So many of my new brugs are really tall (over 6') and I am pruning back to one suckered stem, or straight stem and pruning for trees. However, I would love to put some shorter, "like to be bushy" brugmansias at their base to soften the lines and fill in the space. Can anyone please tell me some good candidates for shorter plants? Is there such a thing?
small? tall?
Carol, I have found that my brugs. that I overwinter in pots, don't seem to get as tall the following year. I have those planted more to the front of the flowerbeds.
Thought: Would a piece cut from above the Y be shorter than one below the Y? Seems to be it would...but....I can't be too sure...
Pink Favorite has small leaves, mine is only about 4 1/2 feet tall and about 6 feet wide, and has bloomed every day since about June 24 and smells like heaven...delicate in appearance, small limbs, but blooms her heart out...
My GL cutting Y'd got wide and had the first flush close to the ground. Since it was short I planted it along the front of the bed under this skyrocket seedling and the big canopy of the PC. Well, GL had a couple of more blooms then quit. But each branch of the Y's has turned up it's been trying a serious vegetative stage. I believe it's over 3' now.
Very little experience here but I'm thinking even when they're a cutting from above the Y, eventually they're going to take off and try to get some height
my GL is very short also and had lovely blooms that laid on the ground.
I read somewhere that cuttings above the Y make shorter plants.
Doris
What a big help....thanks so much. Now I have a better idea of what I am doing (like a small light at the end of a long black tunnel!!).
Alohas
That's interesting Doris - my first PB and Rosamond, one year olds, are about 10, or so feet tall and some rootings taken above the Y last Dec are only about 4 or 5 feet tall. Sounds like your info is probably right...at least for this year...
From my experience, most definately a piece cut from above the Y will be shorter than one below the Y. I have several I have grown this way. They just spread wider and maybe the tallest shoot off the top if now 3-4 ft. I like the look, it's really pretty. I have to say that's what I used in my beds in the middle and something shorter in front
Hugs
Julie
Both of my Charles Grimaldi are much wider than they are tall.
Carol, I'm assuming you are going to have some good sized cuttings. You should take several let's say about 6" cuttings and start them laterally. You will get multiple growth on the cuttings and just plant it that way in the ground (lateral).
From my experience doing it this way one shoot usually takes off quicker than the others. If they don't and all grow at the same rate top off all but one and you should get that bush type effect I think your wanting. Along with the height.
OR then maybe I am way off from what you are trying to get one to do. LOL
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/134057.html
Edit
In this thread Rootdoctor has a great picture of a brug log type cutting. Scroll down about 1/2 way you will come across a picture. Some times visuals help....
This message was edited Jul 24, 2005 4:32 AM
This message was edited Jul 24, 2005 4:33 AM
One of the crosses I'm growing out for Brugaddict had multiple stalks. I cut one out and laid a 4-5" section on top of the soil in two diff pots. Watered then pressed them down till just the backs are showing like good Iris rhizomes or an alligator. Just shoved them against the wall by the garage door behind some plants where they're mostly shaded.
They've both got very dark green nodes up already. I'd post a pic but the digital is at a DD ballgame.
Thanks, Kin...good idea. Yes, you describe exactly what I want. After pruning, I find I have VERY tall trunks before the Y and I want to soften that look. It seems that so much of our "line of sight" are tree trunks (The Telephone Pole Look) with the Ohia, palms etc. and bushy breaks it up. One is 9' tall and just starting to Y with a 3" trunk.
Thanks so much...yes, I am sharing lots of cuttings with friends ...and stuck alot of them right back in the ground. I think I may try the log system too.
Carol