Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Brugmansia

CJ writes~
I live in Houston, TX. I have a Brugmansia, orange colored, that I planted a little over a year ago from a 1 ft tall plant. It is now about 6 ft tall and got bit pretty bad by frost in February but has come back wonderfully. I have noticed some of the leaves yellowing the last few days. I had not been watering a lot yet, but started the last few days. I read they like to be moist. Is that correct? Also, I read that they like nitrogen rich soil. Can you recommend a good nitrogen rich fertilizer?

A. Summer (After Danger of Frost):
If not growing in the ground, pot the Brugmansia in a large container (14" is sufficient) using a lightweight soil mixture. Water regularly and feed once per week with a soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro, per package directions or up to double that amount. Alternatively, use a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote. Your plant will need watering every day in hot weather. Ensure that the pot has good drainage as the plant should not become water-logged. Brugmansia go through an "upright" growth phase, then begin to branch. Flowers will develop at the nodes of the branches. Blooms tend to come in flushes, drop off, then the cycle repeats itself.

Fall/Winter:
Allow a frost to kill the leaves so that they drop (prevents a mess later on). Cut back the plant by one-third and store it in a cool place where it will not freeze. Water only enough to keep it from becoming dried out. Don't fertilize. The plant will re-grow some shoots, but will go into a state of dormancy. It should be kept cool (cellar temperature), and does not need light. You may produce new plants by placing the pruned branches in water (1/2 way), then transferring them to soil when new roots are just visible.

Spring:
After frost danger passes, prune the plant by another third to produce a healthy point for new growth. Begin the water and feeding regimen again. These cuttings may be rooted as above.

From: http://www.americanbrugmansia-daturasociety.org - A great website full of additional useful information.