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About Tom Alonzo
Expertise
I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.

Experience
I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Roses > Perennials > brugmansia "Joli" bloom drop

Perennials - brugmansia "Joli" bloom drop

Expert: Tom Alonzo - 10/28/2009

Question
I have a brugmansia [Angel Trumpet] that is producing blooms. I brought this one into the kitchen, rather than the greenhouse, and set it near the sliding patio doors, with a grow light over it. It had one bloom that was probably about two days from opening, and then it dropped. The next day the one that was would have opened next dropped, too. The past couple of days it has dropped a couple of the tiny blooms, as well.
Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? My husband has an Agriculture degree, we've had a greenhouse for about 10 years now. I've been growing brugmansia's for about 5 years now and have quite a collection. The "Joli" is a red, and was so anxious to see it bloom, so I really want to find the problem. Would it be a characteristic of the "Joli"? I use bloomer fertilizer periodically and has always worked well for me. Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Answer
Hi Carol,
Thanx for your question. Brugmansia experience bud drop whenever they are stressed. Moving the plant from the outdoors to and indoor location stresses the plant although not dangerously so. Here is a link that provides information for overwintering in climates cooler than zone 8 (the coolest zone in which Brugmansia will grow outdoors). You can allow the plant to go dormant and store in a dimly lit place safe from cold or you can overwinter as a houseplant. Basically, for now, the plant needs to have some time to acclimate itself and get used to its new surroundings. It will be fine.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/exotic/brugmansia-winter-care-wintering-brugmans...

There is a brugmansia organization in which you may want to get involved to learn more about your plants.
http://www.brugmansia.us/content/index.php

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/brug/

I hope this helps.
Tom

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