Cutback of a alley tree

Pictured is Carmencita. Note the size of the trunk and above the Y the strong branches of the flowering region.

Second picture shows Carmencita digged out and ready to move into the GH.
Sorry, it should be pruning of an alley tree.

I think this is where a lot of us went wrong last year. Even the ones that were cut above the Y were cut too low. It looks like you've left Y's above Y's. You leave 6 nodes? How come 6?

At least six on each side to get more sprouts and flowers next year.

Thanks Monika. I know I cut back some of mine way too much above the Y last year. Won't make that mistake this year.

Have you stripped the leaves off this one?

I took the largest leaves off. Carmencita will soon start again with new young sprouts, because its warmer in the GH as outside but the shorter daylight will slow it down.

Will you let it grow in the GH and flower again?

One last question -(maybe)- do you feed your brugs in the GH during the winter? The actively growing ones -

I'm glad you posted and gave us the information Monika. I have some to prune back and can do it properly now. I can see why its much easier to grow them in pots. I just have to lift mine to bring them in without digging up roots and then planting in a pot. We are so lucky to have you and Kyle here to guide us along. Thanks.

I feed them once every two weeks to provide nourishment to keep up the life functions.

i guess, i jump right into the wagon when i started getting brug cuttings. am learning a lot from U Monika :)! thanks for ur patience in showing us the right way to grow, take care of brugmansia, and most importantly identify them properly! Thank You Monika :)!

just wish the English version of ur book will be published soon! pls. let us know.

I cut mine back too much last year. Now I see how to do it.

I cut mine back to far too.............right off at the knees. :-) Had about four that I didn't cut back as much and they have done fairly well, but even those were cut back too far. Now I know what to do. Thanks M. We do get so much good from your experience.

Monika, thanks from me too. i'm going to store some this winter like you do.

Thanks Monika. I haven't trimmed the tops of mine yet and now I can do it right.

Once again, you have given us such valuable information and as they say, . . A picture is worth a thousand words. I think that we all understand what to do now. Thanks Monika.

The REALLY good thing here? Monika has told us this at the right time of year. Instead of after we've already made a mess of things.
Thanks Monika ~~

By God, I think I have finally got it!!!
THANKS MONIKA!

I don't think 2 of mine that I got from cuttings from tiG will bloom this year. In fact, one of them hasn't even Y'd. How should I treat them, Monika?

Avoid any pruning. As long as the plants hasnt reached the generative zone, pruning retains the flower next year.

I'm not sure I know what "generative zone" means.

wood, the generative zone is the growth above the Y.
The Y is the beginning of the generative zone.

Monika - How do you keep the plants to one stem? I understand cutting off the branches below the Y - but what about suckers that grow directly from the root ball. Do you just keep cutting them off? I've cut some of mine but then I have big stubs around the base that keep sprouting.

Trees do that very seldom. I cut them off, if there will be any.

I wonder why? Seems like most of mine do this. Is it because they're contained in the pots? Maybe beacuse the tree has matured and doesn't need to put out the excess growth?

Is it ok Not to prune them at all?

You dont need to prune them, but next spring, the tips should be pruned to enforce the nods below to grow new sprouts.

I was wondering how you get them to rebloom on old growth!We'd be lost without you Monika!

Do you think they would survive in a cellar with no light?

They would survive ina cellar without light. Older plants with no problems, young, still green plants not so dark.

They rebloom every year with more blossoms.

Thanks Monika,this is great advice.I was wondering what to do with the non-bloomers this year

Oh Thanks Monika, Now I know where I will put them.

sorry monika, you know me, I have to ask a question too:) Am I seeing that you've left the small sprouts growing above the Y? and you let these grow all winter?

I always leave them on the plant. They grow now much slower now and quit completely in a few weeks because of the lack of enough daylight.

Here we are at that time of year again! Bringing this back up for Sandra...

Thank you Monika and poppysue!!

Thanks - counting nodes. :)

Thanks for the info Monica. I plan on digging of many this year and was wondering about how much to cut back if I had to. Is it ok to cut them even when they are still growing. Mine out grew my small green house last year. It gets warm enough in the day in there that they keep growing even though it gets down to 40 in there sometimes on very colds days at night.

I plan on keeping all the leaves off of mine, to help with discouraging mites, aphids, etc. I know there will be too much light up in the g'house, but it is the only place I can put them. They are talking a killing frost tonight and tomorrow night, so I guess I'd better go start pruning and digging. only 4 to dig, so won't be too bad. :>)

Thanks for the timely information.