Hybrid Angel Trumpets

Most of the Angels do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Since they have such large leaves, they can take up quite a bit a water and can droop easily on very hot days. They can also perk right back up after sundown if there is enough moisture in the ground. Why not keep them in a pot and move them about the yard until you find a happy place for them?

Planting in the ground or in the pot, I like using mulch and underplanting my standards with coleus and daylilies. If you're growing yours as a bush, mulch very heavily but keep it away from the trunk.

Just remember one thing, plant them where you can enjoy the scent at night and early morning!

Brugs like plenty of water and fertilizer* until late September when they need to start slowing down for their winter rest.  However, I usually have my best flushes of bloom in October up until frost!

*I have recently found that fertilizing in temps over 85 degrees is unproductive and have started cutting down during this period.  My best results have been with Osmacote with it's timed release forumula.

When I plant in the ground, I add a generous amount of organic matter; Nature's Helper and Composted Manure along with my clay soil. Being subject to root-rot, I also try to plant in a raised bed or make sure I have good drainage.  I prefer Osmacote as fertilzer but many have success using 10-10-10 every 3 weeks instead of the timed release. I also foliar feed once a week  or so with Peter's or Miracle Grow switching out with Alfalfa or Compost Tea. Brugs also prefer a PH of 6.5-7.0.

When kept in pots, be careful of drenching with liquid fertilizers like Miracle Grow which can cause a build up of salts. It's best to use a long-release Osmacote-type granular fertilizer mixed into the soil and regular doses of foliar feeding or organic methods.

They may surprise you! I've had some bloom at 12", the bloom was larger than the plant!

The first sign that your Angel is getting ready to bloom is watching for the "Y".

The second sign is watching the leaves above the 'Y' for an 'unequal' leaf. In this photo, you can see them all, even the first bud.

If you are growing your Angel as a standard, they can become quite top heavy and be vulnerable to heavy winds and rain. I like to stake mine with bamboo or rebar, especially the ones that are 6' and higher, tying them up with a stretchy type tape, if you use plastic ties, be careful of it cutting into the trunk. In times of extreme heat and stress, I often remove most of the bottom  or larger leaves to reduce moisture loss.

Pots can also blow over easily, you can put a layer of stone at the bottom of the pot, or keep it out of the wind. When your brug is big enough for it's largest pot, I like using the huge red or blue utility tubs with handles (spray painted of course) which can be very heavy and can take a lot of water. You can also treat it somewhat like a bonsai by root pruning to keep it sized to your pot. Water crystals may be fine to use, just make sure they are not wintered over in the soil containing them.

Watch your brugs closely for spider mites, white flies, slugs, cucumber beetles and caterpillars, they are related to the Solanum family just like your tomatoes.

Sytemics, Sevin and BT work well if infestations are bad. For spider mites, I use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water--spay in the evening after sundown.

Warning!

Also be careful of getting any "juice" from the plant (by cutting stems or snapping off leaves) on your hands. If this is transmitted to your eyes it can cause dilation of the pupils.  All parts of plant are toxic, however no injuries have ever been reported.