ROOTING YOUR BRUGMANSIA (ANGEL TRUMPET) CUTTINGS

Growing Brugmansias – a Beautiful Challenge

Brugmansia cuttings Soil rootingRooting in soil

There are two ways to root a brugmansia in soil: vertically or horizontally. For either way, you will need at least one growth node per segment so the plant can form new leaves. Start with light weight, fertile potting soil. The most important aspect of the soil is that it can hold some moisture.

Vertical rooting

To create a vertical cutting, cut a 4- to 6-inch long segment from the plant. Strip the plant down to 2 to 3 leaves. After watering the soil to pre-wet it, make a hole in the potting soil with your finger. Push the cutting down about 1 to 2 inches and firmly press the soil around the cutting to support it vertically.

Check the moisture level by feeling or observing the soil. You want it to be damp but not wet, which could rot the cutting. After two to three weeks, you should start to see roots form. To test this, tug at the cutting and feel the resistance. If it is in doubt, wait another week; if it is rooted, you should start to see new leaf growth. If it hasn’t rooted, you will likely see or smell signs of rot.

Brugmansia Cuttings Vertical

Horizontal rooting

If you don’t have a long enough cutting for the vertical method, or if you want more plants per each segment, you can try rooting Brugs horizontally. This is a bit more difficult and has a higher failure rate. For horizontal rooting, you will need at least one growth node per segment.

Rooting in water

Water rooting is a good way to grow new plants from cuttings. For hardwood cuttings, remove all but the top one or two pairs of leaves. For greenwood cuttings, you can leave more leaves on. Fill a glass jar with water. Place your cuttings in the jar. Change the water every day (if you have chlorinated tap water, allow water to stand overnight in an open container before using on your cuttings.) Do not put in direct sun. Do not allow leaves to become submerged in the water as they will rot.

Brugmansia Cuttings Water Rooting 3

When you see white nubbies (lenticels) form on the cutting, it’s time to take out your plant from its watery home and put into a good soil mix with excellent drainage. It may droop for awhile as they adjust themselves after being taken out of their old environment but just give them some patience!

New brugmansia plants need a good root system in order to grow and thrive. Give your new plant some time before fertilizing – which could lead to Angel Trumpet errors if you know what I mean!

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