Question on Overwintering Brugs

Hello All.

I am storing four large Brugmansias in my basement over the winter. It's cool down there, with just a bit of natural sunlight from a small window. I give them each about a cup of water every week. They lost all their leaves last fall and are now potted long green sticks. They have been doing well so far, like they are frozen in time.

My question: Lately I've noticed that the stems at the top of a couple of them are shriveling and drying out. One even had a "Y" that shriveled and dried up. Otherwise, the the remaining 90% of the stem seems fine. Is this something that I should be concerned about, or is it to be expected that the stems will die back some? If the former, should I water them more? Any advice anyone could offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Erick

Be very careful with watering them. They are dormant and do not need any water, just enough so roots aren't completely dry. When they start getting leaves, then you will know they are alive and coming out of dormancy. Good luck.

Thank you very much Hibiscus.

Erick

You're welcome.

Another related question.... when the leaves fall off (I'm overwintering a couple of potted ones in a protected spot outside - bought them at the end of the summer), should I cut back the stems? Like pruning a rose or something similar?? Yes, I'm new. :o)

Thanks much,

Sanna

Depends on what you want to end up with. I wait till spring so the chance of fungus is much less and I know they will recover fast. If you have a bush shape, I would only prune to improve the shape and cut off any straggly growth.

I wouldn't prune below the first Y or you will have to wait forever for it to regrow so you get blooms.

But if you want a standard and have the bones (meaning a very tall straight trunk main one or sucker coming up) for that you can do that in early spring. I try to leave as many of the Ys on as I can but I always tip prune all my ends so I can get each node to push out a branch so I have a thick canopy to make flowers.

I also prune all of my standard back for shape but just their canopy for I root prune them all in spring so they can go back into their same pots so I d not have to pot them up to bigger pots.

Thanks, Kell.... appreciate the info. I can hardly wait!!

Sanna