Caring For Your Brugmansia

[angel trumpet closeup.JPG]These beautiful fragrant plants are commonly known as Angel's Trumpet, as are the similar group known as Daturas. This week we will take a look at the Brugmansia family alone. Hailing from South America, these beauties love damp conditions with warm days and cool nights. They are in the Solanaceae family, which is the same family that tomatoes, potatoes and petunias are in. However, a word of caution: Brugmansias are toxic.

If you live in zone 9, these are long-lived perennials, but if you are in zone 8 or lower and the roots should freeze, they will die. The best thing to do is overwinter them in either a sunny window or by pruning them back and storing them in a cool, dark place such as a basement. Another option available if you have limited space is to save the seeds by placing a pantyhose or similar material over the seed pod and allowing it to open naturally. The liquid inside the seed pod is extremely dangerous, and should not be touched with bare skin. You can also take a cutting, dip it in rooting hormone and roll it in newspaper before placing in a safe place. These plants have been known to root up to two years after they have been stored in this way.

Now, you ask, I have a healthy Brugmansia, how do I go about keeping it happy? The first thing to do is make sure if you choose to grow yours in a pot that is balanced so the wind cannot knock it over. The limbs of these plants break fairly easily. Remember to leave enough room at the top of the pot to water it. They love water and can handle a drink daily in the hot summer months. Another suggestion is to fertilize your Brugmansias with a good fertilizer at least every two to three weeks. A commonly used fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro, Peters, or Andersons 17-17-17 is a good choice. Another suggestion would be to give your plant some shade during the hot part of the day. Brugmansias love full sun, but the heat caused by it can result in slowed growth, sparse or no blooms and leaf loss to name just a few of the problems.

There is no sight like that of a Brugmansia heavy with blossoms. It's just gorgeous. The perfume that the flowers release is the most sweet, intoxicating scent I have ever smelled. They are also one of the few plants that I have ever

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic