How to Care for a Brugmansia Flava
Brugmansia is a small, exotic tree sometimes called Angel's Trumpet. It produces beautifully distinctive, trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors. Brugmansia is sometimes mistaken as Datura, but while the Datura's trumpet-shaped flowers point upward, the Brugmansia's blooms droop and point downward. The Brugmansia x flava is a hybrid of Brugmansia sanguinea and Brugmansia arborea, and it has characteristics of both of its parent plants. A distinction of Brugmansia x flava is the tuberous formations in the root area. These tuberous formations serve as part of the root system and will absorb water and nutrients for the plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Water the Brugmansia x flava frequently and deeply during the growing season, but make sure the soil is well-draining. Minimal watering is required during the winter dormant period, with the soil being kept barely moist during this time.
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Fertilize the tree during the growing season to produce more blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer, and feed the tree as often as twice a week. Do not fertilize during the winter dormant period.
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Prune the tree regularly to encourage healthy plant growth. Remove dead and broken branches, and cut back any branches that rub against each other.
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Cut the tips of older branches back to a node to promote new growth. Brumansia x flava develops its flowers on new plant growth, and frequent cutting of branch tips will result in abundant flower production.
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Move the Brugmansia x flava indoors if freezing conditions are expected. Cut the tree to the ground, dig it up, and over-winter it in a cool, dark area until it can be replanted in the spring.
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Remove the sprouts that develop on the ground tubers. These can be re-planted in the ground or a container to start a new tree.
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Tips & Warnings
The Brugmansia x flava will tell you when it's thirsty---its leaves will droop when it needs water. This tree needs incredible amounts of water, and may need to be watered several times a day in hot climates.
Brugmansia x flava cannot be grown from seed. However, it is easily propagated by stem cuttings rooted in water or damp sand.
Pruning of Brugmansia x flava should be done only in the spring.
If left outdoors during hard freezes, the Brugmansia x flava will die back to ground level. Although it will frequently re-sprout during the spring, it cannot handle many freeze cycles and will only survive a few years if it is subjected to annual freezing conditions.
All parts of Brugmansia x flava are toxic and care should be exercised when handling or pruning the plant.
