Brugmansia, "trumpets of angels", the flower of the archangel is a common shrub whose flowers have a strong aroma. Centuries earlier, flowers were used to make tinctures or bouquets that caused intoxication. Thanks to the work of breeders, in our time, varieties that do not harm the body, and are decoration of any household plot, have been bred.
Appearance story
In ancient times, this plant attracted shamans and magicians to prepare tinctures and potions, which, in their opinion, had magical properties. Initially, Brugmansia belonged to the genus Datura, these potions and tinctures had an effect on the human body. It is not known for certain which kind of brugmansia was discovered first.
Brugmansia - "trumpets of an angel"
The birthplace of the bush is considered South America. For the first time, Brugmansia flower was mentioned by Branedb Kobo in the 50s of the XVII century. The description of tree-like Brugmansia was mentioned by Louis Felluld in 1714. It got its current name at the beginning of the 18th century in honor of history teacher Sebald Brugmans.
What does Brugmansia look like
Brugmansia is considered a miniature tree. Some species grow in bushes. This ornamental plant belongs to the Solanaceae family. Initially, due to the content of psychoactive substances in its chemical composition, it belonged to the genus Datura, or Datura.
The height of the ornamental bush is about 2 m, while in the wild, the brugmansia can be several times higher. The plant develops quickly enough, but the process of numbing shoots is very slow. In order to have a beautiful bush or tree at home or on the site, you need to regularly cut the side shoots. The root system of the flower is powerful. The roots go very deep into the ground. The leaves of Brugmansia are smooth at the edges, in the middle there is a light fluff. The plant stands out during flowering. The flowers are tubular, similar to drooping bells, have an impressive size. Their diameter is 15 cm, the length ranges from 20 to 25 cm.
Note! Tree-like Brugmansia can bloom only after its visible part is fully formed. During the season, the plant blooms more than once, the flowers have a diverse color. The aroma is best felt in the evening.
Common varieties
The most common varieties of Brugmansia are:
- Brugmansia suaveolens, or fragrant brugmansia, in certain climatic conditions can bloom throughout the year. This type of plant has Brazilian roots. Brugmansia pink in the wild reaches 5 m in height. Flowers have a white or milky green hue.
- Brugmansia aurea, or golden, is named so because of its characteristic color.
- Brugmansia candida, or snow-white, got its name thanks to white flowers. This species was used by breeders to breed most decorative varieties of Brugmansia. In wild conditions, the height of this species reaches 3 m, the decorative form of the bush grows no higher than 2.3 m.
- Brugmansia sanguinea, or bloody, is distinguished by flowers of a saturated orange or even red color. This species is common in Russia, as it has good winter hardiness.
- Brugmansia versicolor - this variety is called colorful because the flowers change color according to the age of the shrub. A young bush blooms with flowers of a milky hue. The older Brugmansia becomes, the more the colors of the flowers change. The bush, whose age is more than 7-10 years, has flowers of bright tangerine color.
- Yellow Brugmansia is one of the most common species in Russia. Flowers have a yellow tint.
Note! The leaves of this variety can reach 50 cm in length.
Brugmansia bloody
There is also a variety of Brugmansia Aromagia pink. It is distinguished by pink flowers that exude aroma not only in the evening, like most varieties, but throughout the day. It is not recommended to keep it at home.
Home Care
Brugmansia planting and care for which require certain knowledge and skills is a rather capricious plant. If you do not adhere to some rules, most varieties of plants can not stand the climatic conditions of Russia. It is grown in conservatories, greenhouses, houses and apartments.
Brugmansia at home (in portable capacity)
In open ground in northern latitudes, shrubs are extremely rare.
Temperature
All plant varieties are very fond of warmth. At a temperature of -5 ° C, the flower is first attacked by diseases and pests, then immunity decreases, then it completely dies. The most optimal temperature indicator for the development of Brugmansia tree is considered 23 ° C.
Important! The bush begins to bloom late - at the end of summer, when the night temperature drops to 13-15 ° С. Therefore, it can be safely left on the balcony in early spring, after the end of frost, and until mid-autumn.
Watering
This is a hygrophilous plant. Care for Brugmansia implies frequent watering. In winter, the amount of watering can be reduced to 2-3 per week. The amount of watering in winter depends on air humidity. A dangerous factor is the drying out of the soil.
Location
Brugmansia home care does not tolerate drafts, for this reason it is located in a well-lit, warm place, with the presence of supports for the branches. The plant goes into a state of sleep when there is little light.
The soil
The soil prefers oily, loamy soil.
Note! Acidity of the soil can be any. The most important thing is that the soil is nutritious. Since the plant develops quite quickly, nutrients can be applied to the soil as top dressing. Mineral fertilizers will be useful, as well as fertilizing with potassium and phosphorus.
Winter and spring
For the winter period of time, the cultivation and care of a plant of Brugmansia is transferred to room conditions. The flower pot is set in a cool place. The greater the illumination of a room, the less likely it is that Brugmansia is at rest. Some gardeners grow the bush in the winter, using phytolamps or additional artificial lighting. For the transition of Brugmansia to the growth phase, it is necessary to provide it with a temperature of at least 15 ° C and a daylight hours of 14-15 hours.
If the plant grows at room conditions, it is recommended to transplant it every spring into a container 2 cm larger than the previous one in diameter and height. Since increased sap flow begins in the spring, universal nutrient nutrition is necessary to be applied to the soil once every 14 days. In the spring, the amount of watering and spraying increases. Humidity should be around 60%.
Pruning rules
Trimming Brugmansia is necessary regularly. Young shoots growing between the trunk and leaves must be cut. This will help to simultaneously form a bush or tree and provoke it to bloom. As a rule, pruning is carried out in mid-autumn, before the Brugmansia is brought into the wintering room.
Trimming Brugmansia
Breeding methods
Brugmansia multiplies in 3 ways:
- Seeds;
- Cuttings;
- Layering.
Seeds
Brugmansia from seeds at home begins to grow in early January. Brugmansia can be planted until mid-March. Seeds are laid shallow in the ground, approximately 0.5-1 cm. After they are sprinkled with earth, it is recommended to moisten the latter well and make a kind of greenhouse, covering the area with planting with a film.
Note! Shoots can appear both 2 weeks after planting, and 2.5 months later.
Cuttings
There are 2 types of grafting of a bush or tree:
- Stem;
- Root
Cuttings allowed to propagate Brugmansia, whose age is not less than a year. This procedure can be carried out 2 times a year: in early autumn and early spring. Most gardeners prefer to cut the plant in spring, believing that the root system develops faster during this period. What time in spring to plant Brugmansia? This can be started from mid-March. This method is easier than the previous one. In addition, a shrub or tree propagated by cuttings develops faster, respectively, blooms faster.
For harvesting cuttings, stems should be selected whose length is not less than 25 cm. The stalk is cut with a pruner, from its upper part, under the apical branch. As in most cases of propagation of plants by cuttings, the lower leaves are completely removed from it, the upper leaves are cut in half.
Important! Cuttings are cut from a tree whose height is at least 85 cm. This is due to the high buds.
Root cuttings of Brugmansia is a more preferable method for beginners, since the shrub that has grown after applying this method is better to take root, develop faster, and it is easier to care for.
Rooting Brugmansia in the substrate
The rooting of cuttings is carried out either in water or in a special soil mixture.
Note! Not for all varieties of Brugmansia, rooting of cuttings in water is suitable.
Layering
This is the most time-consuming method of breeding brugmansia. In order to get layering, it is necessary to select a well-developed shoot on an adult plant and make a shallow cut of the kidney. Next, a root growth stimulator is poured into it, and the whole place of the incision is wrapped in moss. Moss is acquired special, for example, sphagnum. The incision site is very important to constantly moisten. This procedure is carried out in mid-March, already in mid-June, the resulting layering can be cut and planted in a nutrient substrate for 14-21 days. After the shoot has grown, it can be transplanted to a permanent habitat.
Heat-loving Brugmansia
Brugmansia flowers are not too capricious in content, but if you do not follow the basic rules for care, the bush may die. Having placed the plant in a warm and bright place, regularly fertilizing the earth with nutrients, maintaining a certain air humidity and performing timely pruning, you can enjoy long and lush flowering and exquisite aroma of this exotic flower.
