I live in Central Texas and have a Brugmansia that has been in the ground for the third year now. It has never gotten more than 2-3 feet tall at most, its leaves always ragged looking and a very pale green. The few occasions when it has bloomed, the blooms look equally pitiful. I try to water it frequently but maybe it is the fact that it sits out in the sun all day that is part of the problem. Should I dig it up and move it some where else? Any suggestions would be appreciated. If I move it, what time of year should I do so?
Brugmansia
i dont know much about them, but mine are doing way better since i moved them into a shady part of the yard. i guess it just gets too hot here.
kenaipd,
Unless your area is as humid as the Texas coast, Brugs in Texas do best with early morning sun and filtered or bright shade the rest of the day. I live southeast of Austin and although closer to the coast than you, the air is still too dry for my Brugs to grow well in full sun.
If you plan to put it back in the ground, I would move it now so it has a chance to establish a good root system before winter. Since it will be a shock to be moved during summer, try to provide some overhead shade for a week or two while it gets established. They are also heavy drinkers and need a good deal of water. They require moist well draining humus rich soil. Don't let the soil go dry between watering.Those large leaves transpire a lot of water. The roots will rot if the soil doesn't drain well and oxygen can't get to the roots.
As to where to move it. The east or northeast side of the house especially if you have wide eaves would be ideal or any place where it would get shade during the hot mid to late afternoon sun.
Pale green usually indicates lack of nitrogen. May I ask a few questions about your soil? There are many locations in Texas where the top soil is very shallow especially the western half of the state where in some cases the top soil is only a few inches deep. Is your Brug planted in deep soil? Brugs that are planted in deep soils are able to develop a more massive root system allowing the Brug to grow a bigger top. Have you tested the soil pH? Most Texas soils are slightly to heavily alkaline. Plants are best able to take up major and minor nutrients at pH levels between 6.5 and 7.2. If the pH levels are less or greater than that, plants develop nutrient deficiencies even if the nutrients are in the soil. You can buy a decent pH meter a many garden centers. If you do have a pH problem, you can slowly adjust the soil's pH so the Brug has access to the nutrients it needs:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=what+to+use+to+adjust+soil+pH&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=
If the soil pH is within the limits I stated, then you may be starving your Brug. How often do you fertilize your Brug? Brugs are heavy feeders and need to be fertilized at least once a week. If it is growing well and rapidly, it can handle being fed twice a week with a complete liquid fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow. If the Brug is growing in an area protected from harsh winds, the shredded leaves may be due to weak cell walls because the plant lacks the nutrients it needs to form the leaves correctly.
Do not feed your Brug with a bloom booster which contains large amounts of phosphates. Brugs can't tolerate high phosphate amounts (second nutrient number). The larger, older leaves will turn yellow and drop off. Nitrogen should make up the larger % of the fertilizer. If the plant is a nice healthy green and is growing well, it will also bloom well.
One thing we have to consider here in Texas is what a dry hot summer can do to plants. It can shove them into summer dormancy. I have had that happen to my Brugs especially immature plants or newish rooted cuttings, but large mature ones will do it too if it is too dry and hot. When that happens, cut back on the fertilizer, keep them moist, keep them free of pests and wait for cooler weather when they'll take off again. Then go back to the regular fertilizer and watering schedule.
With the exceptional drought we are in, this year has been brutal on Brugs. Grasshoppers and caterpillars are having a feast. I need to use a systemic pesticide again.
Thanks for all the info. I think my poor brug has had a very poor caretaker. It obviously needs to be moved and fed more. I am going to check the soil but I know that our soil tends to be very alkaline here. We moved to Central Texas over 3 years ago and it has been one learning experience after another!!!