In the summer in some gardens you can notice an unusual plant resembling a dope - with a large beautiful flower and a strong aroma. This tree shrub - Brugmancia, an alien from South America. Brugmansia is highly decorative, and even novice gardeners are able to plant and care for it in the open field. The main problem faced when growing this southern plant is its sensitivity to cold and frost. Therefore, Brugmansia is often called a poppy plant: it spends summer outdoors, and winter indoors - in a tub.
Did you know? In addition to beauty and aroma, Brugmancia has a whole "bunch" of properties: it can cause hallucinations, have an antispasmodic and anesthetic effect, help with asthma and inflammatory processes. In its homeland in the Andean region, Brugmancia is actively used for religious and recreational purposes. Apply the plant in various forms: its leaves are rolled into cigars, they make smoking mixtures from its seeds and tobacco, brew tea from leaves and flowers, insist seeds on wine, squeeze out juice, prepare enemas from leaves decoction, hot compresses from chopped fresh leaves, etc. .
Brugmansia: Botanical Description
Brugmansia (Brugmansia) forms a separate genus and belongs to the family Solanaceae. Previously, it was attributed to the genus Datura. Brugmansia received its name in honor of S. Y. Brugmans, a botanist of the XYIII century from Leiden (Holland). Perennial tree-like shrubs have flexible green branches, large leaves, large (from 15 to 50 cm in length, 25-30 cm in diameter) simple, double, two-level flowers of a tubular-bell-shaped form (the angel's tube is the second name that the flower received due to its shape ).
Coloring - white, pink, peach, yellow, orange. On one plant can grow hundreds of flowers. One flower blooms from one to two or three days. The aroma of flowers is enhanced in the evening and especially at night. Flowering continues from July to December.
In total there are 6 types:
- golden (B. aurea) - in nature it can reach 6 m in height, it is distinguished by bright yellow shades of flowers, lowered leaves;
- fragrant (B. suaveolens) - famous for its rapid growth (3–7 cm per day), fragrant flowers of white color with green veins;
- snow-white (B. candida) - looks like a small tree, with oval velvet leaves and white flowers (sometimes with apricot and yellow shades);
- bloody (B. sanguinea) - the most resistant to the cold of Brugmans, can reach 12 m tall, flowers are bright orange with a red border;
- variegated (B. versicolor) - has the longest flowers in the genus (up to 50 cm) in cream color.
For breeding in gardens and greenhouses hundreds of varieties were bred, differing in color of flowers and leaves, their shape, size (Apricot Queen, Miss Rhianna, Variegata, Wow Verde, Fandango, etc.).
Site selection and soil preparation for Brugmans
Brugmancia needs a maximum approximation to the natural living conditions, then the cultivation and care will not make much effort. The natural conditions for Brugmansia are tropics and subtropics, plenty of light, and humidity. The temperature regime most favorable for the growth of brumancia is not lower than +23 ° C in summer and +8 ° C in winter. It should be borne in mind that the plant does not like drafts and is afraid of strong winds (large flowers and large leaves create a windage and branches can break during strong gusts of wind).
Lighting for brugmansia
Brugmansia is a light-loving plant, it feels most comfortable in bright sunshine, therefore the landing area for brugmansii should be well lit (in the extreme case - to be slightly shaded). In the shade, the Brugmansia almost ceases to bloom;
What should be the soil for planting
For a good development of Brugmancia, a neutral, loose and fertile soil is needed. On the site you can prepare the landing site - to make a soil mixture of loam, humus (one part) and peat (2 parts). Before planting, a well loosened mixed mixture can be poured over with a manganese aqueous solution (pink).
Brugmans reproduction: how to plant a plant
Brugmansia is propagated by generative (seed) and vegetative (air layering and cuttings) methods.
Seed method
Brugmancia from seeds does not reproduce very readily, besides planting and grooming require more effort than with other methods of reproduction. Seed germination is not guaranteed (the seed may germinate in ten days, fifty days, it may not germinate at all). A plant obtained in this way can only bloom next year. Another disadvantage is that the varietal characteristics of hybrid varieties during seed propagation are not preserved. Therefore, this method is not very popular among gardeners. Sowing Brugmans usually conducted from early January to March inclusive.
The sowing procedure is as follows:
- seed preparation (soak for a day in a growth stimulator or scratch the seed coat with a knife tip);
- lay down to a depth of 10 mm, moisten, cover with foil and maintain the temperature from 20 to 25 ° C;
- after the emergence of shoots, remove the film, sprinkle the shoots until the fifth leaf appears, then transplant into a separate container.
Important! Brugmansia is a poisonous plant. All its organs contain scopolamine, atropine and other toxic substances (poisoning can cause diarrhea, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, etc.). This plant is especially dangerous for children who can taste beautiful flowers. Cut the plant should be in gloves so that the juice does not fall on the skin of the hands.
Reproduction by cuttings
Given the shortcomings of seed multiplication of many gardeners are interested in the question of how to propagate Brugmansii cuttings. Cutting is the most popular way of breeding this plant, because it guarantees a quick and successful result. It is possible to practice cuttings all year round, but the most favorable conditions for this are in spring (when sap flow begins) and in autumn (before frosts begin).
Did you know? Brugmansii and dope have common ancestors and belong to the same family. Karl Linney in 1753 combined them into one group. In 1973, T. Lockwood formulated distinctive features. In the 1980s The Association of American Breeders has brought together Brugmans and dope again. Among the distinctive features: Datura - annual, herbaceous plant (up to 1.5 m tall), the flowers look up, the seed box is covered with thorns, like a chestnut tree, the growth phase is short (flower buds appear with 3-4 leaves). Brugmansia - perennial, shrub plant, lignified branches, flowers look down, seed boxes oblong, pods, a longer phase of growth.
Before growing Brugmansia from cuttings, you need to select and prepare the material. Lignified annual apical shoots with a bud (15-25 cm) are best suited. Lateral buds can also be used, but the flowering of a young plant will occur a year and a half later. Cutting the cuttings, you need to free them from the leaves. After this, the cuttings are placed in a container with soft warm water (often activated charcoal is added). For better germination, it is best to keep the container in a warm place. After the appearance of Kalus (white dots on the stem) can be transplanted into containers with the ground and kept in a warm and bright place.
Growing Brugmansia by air layouts
Brugmansia allows reproduction not only by cuttings and seeds, but also by air layering. For this transversely incised (approximately на) lignified annual shoots. The cut is treated with a root formation stimulator (“Kornevin”, “Heteroauxin”, etc.), wrapped with sphagnum, moistened and wrapped with film. Sphagnum should be watered periodically. After 6-8 weeks, check for the presence of air roots. After their appearance, the shoot can be cut, remove the leaves and rooted in a container with a light fertile soil.
How to grow Brugmansia: the secrets of care
To Brugmansiya constantly and abundantly blossomed, creeper needs not only proper planting, but also the right care. For this you need to know and apply a few rules - how to water, feed, trim.
Did you know? When blooming Brugmansia, a strong aroma (especially at night) can affect a person differently (cause headaches, hallucinations, erotic dreams, etc.). Each type of Brugmansia smells differently (imperceptible - in Sanguinea, the strongest - in Suaveolens). Aroma is something between the smells of lily, jasmine, musk, mint, lemon and hyacinth. It is not recommended to place Brugmansia in bedrooms, nurseries and living rooms.
Brugmansia: watering
Brugmancia is not particularly fastidious in irrigation, but it should be borne in mind that:
- In the hot summer, water should be plentiful (a signal for watering is the dried surface of the soil). In the evening, the adult plant can be sprayed (when Brugmansia is in bloom, you need to ensure that water does not fall into the flowers). Young plants need regular spraying;
- In winter, watering is necessary depending on wintering conditions. In a warm and bright room you can save the summer mode of irrigation, spray those plants that are near the battery or heater. In a cool room - minimal watering (so that the earth does not dry out, but also so that the leaves do not lose elasticity).
Did you know? After the death of the leader of the Katsik, the Indians of the Chibcha-Muiska in the Andes were doused with the juice of the Brugmansia’s wives and slaves of the deceased and buried them alive with the leader’s body. The warriors of the Jivaro tribe, before the military clashes, made themselves enemas from the decoction of this plant in order to gain strength and courage. In Colombia, criminals grated dry leaves are added secretly to tourists to drink to commit crimes (robbery, rape).
Feeding Brugmans
Brugmansia has a good appetite. It is necessary to feed it regularly with complex fertilizers. Brugmansia does not refuse organic matter — solution of mullein (the ratio to water is one to ten). The first feeding of Brugmans is carried out in the spring. In the summer, Brugmansia is fed every 7-10 days with complex organo-mineral fertilizers. With the beginning of flowering, greater emphasis is placed on phosphorus and potassium-containing fertilizers. When kept warm in winter, top dressing is reduced to once a month. In cool conditions, the maintenance of feeding is terminated.
Important! When yellow stripes, streaks, dashes or specks of different shades appear on the leaves of Brugmancia, the plant should be urgently fertilized with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. You also need to feed once a month during active growth with magnesium sulfate (1 tbsp per liter of water).
How to cut Brugmans
Brugmansia does not require special pruning, but caring for the plant and propagating by cuttings implies periodic surgical interventions. In addition, pruning contributes to a better further flowering of Brugmancia. The best time to remove damaged and dead stems is from February to mid-March. The main stem can not be pruned, only the lateral. The next rule is not to cut Y-shaped shoots, as well as to keep small horizontal side branches in the upper part of the crown (you can cut off their tips by 1/3), flowers are formed on them.
Features of care for Brugmancia in winter
In middle latitudes, Brugmancia will not be able to winter in open ground. When the temperature in the fall drops to the level of 5-7 ° C, this is a signal to move to the "winter apartment". There are several ways to keep Brugmans in the winter. The choice depends on whether you want to give the plant peace or want to extend the flowering period until January and longer:
- To prolong flowering, Brugmancia should be placed in a warm, bright room, keeping the summer pattern of care. Additional lighting fitolampa (light day in winter is short);
- for the period of half-weather - to find a cooler room, to sting about once a month, to water less frequently and to provide additional lighting;
- for rest - put in a dry dark room (with a temperature of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius). Brugmansia will shed the leaves, at the end of winter (before it is time to plant in open ground) you need to transfer it to a bright and warmer room, because new buds will begin to wake up.
Important! If you want to achieve peace for Brugmansia, then remember that the temperature above 12-15 degrees Celsius will cause the plant to "wake up". If you want to continue flowering - insufficient lighting will lead to growth and stretching of the shoots. Recommendations to cut off Brugmancia as much as possible for the winter and leave until spring in a dark room are erroneous. It will damage the plant and deprive you of the expected flowering.
When “relocating” to winter apartments, it is necessary to carefully dig out Brugmancia (with a clod of earth). The root ball transfer can be placed in the desired container, can be placed on film, pulled off with scotch tape and moved to the wintering place (fill in the voids, you need to seal it in place). In the spring Brugmansiya will go on cultivation in an open ground. To simplify the future transplant, it is better to immediately transplant the plant in a container, and in the fall with the container to remove. For the circulation of nutrients and water in the container holes are made.
Major pests and diseases of Brugmans
The main pests that threaten Brugmancia are spider mites (at home), aphids, whiteflies, slugs and caterpillars (despite being poisonous, they devour leaves and flowers). The main signs of a pest attack are damage on leaves and flowers, falling leaves. Folk control measures in this case do little. 
From pests effectively spraying special preparations ("Aktellik", "Fiofarm", "Plant Spray", "Agravertin", "Bio Insect"). Particular attention should be paid to the opposite sides of the leaves and internodes. Two or three treatments per week is usually enough to get rid of pests. Flower Brugmansia garden often suffers from various diseases, planting and caring for the plant should include preventive measures: Do not plant other plants near them; in the winter, air the room in which Brugmansia is located daily. Florists recommend that, for prophylaxis, once a season it is poured abundantly to water the trunk circle with a solution of hydrated lime (1 g per liter of water). 
Of the diseases, Brugmancia suffers most from gray rot. The most common cause is excessive moisture. It is necessary to stop watering (about a week) in order for the soil to dry out, the affected shoots to be removed. Treatment of a sick plant with Topaz means well helps with this disease.
