Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Brugmansia Strybing 'Vulsa', 1 by atisch

atisch wrote:
Pictured is the first bloom of a Brugmansia Strybing 'Vusla' variety that I was extremely fortunate to obtain from Michael Graupe, of Pacifica, CA. Today, Dec. 21, 2010, is the first day that the flower has opened as a gorgeous salmon orange with yellow undertones. 'Vulsa' is a hybrid of Brug. sanguinea and Brug, vulcanicola. According to Tom Hulse, the current ICRA Registrar for Brugmansias, 'Vulsa' refers to any hybrid of these two cool-growing Brug. species. Apparently there are many actual crossings involving different varieties of either species and also includes 'Vulsa' sibling crosses , so that the exact parentage and even the amount of each species present in any 'Vulsa' is currently in a state of confusion.

In any event, this Vulsa appears to be fairly representative of the original Vulsa(s) bred and named as San Francisco's Strybing arboretum. They tend to open in a salmon-orange color and become pinker with age. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that this is one of the original Strybing Vulsas.

Tom Hulse originally contacted me following my posting of what I referred to as an outstanding fully red Brug. sanguinea I found in Mendocino, CA.

[see: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1131139/ ]

He pointed out that this variety, sometimes referred to as Brug. sanguinea 'Inca Queen', is also suspected as being a 'Vulsa' perhaps with a high percentage of sanguinea in it's background. Regardless, there is no question in my mind that virtually all B. sanguineas, vulcanicolas and their Vulsa hybrids are lovely and highly desirable plants in the cool climates that they tend to thrive in.

I will follow up with other photos of this bloom as it changes over the next few days.

Allan