Re: Brugmannsia

--- Richard Starkeson <johnsaia@dnai.com> wrote:

> The last tip was very helpful - now comes the
> nitrogen soak. On the subject of
> Brugmansias, here in the same seasonal climate as
> mentioned (USDA, Sunset 17),
> but much cooler, what is the best way to prune them?


Richard,

For almost anywhere in Berkeley, I'd suggest not
pruning it this late in the year, as new succulent
growth would be more susceptible to frost damage, and
if the weather gets cool fast, there may not be enough
heat to get more bloom this year, and probably not
until next spring.  From your description of growth on
your Brug- the vertical unbranched growth maybe more
related to low light levels, most Brugmanisas will
branch heavily all over the stems, and I don't note
this dieback of forked branches to one bud.  They even
exhibit good dense growth on the shadier north side of
buildings if they get some late afternoon sun or are
not shaded by dense trees.  They do continue blooming
if well fed and located where they stay warm and wind
protected in late fall/winter; as you noted here in
parts of Berkeley in a sheltered south or west
exposure they can remain in bloom all year long.  B.
'Charles Grumaldi' is one variety that is particularly
long blooming here in Berkeley, although almost any
cultivar will bloom year round in milder San Francisco
gardens.  I find the "Frosty Pink' cultivar and the
'double white' forms to be more episodic in bloom, and
not continual. The Brugmansia sanguinea cultivars in
particular are in spectacular full bloom at San
Francisco's Strybing Arboretum at present. 

Heavy and regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer
seems to encourage better growth and bloom.  All my
Brugmansias are still heavily in bud and bloom in my
Berkeley garden, just blocks from yours.  I suggest
you don't prune, but fetilize and give it more light
if possible.  I constantly tip pinch and thin out new
buds and shoots on the interior branches to keep my
plants looking their best, and it doesn't seem to
sacrifice too much bloom.

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