going "leafless" will just make stronger roots = faster growth in Spring.
I could be wrong! But in my head, that's how it goes!LOL
Theresa

Barry: How's this for a solution: Box them up and send them here (84F) I'll baby sit them and then we can sue for custody!!! LOLx3!! What a hard place to be in; you sure got the Brug Skill. You def. are the Brug Meister! (grinning) luv ya, Gloria

Barry, What a good problem to have. I bet your home looks like a jungle! LOL
Hey! Hows your Snowbank doing?
Rigo74

Yep, I think it's too late now. I wouldn't strip all the leaves, but maybe just a couple of the lowest ones to reduce the bugs a bit. Keep the light very high so they're not reaching up too much. When you water, make sure everytime that all the leaves get washed, especially underneath, to reduce the mites. Keep the humidity up as much as you can and the temps as cool as you can to also reduce the bugs.
When you have a bunch of seedlings too-packed-tight, make sure to frequently "weave" the leaves & prune so that the more vigorous do not directly shade the crown of the shorter ones. Shaded, interlocking leaves are ok, but a covered crown will really stunt the seedling.
Also stay up on very quickly removing any yellowing lower leaves so they don't become bug magnets. :^)
- Tom

yeh Karma Frankenstein here...

If I had more space things would be fine.
Well, time for the compost bin........ I could chuck the seedlings, but I don't have the heart-they look so good.

Rigo,the Snowbank is doing well.

You could crawl??? LOL

Limit light, reduce water, strip leaves, reduce temps all things plants do not like. It should slow them down. Maybe re-pot smaller?? I am not sure about pruning unless you want a bush brug any time you chop the top it gets bushy. Prune for a tree form and leave a few top leaves. IMHO

You wanted everything to be ready to go out .. Sounds like they are...LOL.. They all look so wonderful I'm sure you can suffer thru a few more weeks.. Cut back on the fertilizer.. mist mist mist, keep it cool and good air circulation..If you have mites when you move them out you may be fighting them outside as well..Glad to hear your SB is doing well!
Kylie

I bet it looks like brug heaven at your place! I have seen your pics that you have posted on your seedlings and they are very beautiful and thriving!! Hang in there it is almost time for spring! Dont throw those beauties away! If you need someone to adopt a few I am your gal! Hehe. :)

I am thinking about building a coldframe, warming at night.
keep temps above 40 degrees.

cool nights ok? Start about April 1 in for 3 1/2 weeks then begin to harden off..

How does this sound?

oxmyx, my greenhouse is now empty!! You could send them to me and I could put them in there for ya! If you are above freezing stick them outside next to the building, they should be fine as long as you give them some sort of protection if the temps get cold. The first Azalea is in full bloom so it's time to move all the babies out! Ya want to come help repot?

Karma! LOL

I have had to move some of mine outside too. The taller ones weren't letting the small ones get any light.

I am hoping to start moving mine outside in the next few weeks. I just want spring to be here already and I promise I won't complain one time about how hot it is this summer!

Mary

hey barry, got a solution for you. we can drive 20 minutes over there and come pick up your extras :D

Ria

Barry, your brugs are doing so well, congrats! Why do you feel you have to chuck some of them? Can't you just let them stay and you move out, maybe to your car :-)! Keep up the good work.

Barry, spring is almost here, just hold onto 'em. If you chuck any I will have to flog you! But here is a question for you..What in the world are you gonna do when they are bigger and you have to bring them inside this next fall? I suggest you buy a GH before fall comes. Or you can just send some to me, lol.
It's so easy to go overboard and get out of control.

Careful there Daniella... He might enjoy that floggin...LOL

Oh please flog me Daniella and Kylie!

buy a GH? LOL.... you buying?

As far as having so many to bring in... Didnt think that far ahead. Will keep choicest ones, and if the plants grow large from rooted cuttings, I may not have to be digging them up. Will have to see by the results.

All I want is a showstopper. Have the neighbors in each side of the road who will allow me to plant brugs. If I add several truckloads of compost It should be quite a site driving through. Thats the plan anyway. Whether I can acomplish this is still not certain. Right now, I am under allot of pressure to get finances straightened out. Kinda dont feel like I can play in the garden when debt looms heavy over me.
What happens to this Tropical jungle, after, is up in the air, assuming it takes off at all right now. Might have to cutback on my ideas :(

Oh wise grasshopper, you are learning and that is the important part. Some folks that just gather soon will learn to cull as these take over your lives and know they are not to be taken lightly, these are expensive plants to grow. You can do this and I can't wait to see the photos.

LMAO!!
Oh, Yeah, if I could afford a GH I'D have one! lol. Check out craigslist, and freecycle. You may be able to get a cheap one there or maybe even free..everything on freecycle is free, and craigslist has a free section as well. This time of year, ya never know, people could be replacing what they have with a bigger one and getting rid of the older one. I've been looking on there myself. Locally of course. Only found 1 in my area, but it was pretty cheap, only it was waaaay too big, lol.

Of course, you KNOW what to if you have to get rid of any come fall..we are all here for ya and will give your adoptable babies good homes. If I ever have to get rid of anything this is def the first place I would come, and give them all to you all. I know they would be loved and taken care of well.

Good luck Barry, I am sure with your growing abilities you will have many showstoppers! Maybe your neighbors will want to start paying you to be their landscaper!! Wouldn't that be fun!!

Daniella

Daniella has a wonderful point there.. You could be the local landscape Guru!!! Think about it when you get to working on yours .. everyone that see's your Brugs will want one ($$$).. That is where my lust of these beauties came from... Someone elses yard...