Hi Jill, what does that mean, training them? Is that to tie all the branches after the Y so that they will grow "upwards?" That is a possibility, however, I would have to watch out again, because there is a lattice roof over my patio and I can't let them grow too high. Sometimes I think that my little 15X12 ft, totally fenced-in patio is not big enough for brugs, especially since I have new cuttings coming. I love these plants so much and got over-excited, trying everything that was offered on the forum to multiply my collection. But they are tough guys, and so am I. It can't hurt to let them grow one way or the other, and see what happens. Ingrid

I know what you mean about being hard to cut these babies back. Today, I filled two large buckets with blooms that I cut off of my plants....pink, white, yellow, peach... I must admit, I left several white brug bushes still standing completely covered with flowers and buds, as they just don't have the scent that I want, and are fairly "ordinary". I dug up 4 others brugs today, and took cuttings of several others. These cuttings I placed into an old aquarium with a bubbler placed in the garage. Within 3 or 4 days, the white nubbies will be showing, and then I will pot the cuttings up. I believe there is a photo of some of the cuttings already potted up at: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/brug/msg100814116102.html?12 You will note that the cuttings are as large as I can get if I want to make a tree format for next year. As I mentioned, I also dug up several plants today. Some of these were 6 feet tall, and when potted are taller than I am. I put them into new soil, gave them a thorough watering, and set them in a shady spot for the already existing roots to establish themselves. I believe we are in for another few weeks of fair weather, so they will stay outside until it becomes too cold, and then I'll bring them in to the garage for the cold nights. Later, I'll take the already established plants to the basement where I'll let them go dormant ( in a room that is cool but will not freeze). The cuttings I will take inside and place in a bright area until the roots have formed, and then I will place them in a sunny location or under lights. I should have mentioned, make sure you spray with a soapy solution all the leaves (top and bottom) for bugs, and then hose that solution off before bringing them in to the house. You do NOT want an infection of spider mites or mealy bug this coming winter. Do this with your cuttings as well as your potted plants. With respect to yours, it all depends on the structure you like to see. I have some bushes, and some tree forms. Personally I like the tree forms, so I keep my eyes open for a long straight stem that I can use. Sometimes it is in the middle of a plant, and in that case, I trim off the outer branches and use them for cuttings. Sometimes ( most often ) it is an offshoot from the root that springs forth as straight as an arrow. In this case, I will make a cutting of it. When cutting back, if you wish to retain the parent plant for next year, be certain that you do not cut beneath the "Y", or you will have to wait much longer to get a bloom. When making cuttings, try to maintain some "Y"'s at the top end, and take the cutting from above the "Y". When you read the links, you will see what we mean by the "Y". Since you have blooms now, you already will know what the "Y" is all about. Good luck.

MM is in a small 8-10" pot because it is kind of a small plant and the pot seems to stay watered well so I don't know if it would be good to pot up? NN is in a large pot, not sure of the size but I have other larger brugs in the same size pot doing well. The watering is not a problem, it is just that they seem to be just sitting there. I think I'll try to get them more sun like you 2 suggested. Also, I have a CG where the new leaves are beginning to darken and curl, what is causing this? Shawn

David, I have been doing that as well, pulling off all the lower growth. But I am doing that because I don't want bushy brugs, I want taller tree like forms. Others do that as well, pull off the lower growth. Now, you say "where the first Y will be produced". They don't have Y's yet? As far as I know, you can't assume at what height it will Y. Some will Y real short, and some won't Y till they get a certain height. Also depends on where your cutting was taken from on the mother plant, assuming yours is a started cutting and not started from seed. I have some that are taller, and have no Y's, while others like my one surviving Strawberry Creme, who is short and already has a few Y's..which I am not happy about. If it gets blooms anytime soon, they will be on the ground! BUT this is my first year with brugs..sooo you should wait for someone more experienced to answer. We'll see if they say I am right or not... So how was my answer guys? :) lol. Daniella