Angel Trumpet

[cherokeelady88]

Does anyone know a seed source for angel trumpets? Especially purple people eater?

[flowerpower]

Are those datura or brugmansia? Sammy grows alot of brugs, she may know of a reliable source.

[canadamike]

Yep, Sammyqc is definitely the one to talk to about these, either daturas or brugmensia. I tell you in advance, and Flower will sure confirm, if you start her on this subject....... :oyou will soon discover how passionate she is about them

[cherokeelady88]

Thanks I'll pm her. They are brugmensia.

[flowerpower]

oh no, you said Brugs. LOL Sammy will have loads of info for you.

[cherokeelady88]

I hope so. I am very interested in these but have never grown any.

[sammyqc]

I just got back from an exhausting trip with kids, so bear with me if I'm not totally clear.
First, Brugmansia for sure? or Datura? Dat's flowers point upwards, hence Devil's Trumpet, aka Jimson weed. Usually grown as an annual, or short lived perennial (if you bring it inside for the winter).
Brugs (Angel's Trumpet) flowers point down, but the two are often confused, flower's are very similiar otherwise. Brugs are long lived perennial shrubs, but can't take much cold, so indoors for the winter for most, unless zone 7+. Native to South America.

Brugs from seed are not a good bet if you are trying to get something particular, like a double or a certain color, etc. Usually propagated by cuttings, and if you want a particular variety, such as Frosty Pink, or Dr. Seuss, or any of the other hundreds, they must be from cuttings. Seeds usually come up white, but if you are a breeder with a few years to play with, that's different. You can afford the whites, while waiting for something special. And some are more likely to throw pinks or yellows, than others.

Purple people eater is a dat. Easy from seed, soak the seeds overnight, plant, and wait - sometimes up to a month.

A really good source for info is ABADS - American Brug and Dat Association. Also GardenWeb has an awesome brug forum, compared to most. Friendly, and fantastic people, willing to share cuttings and info like you wouldn't believe, despite some bad seeds on the whole GardenWeb. The Brug forum is not like that at all.

I can't remember off hand who the best sellers are, there are only a few highly recommended in the States by American growers. Your best bet is to try from cuttings, from trades or nice people, will save you some money, and when/if they don't take, you won't be out a bunch of cash. Plants are expensive, for the most part. In the fall, when most Northerners cut back our plants, we have tons of cuttings available for postage only. We hate to compost them, but often, some go unclaimed. So there is no shortage.

As a Canadian, I can't legally send plants to the States without certain forms, etc...but I have friends in the States, who would be willing to share. Or I could send you some 'toy flutes'.

Hope some of this helped. Like I said, I am kind of brain dead after this trip, so let me know what didn't make sense.

Sammy


PS. I pm'd the same info, just in case.

[sammyqc]

One of the nurseries that is highly recommended is Seedsprout. They have a nice on-line catalog that will start you drooling. Another is Country Garden - www.countrygdn.com/
I've never ordered from them, but people in the US that have all said good things.
And if you're on Gardenweb, a few people are offering cuttings to newbies right now. You should check it out. An easy way to get some cuttings.
As for Dat seeds, lot of sources, even ebay. Just check the sellers ratings, some are more honest that others about what exactly they are selling!

[cherokeelady88]

Thanks for all the great links. I joined gardenweb yesterday.You have been a really big help. Any special secrets for germinating seeds? Do they root cuttings in soil or water?

[canadamike]

Solanacae are usually easy to root in moist soil, ans some, like tomatoes, even root along the stem in moist climate.... I would be surprised if they were any different, but Sammy will confirm soon...

[sammyqc]

Most brugs root very easily in water, there are some exceptions. Sanguineas are supposed to be the difficult children, not easy to grow in almost any climate. They don't like hot, cold, too much sun, too much shade, etc....and they are usually grown from seed, iirc. Don't root well from cuttings. I haven't bothered to try them myself for long (I gave one a year, then composted it), too many others out there. Variegated brugs are also a bit more tempermental. I have a Peaches n Cream, that is three years old, and barely 16 inches high. I still haven't figured out the trick for that one. Others I have that are the same age, over 6 feet right now!!

The general agreement seems to be the NOIDs are do the best, just to be a pain, and I would concur. I have several whites and pinks, and they always outperform the named brugs. (NOIDs simply means no ID - lost tags, etc, simply go by the color).

As for the seeds, dats germinate better if you soak them overnight in water, then plant in a nice, loose soil. Brug seed, if fresh, can be planted directly into the soil, or if dry, soak for a day or two, peel off the cork, and plant.

Brugs also are heavy feeders, dats not so much. Two or three times a week, for my brugs, if potted. The inground ones are planted in large holes filled with compost and epsom salt. Foliar epsom salt feeding is also helpful, especial if the leaves are getting light green. They are the one case where I use Miracle Grow or similar sometimes for a real boost, cause I ain't planning on eating them. Just easier.

In some ways they are very similiar to Tomatoes. Maybe that's why I like them both so much.

[canadamike]

I told you she would confirm soon ;D