angels trumpet

hi every-one could any one tell me how to over winter Datura (Angels Trumpet)Please, am not to sure if they should be cut back i have a white,pink,yellow which i had 20 flowers on each.
Thanks

 

RHS A-Z for Brugmansia, (Datura: Angels Trumpet) lists it as frost hardy (-5C) to frost tender (+5C).

*Lightly trim for shape in mid to late spring.

I don't have personal experience with this plant but from that I would be inclined to use straw protection for the roots and crown with some fleece protection for the foliage if they are being grown outside. If they are in a greenhouse then minimal protection from frost should do the trick. For insurance you could also overwinter some cuttings indoors.

 

I overwintered dats last year and was so disappointed. I kept them in the conservatory, and during the cold snap in February two perished. The two that made it were very slow to take off this year even with heavy feeding, The spring sowings soon overtook them. The picture on my avitar is a triple white I grew this year.

Pink sounds more like a brug than a dat whilst the others could be either. I have friends who specialise in brugs, and those in the cooler parts of america grow them in pots which they move indoors for the winter.

Some strip all the leaves off in order to avoid red spider mite (mine suffer badly from it) although this is not necessary. Water just enough to keep them moist, then get them outside in the spring and feed feed feed.

[ 11. October 2005, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Rich ]

 

Hi Rich all my angels trumpet are in pots they will be going in a heated green house, the problem i have had with them is the leaves have been chewed,i have been told that it is caterpillars but cant find them,its not slugs it looks horrible with all the leaves chewed, but thanks for your help
Rosegarden

 

Hi frogesque do you know how to take cuttings from angel trumpet? because i dont
Rosegasrden

 

Cut below a Y. That way you'll get flowers quicker.

 

Hi Rich
what is the best time to take cutting?

 

rosegarden
My daturas overwinter in a heated (target minimum of 5C) outhouse/conservatory. They were brought in 2 weeks ago and I cut them back quite hard at the same time, about 50%, to keep some shape. They have got new shoots already, and usually produce a few flowers during the winter. I've not tried rooting the prunings.
Rich, that triple one in your avatar looks superb.

 

Hi Nik
i think i might bring them into my husband office and see how they go, have you had problems with chewed leaves? :(

 

rosegarden
No chewed leaves, but I did find a large green caterpiller eating the flowers this summer. I can't squidge something that big, so I "donated" it to next door. :D

 

Hi Nik
you did make me laugh,that is not very nice
:D

 

Hi Nik,

That triple came from a packet of double brugmansia seeds I bought this year.

I am having trouble getting the plants to set seed this year and only have two pods on about 25 plants.