I have two Brugs that are developing deformed leaves and Kong has shed a couple smaller leaves, but I think they were the ones they arrived with. I'm adding a couple pictures because I want to determine if it's human error, lacking something, or possibly having bug/virus/fungus issues.
Also can someone please explain how to properly water Brugs? Should I have a layer of pebbles, sand or rocks on the top soil?
Picture below is Kong
This one is Golden Dreams
When the leaves fet hard and distorted thats mites this time of year don't sweat it keep them on the dry side they like there soil well draining no wet feet! There roots rot they look happy good luck with them
The new growth looks healthy. The damaged leaves appear to be the very first ones. They really don't appear to be distorted in a way that would be caused by disease or pests. The damage could have been mechanical damage or perhaps the new growth didn't receive enough moisture as it was sprouting because the cutting was still trying to form roots.
Don't put anything on the surface of the soil. The biggest Brugmansia pest during winter months is spidermites. They like warm dry conditions. If the leaves start to look slightly mottled green and yellow, look at the underside of the leaves for very small red dots and tiny spider webs. Those would be spidermites. You can control them by using a bit of real soap to wash the mites off. Rinse the leaves well.
Root rot is the greatest Brug killer during winter. Keep the soil on the barely moist side. Use a finger to probe about 2" below the soil. If it feels dry, add small amounts of water until the rootball feels only damp. Don't leave any water in the drip trays.
This is comforting to read. Sounds like I'm doing alright so far. I decided to neglect the poor thing since that seems to help with my plants indoors. It's a good thing these are in my Dad's room because someone has helped me water in the living room and I lost the remainder of my unrooted cuttings (Christmas cacti)
