I just received my first brug today in a trade. (Hi NancyAnn!) It was cut back for shipping...and looks like it was stripped of it's leaves also. It has a really good size root system. :O) Any special planting tips? Any special potting medium?Mine will be container grown indoors.....well I'll put it out for the summer probably.....but overwintered indoors. And what about light and water requirements? I sure don't want to kill my first brug. ;O)
I'm also getting a few brug cuttings in another trade.....they root really easily in water, right?
Any growing tips would be greatly appreciated by this brugmansia newbie. ;o) Thanks. Jenny
Got my first brug....questions.....LOL
Below is how I care for my Brugs
1) Be prepared to plant immediately upon receipt.
2) Remove plastic wrap and paper towels, carefully.
3) Fill your pot about 1/2 full with well draining high quality potting soil. I use Miracle-Gro or Scotts. Your pot size should be the same size as the pot it was previous in, ask the person from whom it was received.
4) Place you plants roots in the pot then finish filling it with potting soil.
5) Water well.
6) Place your pot in the shade or high lighted areas (very important) for a few days until all parts looks good and perky, then move it to a place where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade.
7) Don't let it dry out too much, but don't keep it too wet.
They prefer soil that is only ever so slightly damp. Since I am located in the South, I do not have a problem with root rot, but in cooler environments I have been told this is a big problem. I read a posting on Dave' Garden by MaVieRose in which she said to insert a wooden chopstick in the pot and if you could pull it out without any soil clinging to it, then the plant needed to be watered. This is the same theory as using a toothpick when baking to see if the cake is done, so if you are not experienced at watering Brugs, why not give it a try!
8) I feed mine weekly with Miracle Gro or Scotts.
Thank you Judy. Can they be grown as houseplants throughout the winter months, or must they go dormant? Thanks. Jenny
You will get conflicting opinions in regard to this and most of the serious growers outside of FL & CA will probably advise you to let it go dorment during the winter.
However I am new to Brugs and last year I brought mine into the house into a super sunny location which is heated, it bloom a couple of months, then it will start to go downhill. Luckily it started to flourish again when I moving it outside during early spring days then back inside at night. I had my first blooms the early part of May.
Hopefully, more experienced growers will come along and give you their opinion.
Judy
Jenny, they can grow as houseplants, but I hope you have a big house with lots of window space, if you have several brugs. I think everyone has their favorite way of rooting. When the weather is warm, I root them in pots of soil in the shade and outside. They seem to do very well that way as long as the soil isn't soggy.
For winter, I put my newly rooted cuttings in the house and the older plants in the spare garage that doesn't freeze. However, the versicolor plants need more warmth than my garage can give them, so they have to go into my husband's heated shop. They get water once a month out there. I've had good years and bad years. The aurea types seem to die back when wintered in the cold garage, but come back in the spring. The only problem with that is that we don't have enough time for them to grow back to full size and bloom. I've got to keep them warmer this winter. Just experiment with your brugs when they are big enough to take cuttings from them. (Next year) Do what works best for you after that. I've been growing them for eight years now (was reminded of how long it had been, just last week) and every year I learn more and more.
For potting soil, I use ProMix. It isn't always available to everyone, so just use a well draining mix, and Judy already mentioned. I don't fertilize much during mid winter. I begin fertilizing in February with half strength, working up to full strength. When outside, I fertilize (when I can) twice a week with a good general purpose fertilizer. In the house, you can't give them too much light. Once they are well rooted and leafed out, watering will generally not last more than two or three days. You can always come back here and ask questions about any of the above. About the most important thing you can watch for in the house is spider mites and white flies. Our zone 5 houses dry out in the winter and the mites love to visit then. White flies are something I'm still trying to find a cure for. I can never get rid of all of them.
Well, that was a bit wordy. Sorry. I do have to say that I've killed my share of brugs when rooting and overwintering, so don't feel badly if it happens to you. I guess it is just part of the learning process. Good luck with your new babies. I hope you will keep us informed of their progress.
Shirley
Hi BRUGIE good to see you.
Doris
Hi Doris. Still crutching my way around the house, but it is becoming a little easier each day. LOL!