Grafting different colors of Brugmansia.. for real?

I am very new to the world of Brugmansia, a true beginner, so I know this is a probably a silly question to discuss among you pros. But last month I was just commenting to my husband about wondering if anyone ever grafted different colors of Brugs to make a multi-colored tree. In fact, I even dreamed of it one night. Lo and behold the new Michigan Bulb catalog has one out now, new for 2009! I swear MB will join anything together, {the amazing potato tomato bush, the 3 colors of apple on one tree, LOL}

Anyway, I was wondering if this was an acceptable/desirable or undesirable practice among brug growers/breeders. I've never really heard of it before. Here is a link to the page:

http://michiganbulb.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_76307_A_3%2Din%2D1+Angel+Trumpet_E_

I just got a plant catalog today, which I tossed, but it had a multi-grafted Brug plant for sale. It was the first time I had ever heard of this.

I know some brug lovers are experimenting with grafting but that looks too good to be true ...the thing is ... they would have to have done their homework well ... since like many things brugs grow differently some lusty, some short, some tall ...one likes heat, one hates it ...one flowers here ...one flowers there (different times) some leaves are huge ...some are not ...do you see what I mean ...no doubt if they have done all that figuring out ...it would be wonderful. I personally would prefer either hedges or avenues of umbrella shapes but it is very interesting. The brug growers wanting to graft are really trying to find a way to make hard to grow brugs sturdier on a lusty stock, I think.Thanks for showing us the picture, very interesting.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2009 12:49 PM

mhmh...4-6 inches. must be micrografts.

GreenThumbs, if I'm reading correctly it says 4-6 ft.

you're correct, i must get my glasses checked.

OTH, this company tends to show mature size/height in that column section with their other plants, not shipping size.

it would almost be worth 13 dollars just to see what it actually looks like!

This message was edited Jan 8, 2009 12:53 AM

That company has garnered a high number of negatives.
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/186/
I noticed no cultivar names are mentioned. I wonder... if they managed to find 3 different colors with like sized leaves and flowers, and with flowers that bloomed at the same, at least for this photo, would they always bloom at the same time?

I agree, Betty - I thought the same thing.

If you had say 3 diff colors of the same type of brugs especially if they are suaveolens varieties they prob would all bloom together. The problem with grafts are that if it freezes down to the rootball you will have to start over.
Also if the branches get too heavy they may break around the graft line, and then you would have to start over. If it was grafted way down on a straight peice of the trunk it would probably be better.
I think I would rather graft them myself that way you would know what you are using and that they would be 'compatible' in growth and bloom time.


A few yrs ago I did some braiding experiments and then figured out I should of used the same types of brugs in different colors instead of mixing types.
I had used CG, Insignis Pink, and Super Nova (versicolor). It would have been better to have CG, a suav. white and I think the I. Pink was okay because it grew at the same rate as CG and bloomed at the same time. Frosty pink could have been used as well.
The Super Nova grew slower and didn't necessarily bloom when the others did.

Eric does brugmansia grafting and should be able to input on this.
You would have to prove the "real thing" of this picture to me though as I don't see it happening like this for mass distribution.

Thank you all for the thoughtful discussion. I hope Eric stops by also. I know that most anything that MB puts out like this is a gimmick, I was just curious as to whether anyone reputable had done it or not....

I have done a little bit of grafting of tree branches, in my gardening experiments, and have always made grafting 'pins', which were inserted into the center of the cuts, about half way into the joining pieces. I then wrapped with florist tape, then wrapped with a rubber band. I've never had a graft break, KOW! I haven't done any grafting in quite a few years, though. I hope someone with extensive experience answers you.

Unfortunately, as of right now, Eric is no longer a subscriber. You can hover your mouse over his name and see what it says.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/920146/

This message was edited Jan 8, 2009 11:05 PM

We went through the issue of this particular photograph early last year at BGI. The determination was that the photo has been heavily photoshopped.

What a loss ...Eric is such a good teacher.

it does look photoshopped . all the blooms are the same shape and size it looks like one plant . but i was thinking after i read the description that they might just send 3 rooted together . and not grafted .

It is not grafted, it is 3 colors in one pot. Someone who ordered it last year reported on it.

Linda

Sounds more like a religious phenomena than a variety. ;-)
So, if I plant peas, beans, carrots and corn in the same pot, I have a succotash plant?
Shrewd, very shrewd...
;-)

Well thank you for solving that Linda, LOL! I am glad to know. I am still interested if anyone has ever had success really grafting them though.

Just grow too different colors close to each other, much less complicated! lol

Sounds like a good idea, but you might have too much root competition.

Well, heck, guys- I don't usually have to worry about frost. If y'all have some recommendation as to a good variety combination, my curiousity it peaked. I know about grafting, but have never done it. Why not?

Miss Betty, I finally have a thank you picture. Miss Audrey Hepburn (in focus this time!) Her second flush since I got her.

Don't know what else to do with this picture. I am "playing" brugmansia grower with my first shot at this angle and lighting. This is just our regular old pink noid gal- still love her no matter how ugly she gets during the summer.

BTW, figured out what was causing my immature bud drop- #@$#$#%$^ thrips. I have so far avoided spraying my brugs, but I will for this next time I catch the symptom with each individual plant. *So far* it seems to be sporadic as to which plant it attacks.

Also, sorry to say that darling little variegated seedling I had going got eaten. I drenched and drenched for all the cut worms- it wasn't them. I think it was the squirrels. I had her isolated from other brugs but on the same table as palm seedlings......those heartless squirrels love palm seedlings. She was chomped from the top down. I totally didn't see that coming.

PLMK about the grafting.......I can probably still get a good deal on a local source for a pink noid (root stock.) This has been done in FL with citrus......not a big selling point for me, but interesting nonetheless......

It is a fascinating idea! I would love to see an experienced Brug grower or someone with grafting experience try it if they felt it worth the time. Might be fun..

p.s. I too feel like the photo was heavily photoshopped, I think quite a few of MB's photos are. It was just funny that I had dreamed of such a plant and there it was!

Hi Jazz,
Gorgeous blooms of Audrey Hepburn. Have you had any freezes? I'm sorry to hear about your little variegated seedling. Squirrels are cute, but can be destructive.

I'm determined to keep mine from freezing down to the ground, but the number of times I have to go out and cover it and the 2 Jaimes I have in the ground is going to wear me down. I can't leave anything on long term because the temps fluxuate so much — 27ºF for a low so far to a high of 80ºF during the day and everything in between. I lost about 1-1/2' on all branches one night when the wind separated a strip of the bubble wrap off the top of the plant, but the Y is still OK. If I can't find a more efficient way to protect the Brugs, next winter they will be allowed to die back.

Karen, if you want to see PhotoShopping, go to Brug auction on e-Bay. One guy is really blatant about it. I feel sorry for anyone, especially newbies who buy his Brugs thinking they are going to get dark pink, really orange or gold blooming plants.

Hi Betty, no freezes (yet) this year. I took those pictures within the last few days. We get a short freeze every 10 years or so and a sustained freeze maybe something like 20 to 25 years. You are so dedicated to go through all the work, but if I were you I probably would too. I'll give the guy a call on Monday (if I remember- crazy week next week for me) and see if he still has the 45 gallon plants and will let you guys know.

Meanwhile, if someone wants to Dmail me or post about their Brug grafting tips I would be very grateful! I suppose you cut a v in the stem you want to graft and splice it into the stock plant and then wrap it- maybe trying to select cuttings and stems that are about the same diameter?

F4F as you know, my friend, I'm new to the Bruggie beauties...but unless it's done differently there's much good info to be be found on grafting over in the Plumeria forum.

I know Eric Knight has successfully grafted brugmansias. Someone said he is no longer at this forum though? Does anyone know why?
'Audrey Hepburn' above is one of his. My 'Audrey Hepbern' plant of his is mature and large and very lovely here, too. As the one above is, also.

I don't believe it would be too difficult if you would want to concentrated on that. One of my old grower friends in FL told me he has to watch planting too close as
his plants would grow together naturally in his nursery. You would have to work really hard though to have a plant looking like the one in that photo.
Alice

Too bad it's bogus, Here is another one and it looks like 3 different types in one pot again:

http://www.directgardening.net/detail.asp?nav=&pid=5784


I would love to see a brugmansia, just once that has been grafted, and is flowering. I have searched all over Dave's garden and the internet and have not found a single one. Many people talk about success with it but don't actually post a picture.

Any volunteers?

Remind me & I'll try it in the spring when mine are growing again & do a step-by-step with pictures. You should figure that any photos of how to do it will be fine, the kind of plant doesn't really matter.

Linda

Found this post on grafting by eric knight.. knew I saw it and studied it..
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/912100/

Yeah, I've seen that post before, but I haven't actually seen flowers of more than one color grown on the same plant (as a result of a graft), at the same time before. I don't doubt it can be done, but I just want to see it in full bloom is all.