Ok so I bought a trumpet at the beginning of Spring, and it quickly became one of my favorites (right up their with my voodoo lily and vanilla orchid). It has bloomed all summer and the blooms are big, healthy, and numerous. The leaves, however, are small. So I end up with a plant that is all branch and lots of blooms with small leaves. I do use a generic 'all purpose' Miracle Grow about every 6 weeks on it and it is in a container, would those effect it like this?
Also, what is the freeze tolerance on these? I was planning on moving it inside but would prefer to heat it where it is if possible?
Thanks in advance for any advice! I love this plant.
-Christina
Small leaves?
Hello Christina,
I thnk that in zone 8 you should cut it back in the fall and heavily mulch it. It will regenerate in the spring. Maybe next year you will have larger leaves who knows.........
James
Christina,
I'm slightly southeast from you. In our area potted plants need to be brought indoors, into a garage or a greenhouse. If it were in the ground, then James' advice would be the right thing to do. Some Brugs are hardier than others. If you know the Brug's name, look it up in the PlantFiles and see in which zones it grows. Brugmansias are heavy, heavy feeders — feed at least once a week while they are actively growing.
When you say 'cut it back' ... how much? If I winter it over in a garage does it still need to be cut back? It has a great tree shape so Id hate to have to do that but will if I have to.
Thanks again everyone!
C-Mydas,
At this time of the year brugs will sometimes only have the small leaves. I guess because they are starting to try to go dormant is the reason they don't put out the large leaves.
If you are able to overwinter it in a garage and it does experience freezing temperatures in the garage, you don't have to cut it back.