Interested in Brugs

I have been lurking around this forum for about a month now - checking out the links and looking at all the pictures. We live in Zone 4b and notice that there are several growers in similar climates that are growing brugs. Any suggestions for a book to get me started - something with the basics and reference on indoor winter storage. Also, what variety is good for a beginner?

Oh, and I have also sown seed for Datura Godvoni I received in trade and can find no reference on the web to this variety and would appreciate any help on that one.

Thanks and looking forward to trying these out!

RiseAnn...I have never seen a cultivar with that name...may have been something an individual named after growing....I have researched daturas in the past and have many articles on nomenclature from the 1800's on..but no such datura..that we can find.

Thanks for checking - I had no luck myself, but do not have the extensive libraries/backgrounds some of you do. The closest thing I came up with was "govoni" but ended up on an Italian site. Guess I'll find out (or at least have a clue) when she blooms :)

I'm suprised no one has suggested a great Brug variety for me to run out and get to start my obsession with tho....

RiseAnn... the best info you can get on brugmansia's is right here you can start with a cutting and keep it in a pot and just more it inside for the winter I don't do that but sure one of the people in your zone can tell you better If you need a cutting I have one just about ready I can send it to you for poastage if you want its a dr Seuss and it will be yellow just e-mail me if your insterested
Pete

When Tonny gets back, he should be able to tell you what it is. He is our resident datura expert.
I thought I'd replied to this post, but it's not here, so here goes again!!
I think you will find the most information available here on this forum by going back and reading the past threads. There is a great book written by our own Monika, but unfortunately it's only in German right now.
I think some of the easiest varieties to start with would be Frosty Pink, Isabella, Charles Grimaldi/Dr. Seuss and any of the suaveolens. Sunray and Jamaica Yellow bloom good for me too.
I will have rooted cuttings available in a few weeks. They are still too tiny to ship right now.

Thanks for the info Pete and Cala :) I have been reading and trying to learn as much as I can. The flowers are so stunning - I am just a bit excited to try them. Because of the cold here it's not safe to ship live plant material until the first of May. I was a bit bummed to find "ZERO" brugs at any of the three nurseries here. At least I got a nice breath of spring tho. There is a great deal of info in this forum and Eclipse sent me a good link to look at. I was hoping to find a good book with lots of pictures to fondle. I am probably just suffering serious spring fever, lol!

Thanks a bunch and I'll be reading along with you all.

Here it is - the English version. Named 'Brugmansia and Datura' by Ulrike and Hans Georg Preissel. The ISBN for the hardcover version is 1-55209-598-3. Think it's $19.95 but some people are finding it cheaper. Lovely pictures and lots of helpful information. But our very own Monika Gottschalk has a gorgeous book out - ISBN #3-405-15760-9. I think we should all pounce on her publisher to get it published in English.
Monika - who should we write to? Think I'll start a new thread~

My book arrived! Now I am reading and happily fondling the pictures. I took the book to work and everyone's eyes just bugged out! I hope Monika's get's published in english :)

I am looking at ordering from Kartuz and going to start with three varieties. I am hoping to achieve contrast and thinking that if I go with the Sunray, Fantasma and Sanguinea I would end up with three very different looking/acting types? Suggestions? or just GO FOR IT!

RiseAnn, just email me and I'll get you set up with some Sunray cuttings....after all its my first born hybrid!!LOL

Speaking of Kartuz, arent they the best....I too am ordering three from them, and cant wait to mak a trip down south to visit them.

Pebble...Kartuz greenhouses are in Vista.The #1 plant growing area in S. Calif.Almost everywhere you look around vista its all nurseries.They sell every kind of plants you can imagine up there.Lots of private mom and pop growers that have signs along the streets advertising what they specialize in.I go up there every time i'm in San Diego.Some friends run an Epiphyllum nursery there too.

I just sent a Kartuz order in. I ordered brugs too. LOL - hope we order the same ones! I got the yellow 'Inca Queen' and the vulcanica.

Thanks Eclipse - this appears to be quite a special group here! I am amazed that you make these beauties...it must be fun to see your off-spring all over the country! I'll get email an off to you :)

Pebble - I actually found the Kartuz link reading about your order on one of the threads here. I think the pricing and shipping sound reasonable and they have some endorsements here. I would love to go there someday and wander through the greenhouses! May need a semi tho...

Poppysue - I am going to try the Inca Queen - the red is so pretty! Hope it can adjust here - we do have the cool nights - but sometimes in the summer it gets downright HOT. That's why I was thinking the vulcanica may be resentful - It certainly get's over 90 - not usually for extended periods tho...

Hi RiseAnn . . . So glad that you have joined our group and I want to welcome you. Mostly I have small brugs, but in the fall, I will be able to share some cuttings with you. Please remind me as I have a hard time keeping track of today!! LOL

Eclipse, when is your next trip to Kartuz scheduled for?
I am really really trying to decide when to make the trip, should I order now and then make the trip just to pop in and see them, or make the trip and buy all that I can....
I talked to one of the ladies that packs plants for about an hour couple of weeks ago, she was a hoot. Invited me to come visit her gardens, apparently she has some spectacular brugs herself.