Re: Brugmannsia
- Subject: Re: Brugmannsia
- From: B* B*
- Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 09:52:55
>>We live in Pleasanton, CA, 40 miles east of San Francisco, USDA zone 9,
>>Sunset new zone 15, I think, and the lower leaves have been dropping off
>>the Brugmannsia all summer. It's in a big pot, with steady watering, and
>>filtered sunlight. The plant is 3 or 4 years old and shows no other
>>sign s of discomfort. Does anyone have any ideas why it's dropping?
>>Too little sun? It gets so hot here, usually, (this summer has been
>>quite mild). Thanks.
I assume you've checked for spidermites; they can be really bad on
Brugmannsias, and sometimes cause a lot of damage before they are seen.
That eliminated, I believe the heat is a big part of the problem;
Brugmannsias come (mostly) from the Andes and live at elevations where the
temperatures are not extremely hot or cold. In very hot weather they can
really look bad; it's probably exacerbated by being in a pot where the soil
will get warmer than in open ground.
Make sure your soil is light and open; well-drained. Heavy soaked soil is
similar (from the plants point of view) to overwatering, and this often
causes leaf drop from the bottom.
During the growing season I give lots of fertilizer; it's almost impossible
to overdo it. Iron helps too, some types (especially B. sanguinea) goes
chlorotic very easily without it. I've seen them doing quite well in pots
at the University of Washington; they have been growing them in large tubs
and they are always lush and green. They get practically an intravenous
drip of fertilizer
There is a very helpful site about Brugmannsia at:
http://home.att.net/~perennials/menu.html
Hope that helps!
bob
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