Brugmansia

topic posted Sun, March 13, 2005 - 10:00 PM by  Pilsbury
I love Brugmansia. People still confuse them with Datura, which grows like a sprawling bush sometimes and occasionally grows back from a root. They both have strong scented large bell shaped flowers. Brugmansia is the " tree datura " as it is often called. It also contains atropine alkaloids amongs others in varying amounts depending on species. In other words, it can kill you if misused. I resently had one of my hybrids flower and it's amazing! I hope to get pictures soon, the flowers are unlike any other Brugmansia, the colour is Mauve, with chartreuse striping. I crossed B. sanguinea ( female ) with B. vulcanola ( male pollen ). I have another plant flowering from the same seed but it's colour is more hot pink. The Mauve flower has a similiar structure to that of B. sanguinea. When it warms up I'll make cuttings. I don't believe the hybrids will make viable seeds but ya never know.
posted by:
Pilsbury
SF Bay Area
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    Re: Brugmansia

    Sat, March 26, 2005 - 1:09 AM
    It's hard to keep up with classification sometimes. I have read from taxonomy articles that many of the Daturas are being reclassified as Brugmansias.

    I have a fondness for D. suavolens, seed/pod/root/flower containing atropine, a lot of hyoscyamine/hyoscine and a good deal of scopolomine as well.

    The Jung seed catalog (local SE WI) is selling a number of varieties of Datura, which are quite pretty, fragrant and large.

    www.jungseed.com/jungsite/...rowse.aspx
  • Re: Brugmansia

    Fri, September 8, 2006 - 11:20 AM
    I realize this is an old thread, but I couldn't resist. Did any of your sanguineas produce bluish shades? Many hybrids can actually produce seeds, depending I think on the variety and conditions. Which one was mauve?

    A gnarly old B. suaveolens grew at my old house in California and produced great flowers. Before I left, I managed to take about twenty little cuttings with me to Oregon in July where I live now. I'm in love with these plants, and this particular variety seems to be very hardy and rewarding. Currently looking to expand my collection here, possibly in a greenhouse so as to allow them to flower and fruit properly.

    Would love to get my hands on B. aurea or B. vulcanicola. I haven't seen too many suppliers with a wide range in this country, but this seems to be a great source, if you don't mind using Babelfish to complete the transaction and pay a little more for shipping:
    www.sementes.de
    • Re: Brugmansia

      Mon, October 2, 2006 - 7:57 AM
      The Mauve flower came from a hybrid of B. vulcanicola and B. sanguinea. I haven't noticed
      any bluish tones. I find this species is most excellent for drinking meade out of the flowers, they resemble fluted champagne glasses. The Bay Area has Brugmansias everywhere growing.
      • Re: Brugmansia

        Mon, October 2, 2006 - 10:37 AM
        Just dropped a few B. suaveolens cuttings into the ground yesterday after living in pots for three months. A little nervous, but if the temp gets too low this winter, I'll figure out a way to keep them safe. Before I move from this house I'm renting, I'll install an automatic drip for these guys. All other brugs received a container upgrade.

        > I find this species is most excellent for drinking meade out of the flowers

        Where/how do you hold the flower, while drinking?

        > The Bay Area has Brugmansias everywhere growing.

        Shame that I caught on to that so late while still living there. And yet I seem to remember only seeing B. suaveolens in yards and nurseries. eBay has a steadyish supply of B. aurea and a couple of other varieties, the sellers seeming to hail mostly from the southern US.
  • Re: Brugmansia

    Mon, October 2, 2006 - 10:57 AM
    Are there any brugmansia's that would grow well in a climate that is hot (over 100F for a few weeks) in the summer and cool (around freezing for a few days) in the winter?
    • Re: Brugmansia

      Mon, October 2, 2006 - 12:51 PM
      Depends somewhat on the variety. If you don't know what you have, it's probably a B. sauvoleans. These (and several hybrids) tend to be the toughest. Mine lived through those temperature highs for many years, and did quite well, although partial shade may have helped.

      Brugs do NOT like frost, but they can be overwintered in your garage or wherever. Since it's beneficial to repot them periodically anyway (unless the live in the ground), there's no reason not to take this conservative approach if you're feeling uncertain.

      Or take your chances and fight the frost. I can't speak from experience yet, but I am told that covering them with something might prevent them from freezing, as will misting them at night before you go to bed.

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