Karyn

Those are just beautiful the way they are! :) Such a mixture of plants! Wow! Give up the living room & dining room - you don't need those two rooms anyway!

Mike

Mike we are seriously considering giving up the dining room for the season. It wouldn't be bad for plants because it has a huge sky light and I'm not investing in anymore HID systems. The only problem is that I host Thanksgiving dinner every year and have about 15 people over and my kitchen is way too small to fit everyone. I might have to re-evaluate what I have inside and play Russian roulette with my other plants in the GH. I have some big plumerias that are inside just until they finish blooming and a couple gingers too. Once they are back in the GH that will free up a good amount of space. My citrus fruit will probably abort if I keep those in the GH but I might have to do it anyway. I still have to get the misters and fans set up and quick because the plants are pretty crowded together. I can't wait for my first spider mite and mealy bug outbreaks! lol
Karyn

Karyn

I've seen your posts! You're a wise person & I'm sure you'll figure out something that's going to be beneficial to the plants & to the family. Until Thanksgiving gets here - enjoy the plants in the dining room! :) They look great!

Mike

Wow Karyn! LOL That's amazing! I just showed my DH and he looked at me and said "don't you do that!" I got a laugh out of that as I am so new to brugs...but I guess he knows how I can get with my plants and garden. I also got an Iochroma this summer from a trade with a member in my city, so that is one more plant that is new to my sunroom this year. All my brugs except the one I got in June at an exchange, are cuttings, so not taking up much room this year. I wonder what next year will look like and the year after and the year after.....LOL
Lois

WOW-WEE, Karyn. They do add up, don't they? At Thankgiving, instead of place cards, just assign plant seating ... "So & So behind the pink Brugmansia and So & So next to the Rainbow plumaria ..." etc. ROFL! It's a sickness, and we addicts need some sort of rehab program !!!! Thanks for the post, glad I'm not alone in my addiction! :0) Gloria

These need to come in by tomorrow afternoon and then I first have to start trying to dig the rest of my brugs and passies out of the garden : ( I also have to take a ride up to the GH and see what's going on in there. I still have more brugs to cut up there but it was just easier to get them put away while we had the help and use of the truck. I can use my van to move the cuttings.
Karyn

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Karyn

Stop posting pics!! It appears to be getting worse & worse! :) But - very beautiful at the same time! And I thought making a plant room in the extra full bath was bad! Wow! I feel lucky now - after seeing what you'll be going through!

Mike

It is getting worse! If you see me posting in the future about wanting anymore brugs (besides the ones I have coming from recent trades) before next spring just remind me about this! lol
Karyn

LOL Karyn, maybe instead of sending postage for some of your cuttings I should have sent a uhaul and brought home the entire plants. We're all so crazy when it comes to plants.

I just bought a small greenhouse to put my Brug cuttings and a few other plants in. Well dog-gone-it I ended up with alot more plants to go inside than I thought I had. Lots of different begonias, a few bromelaids, ferns, purple elephant ears, banana tress, Oh MY! How did I end up with all this tropical stuff? DUH So it was right back to purchase another greenhouse 3 days later. Next year were just going to build a BIG one. LOL and maybe I'll be able to get all my Brug cuttings everyone is sending me in it. Now how big did ya'll say these things grow in one year? How many different colors of Brugs are there and what about the singles, doubles, and triple blooms. Oh and I got a small Datura yesterday too. How fast do they grow? I would like some ginger plants if anyone has any small ones to share. Someone help me here. How do I take care of these critters in the greenhouse. Do I want to let the Brug and Dat's kind of go dormant or do I want to encourage them to reach for the moon?

Maybe I should get someone to help me build a big greenhouse next week, yikes this is already out of hand and I'm just getting started with little tiny Brug cuttings. LOL

I can't wait for you to start cutting your Brugs and sending me some of those little jewels.

Happy Gardening, Marian

Wow Karyn, looks like a beautiful tropical"JUNGLE"!!!Your DH must really love you!LOL
Theresa

Karyn, all I can say is "you are a true gardener"! If I lived in colder weather, I don't think I could go through what you go through each year, moving plants/trees/pots back and forth. Good luck.

I have it figured there is a lot of space left. Hooks from the ceiling and hanging baskets. Maybe a few wire mesh selves so you can double up. Or triple up.Anything you have from me let freeze and I can send more in the spring. I am planting a winter crop now. S. Texas is so pretty this time of the year.

Jim

If we were still heating the GH to the same temps we used to I wouldn't need to put a single plant in my house. The heated GH is 200' x 75' but it's gotten too expensive to heat above 60 F. It's set just above 40 now, which is borderline for some of my plants. The other GH is about 1/5 the size but doesn't have heat and there's some reason that it's not heated. I'm not sure why, maybe it wouldn't hold the heat? It's like a big hoop house set directly on the ground with a gravel floor.

Marian it sounds like you've got it bad. lol You are going to end up just like me with all the different tropicals. If I could just concentrate on one kind of plant it would be manageable but that's just not possible! I wouldn't bother wintering daturas over. They are too easy to grow as annuals from seed. Since you are just starting your brug cuttings keep them growing. You can let them go dormant next year. I couldn't tell you how many different brugs are available and new ones come out every year. The only thing I've never seen is a purple brug but you have the purple daturas : ) I sent you an email.
Karyn

Poor Karyn. I wish I lived closer to you. I could take some of those plants and rehome them for you for the winter (evil grin) my garage is going to be just as bad so I'm thinking about the guest bedroom and bath too. Thanksgiving will be a problem for me too. Just stick that plumeria in the shower with you while your at it and climb over the Ti leaf to get to the bed and don't opend that closet there is a dormant plant in there sleeping, lol. Most of my stuff I have collected this year and only had a couple of small beds to put things in. I told DH he better make them bigger...Oops. I have never met a plant I did not like. We stopped in a bait store when we went fishing tonight and I made a beeline to a plant outside the door. Is this for sale? No but I will give you a cutting. Great! Whoohooo I got a devils backbone and some minnows. I think I'm an addict. I got a feeling when DH starts helping me drag the plants in next weekend I might get my new bigger bed for Christmas. Yeah! Hope you get some more help. Your gonna have a sore back tomorrow. Do you and your husband grow commercially? I meant to ask when I saw all the greenhouse pics. You have a lovely assortment. I went to a master gardener sale today and your plants put them to shame. Don't let the madness stop you just keep on growing em all.
Kristy

Saw a bunch of pretty Plumeria today. So I went on ebay. Look what I found. I am slowly becoming a dat person. They seem to like our heat. Lots of empty spots that nothing but grass or dats might grow. Each plant gives at least 5 pods with 50+ seeds. Hmmmmm I like take over plants. There are 2 kinds of plants here those that take over and those that die.

Karen it is sooo pretty where you live. I would love to live back up there again someday. Maybe when I retire I will spend a year or more in the North East. I am sure your plants love you in the winter....

Here is a link that might be useful: Techno ??? Chicago Plumeria ???

It really is beautiful here except for the winter. We don't normally get a lot of snow just cold, especially during Jan & Feb. I'm just not a cold weather person and start hibernating when the daytime temps are below 60. lol

I've met a few people on GW that live nearby. Whenever they come for a visit they go home with a carload of plants. There's a woman that I've become friendly with that lives closeby who puts my plants to shame. She has the most wonderful gardens. She also hosts the local spring plant swap. Her yard is really one of the most beautiful private gardens that I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. She shared a number of really nice brug cuttings and I can't wait to see them next season. Her Day Dreams and Wretched Mess were huge and covered with flowers. I'm not sure what kind of magic she works in her garden but I wish some of it would rub off on me!
Karyn

I too have a friend who comes down to the coast every few weeks. They bought a house to retire down here. Her plants are 2x-3X my size. She always gives me plants. Her 2 year old plumeria are 6' trees and still blooming. I will get some cuttings in the spring. She is going to try out the exotic Brugs. double and triples. I have a nephew who is supposed to be stationed in Germany in the next month. I might have him smuggle a few German brugs for her. LOL I could not raise them. They would surely die on me.

I am happy with my bloomers. They are really liking the cool weather and their regular fertilizing. You can smell them 300+ feet down wind. I have 20 surrounding my hot tub which is on so I will have to take a dip and sleep.

Karyn! LOL - oh boy - your back! I'm glad I read you had some help!

Jeep-Jim - I just bid on the chicago plumies - LOL. . .

Karyn - I like Jim's idea. Some of those large plastic stacking shelves would work for the shorties - against the stationary window - give them some light - free up some floor for the taller ones. 2 deep - the ones on the leading edge of the shelves would get some of your fantastic HID lighting - those near the window would get the daylight.

Your plants are so stunning - they're wonderful! When I grow up, I wanna be just like you! (grin) Wow, what a wonderful collection.

DH just said "see? Be careful - don't turn it into a job - keep it a hobby - something you enjoy." Gave him a big ol' raspberry - thththththththththththt!

That IS the result of loving something like that - and being GOOD at it!

Some day. . .maybe that can be me.

Dweeb your DH has a point. People are always asking me why I don't sell my plants. The most I usually do is trade online or with the man who owns a local nursery. I occasionally sell but that's very infrequent. The 30 orchids that DH brought home yesterday will probably be posted on Craigslist but not the plants that I've been growing for my own enjoyment. I don't want it to be a job. I garden as an escape and a form of relaxation. Even with all the aggravation, especially when it's time to move them, I still thoroughly enjoy them : ) My back is screaming at me today. I popped a couple percocet after I finished last night and again this morning. At least I have another week before I have to check in with my neurosurgeon. Gives me a little time to recover so I don't get yelled at! lol
Karyn

LOL!!!! All I can do is laugh.. I have almost delpeted all of the space I've got.. There are 20 somethings banana's under the house and a 5' Iochroma in the kitchen sink..DH refused to move out furniture so I have had to pack the messy room . I had to cover the carpet with bisqueen and I even brought the dogs swimming pool in ...Every window and corner is full..I haven't even finished taking cuttings of the passi's...LOL DH just walks around shaking his head and muttering something...

Karyn: I'm so sorry you're in deep pain. I wouldn't have made such a funny. I'm sorry.

And yes - it truly looks like you love your hobby.

I love it also. (Just not as good at it as you are!)

There's just something about getting dirty and watching something grow - live - bloom.

It's quiet time to do that. No laundry - no meetings - no suit and heels - no hearings - no agendas. Just you and the dirt.

It's something living - and even if it got out of control - it's easy to just step back and say "ya know - let's try something else."

Anyone ever sit in a meeting - look down at the small crack of dirt still at the edge of a fingernail and smile?

Karyn - your collection is lovely! Good luck with your Dr appointment - hope everything goes well.

Karen AND Chena...I just exhaled!! I thought I had plants
to deal with. I feel good after looking at all of those
in your living room...isn't it a great feeling? You just
put a thought in my head, Chena...under the house!! There's
plenty of room there. Back to digging and chopping.

Margaret

I'm going out to the garage to see if I can find some potting soil. I don't think I have any left. I think I have some compost though.

I'm going to try to pot up some of the cranky cuttings. See if that works. Compost and Vermiculite - well draining - good for the plant. . .

karyn1, been there done that until the 'D' word was stated and then I had to find a different place for all the babies. Hope you know you aren't alone!

Karyn - trying to upload pics for you of my still as yet unfinished "green" room. . .camera is being crabby now too.

Karyn, I showed this thread to DH this morning, and he feels a "LITTLE" better about my obsession now. I use only a portion of the dining room and the spa room inside my house, and the rest I have to cut, push and cram either in the garage or the plant room. I AM scaling back this year (and I mean that), so I will not have so much to do next fall.

Ok - here's my unfinished green room - should be done in the next week or so.

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Guess I'm trying to be just like Karyn. (grin) Man I have to negotiate harder for those HIDs.

I might be new here but I have the perfect suggestion!

Pack them up and send them to me C.O.D.
I'll pay for the shipping and some extra for your time and trouble.
See? Problem solved! *grin*

What a wonderful variety of plants you have and I can only hope my newly redone mini-budget backyard makeover can have your variety one day.

Living in S. California we don't have to do the wintering of our gardens. I can only imagine how much work that is!

you are all so lucky. Imagine me in my 10 ft wide trailer. I will be living with the plants all around me!,(might be therapeutic!) -kitchen table and couch might have to go :)

Dweeb there's nothing to apologize for about for my back. Better living through chemicals! lol I've had a couple surgeries and refuse anymore. I would probably do much better if I'd cut down on my activity level but that's no fun. I see my neurosurgeon every few months, my orthopod and pain management Drs every month and I sit and listen to them all yell at me then go do as I please. lol They say that people in the medical field make the worst patients and they're probably correct. By profession I'm an orthopedic PA. Your green room is going to be great. How much longer until it's finished? Margaret that's not my living room. It's a spare room downstairs and half is converted into a "grow room" during the winter. I did end up putting a bunch of plants along one wall of the living room today. As a matter of fact my lovebird, whose cage is in the LR, just escaped and I had a hell of a time trying to get her out of the plants! lol I'll probably move them from the LR to the DR after Thanksgiving. I still have a bunch of plants outside but I grouped them all together and will toss a blanket over them and hope for the best. We might not get temps that are as low as first predicted.
Karyn

Karyn I know what you mean about the surgeries. I have had 3 since November of last year and something is still not right with my neck but I dont' want anymore anytime soon. That sunroom Technodweeb is building would be perfect in the back of my house. Humm, may have to do some serious begging for that. If you have any extra passi cuttings could you send me a couple with the other things we talked about by email I have some small rooted queen of the night epiphyllum if you want to trade. I only have one baby passi and the gulf frittilary cats have eaten every single leaf off of it. I have to update my list and see if there is anything I can tempt you with that I have. Good luck with your doctor appt and take another pain pill for me, lol. I am trying to not take anymore unless I have to do heavy work then there is no choice.

F4F - that's a renovated "lean-to" (like a shack) that was falling OFF the back of this little house. Those windows face North - so unfortunately, there won't be much sun coming in - but I didn't think that would be a problem. I wouldn't want sun blasting my little tomato seedlings. I'll be using lights and misters.

It's going to more be a place to hibernate the brugs. It won't be heavily heated - can't afford that! Anything else will be on heat mats under lights.

DH is thrilled that I won't have everything inside and he'll have the garage back to himself without all my stuff in it.

I really do feel for you but in some sick kinda of way man It excites me. All those big green leaves!!! I cant wait for my turn. As i stated I am new to brugs but the one I do have I chopped up into about 100 cuttings. It was over 10 feet tall. I keep my Brug in the ground.Im hopeing with enough Dr. Suess trades Ill have everything I want.(lots) LOL I thought I was crazy building a room for my English bulldogs. I guess we all have our our burdens we like bearing. I cant say I only have one I did buy one CGrim off of EBAY.

We have a number of pets that also take up a good deal of room. I haven't gone as far as building them separate living quarters. We have a dog, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 2 chinchillas, 2 sugar gliders, 4 geckos, a hamster, a lovebird, indoor fish tanks and two outdoor goldfish ponds. The chins, gliders and rabbits take up the most space because they need huge cages. The rabbits are litter box trained and used to be allowed to roam the house but when we got the dog she started chasing them so they are now caged. I can't believe they are still around. They're 10 years old and seem fine but they can't be much longer for this world.
Karyn

PS: I really should live on a farm somewhere warm. lol Then I could have a donkey and goats too : ) Jim (jeep) has some really cute goats.

Be careful what you wish for Karyn, lol. I used to live on a farm in Lousiana and had every kind of creature you could imagine at one time or other, not to mention huge gardens. I've never worked so hard in my life! Thats probably whats wrong with my neck and shoulder, lol. I am now happy on my big lot in a subdivision and 3 dogs, 2 birds, and fish tank but I do want a small goldfish pond someday and a greenhouse or sunroom.

I really, really want a farm with animals, no horses though. I haven't ridden in years. We do have a small 10 acre farm near our house but DH refuses to let me get any animals to keep there. It has a nice stable and plenty of out-buildings on the property but he won't go for it. He knows that he'd be the one that would have to go up there in rotten weather to take care of them. lol
Karyn

This thread goes on and on. Karyn, you're out of control. I need to take a photo of my garage right now. The entire side is lined with brugs, trop. bananas, and plumerias. The back (box) of the pickup is full. Two florescent lights on timer. Two windows. Down in basement is HID light with epis, cacti and plumie seedlings. My office has plumies in bud, phal orchids. Never enough room! Still need to dig a few plants I can't bear to lose like X. 'Lime Zinger', Hedych. greenei, Canna 'Stutgardt', etc.

I took a ride to the GH. I didn't realize that the sides hadn't been put down along the east side of the GH yet. Right now all my plants are bunched up in two little spaces. I'll spread them out once the east side is closed in. It's still really warm in there and the brugs I cut back are already putting out new growth. It looks like I'll be piching the brugs back for quite a while. Nothing wants to go dormant yet. The brugs that are bare were stripped the other day and most of the others had the majority of their foliage removed, I just left the buds. The foliage hasn't even really started yellowing yet. I did end up having to line some plants against a living room wall. It's messy but I don't have a choice and I still have all the plants in the garden that are just waiting to be dug up. Dave you are right. Is is out of control. lol
Karyn

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WOW!!Karyn I could live in that GH...LOL
Dweeb.. Your GR is looking good...I am so very happy for you!!!..and a little jealous I might add!!!
Chena

The GH is huge. You are only seeing about a third of it in the pics. That's the problem. It's so big that it costs a fortune to heat. I wish there was some way we could section off a small part and just heat that area but since it's not glass we can't secure anything to the plastic, poly, whatever the stuff is made out of.
Karyn

Thanks Chena.

Getting ready to run the insulation in - nail up some plywood - run some 1 x 2s and peg board.

Outlets all OVER the place - even on the ceiling! For the thoroughly argued over HIDs. (grin)

Dweeb,

You'll find those HIDs really put out the heat. It should be nice and toasty in there during the day, then cooler at night -- which is what you want. Wish I had that space!

Yep we are all jealous, lol. I wonder if you could hang some visquine from the overhead poles. You would lose some heat over the top but it might help some.

What's visquine?
Karyn

Karyn:

Heavier than average plastic. Has a myriad of uses. Some of which is also as a ground cover under mulch. But it prevents moisture reaching the soil and generally causes problems years later with dirt on TOP. (Sound like I have experience with that?!?)

It large rolls of plastic. I think someone is suggesting a wall of plastic to section off your Greenhouse so you can heat it a little and not the entire structure.

That greenhouse is amazing!

We've considered using poly to section it off but we can't secure it well enough to keep the heat from escaping. If it was a glass house or even a rigid plexiglass we could but we can't attach anything to the plastic and there's too many gaps if we just attach it to the framing. I'd love a glass house but I couldn't begin to imagine what one the size of our GH would cost. I know someone who built a beautiful iron and glass house, maybe 20'L x 20'W x 15'H and that was over 40K and they did much of the construction themselves. Neither DH nor I are mechanically inclined and have to hire out pretty much everything.
Karyn

Dave in nova: That be nice if they heat that much. . .

It will probably barely be used in the summer - starts and stuff. Heavy use in the winter for protecting and growing things.

Originally - wasn't going to do anything - just rip it down. Then DH saw me scoping an area in his BIG new garage - and said no,no nononononooooooo, that's MY work bench area. . . .repair that shack for her - make it usable. So it's actually more a defense mechanism on his part. (grin)

Thats too funny. I maybe I should try to put my plants in my husbands work bay at the shop, lol. Karyn sorry I didn't get back to you sooner they are correct. It is thick clear plastic. I probably spelled visquine wrong.