i have a 3' foot tall young brug. at about 6" up the trunk, the stem of the plant splits into 2 stems going straight up- no side growth making it look like a upside down wishbone. should i pinch the tops to try to promote side growth or just leave this healthy young plant alone?
thanks for any suggestions.
young brug growth shape.
These branches that come straight off the main trunk make very nice standards (tree form) if you let them continue to grow until they are as long (tall) as you'd like another plant, then cut it off & root it.
The tops are the blooming parts so I never pinch them out, I suppose if you are wanting a bushier plant & really are not concerned about seeing blooms anytime soon I guess you could pinch the tops. I'm always too excited to get the blooms to slow the plant down intentionally.
I'm sure one of the "pros" will come by & give you expert advice. I've only been growing these for 2 years.
Bj
Considering how bushy and heavy brugs can get, I'd pinch it so the center of gravity on the center stem will be lower. Or you could cut of the two secondaries and root them. Most likely the center stem will put out some new growth.
The family of Solanace of which brugs are a member doesn't seem to mind having trunks/stems covered so another alternative would be repotting/planting with soil up to where the two split off, maybe a little bit beyond. I'm not 100% sure that Brugmansia will tolerate this treatment .. perhaps one of our Brug Adepts like Kell can confirm yay or nay on this.
I think the main concern is the primary stem having to support the plant as it matures.
X
Thanks for both of your replies, much appreciated.