How do you overwinter a Angel Trumpet, Brugsmania in zone 7?

Question

While visiting relatives at Easter in deep south Louisiana, I was given a beautiful Angel Trumpet plant that was growing profusely around their home. It has done very well all summer, here in Arkansas, multiplying and blooming okay...til now, Mid October and I have tons of georgous blooms! I don't want to lose this plant(tree?) I have heard that I can leave in the ground over winter, but I risk disease and root rot. True? Could I cut the plant back almost to the ground and mulch heavily? or should I dig the plant up? It is very large. Probably 5 feet tall with many spouts underneath. Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Hi,

I grow brugmansia and you can see my website:

http://www.geocities.com/sunniescountrybloomers

You can cut the brug back to about 6" from the ground. Cut the trunks and hardwood cuttings into approximately 8-10" pieces. Strip the leaves off the cuttings. Dip each end in rootone; mark the top with a marker - 'T'. Let the ends heal for a day or two and put several into a pot with good a good mix. (I use Miracle Gro). Set the pots in a cool place, such as a basement. Keep barely moist until spring, at which time you can set outdoors (after the last frost). If you want to keep your brugs in pots, make sure they are rather large. These plants seem to grow much faster and almost know they have growing room. After they get established roots, keep them well watered. Outdoors, they will probably need to be watered every day. Remember, they also are heavy feeders. The first few times, feed them with a good 20-20-20 food. Afterwards, when they reach several feet tall (within 2-3 months), start feeding them with a super bloomer. You can use 15-30-15 or make sure the middle number is higher than the other two. This encourages big, beautiful blooms. If you plant them in the ground, the same water, feeding program applies. Do not put them in the direct sun as this discourages their blooming habits. Morning sun is ok.

You can leave the Mother plant in the ground or you can put it in a big pot inside for overwintering. If you choose to leave it outside, cover the top and surrounding area with at least 6" of pine straw. This will prevent it from freezing and in the spring, remove the straw, water well everyday until you see new growth. Then start your feeding program.

If you have further questions, please feel free to email me. The address is on my webpage.

Good Luck!

P.S. Most of my brugs are a minimum of 10' tall by the 4th month. Your plant will probably reach that height next summer, if you will make sure it gets enough plant food twice a week. You can't over feed a brug and also unless it stands in a ditch of water, it will not get root rot. Just don't overwater your cuttings this winter. Some people set them in a basement, let them go completely dormant with no water.

Answer 2

Angel Trumpet Plant Care

Answer 3

It’s probably best to grow them in containers below zone 8. You could try what you suggest, cut way back and mulch. The pruning won’t hurt it, I’m just not sure how much cold they can take in the ground and this is shaping up to be a cold winter.

They also respond well to being replanted so digging up should be fine, just give it a little babying for a while if you put it into a container. Depending on your planting zone that might be the best solution long term. They grow well in containers.

I would also take some stem cuttings to root. They root easily enough in potting soil.

Answer 4

Take a bunch of cuttings, mulch the mama plant and don't worry about it. They are incredibly easy to root. I've rooted them before in cheap dirt (organic humus) and no root tone. Just keep the soil moist and they will root. Also put the cuttings in morning sun, afternoon shade. And when I put cuttings to root I do so in 3 gallon pots, put at least 6-7 per pot.