If you've recieved a cutting, you may keep them in water all winter, changing it as needed, until you are ready to pot them up (recommended if this is your first time with brugs). You may also want to see my section on "Bubbling Brugs". As soon as they have a good root system in early Spring, pot them up and give extra light and warmth.
Keep your cutting moist until you can put in an opaque cup containing 2“ of cool water and watch for bumps (lenticles) to appear and swell on the stem. This may take a few days to a few weeks, change water every few days. When roots start, transfer to 16 oz cup (with drainage holes) or 4” pot. Water once then let dry completely before watering again.
When transfering to a small pot or clear plastic cup, using a sterile medium, until they become rootbound. You may also cut them in several 1 to 2" pieces, lay them lengthwise buried 1/4 deep in a pot of slightly moist potting soil--this seems to give a better and sturdier root base, and more plants!
Keep in cup until root bound (pretty full of roots), then transfer to One Gallon pot. When root bound again, transfer to 3 gallon then to ground or 5 gallon pot. Always make sure you have a well draining, sterile potting soil with plenty of perlite. Starting with a healthy root system will be your best bet for success.
Too much water kills more babies than any other reason. Do NOT keep the soil wet, it's better to be more dry than wet, especially in the cooler weather and lower light conditions. Watch also for Spider Mites (look for a fine webs that distort leaves) using a 1-1 part alcohol to water in a spray bottle works best,) although you may want to try a (dish) soap and water rinse first.) Remember to spray top and bottoms of leaves and keep out of sunlight for 1 day.
Keep this tiny plant in a bright, warm (6o+ degree) spot, out of direct sun until a new set of leaves arrive. At this point, remember that this IS a growing plant, the more light the better and sturdier plant you will have. I do recommend a grow light. They like warm days and cool nights the best. A 1/2 strength solution of fertilizer can now be started (I prefer Peters, but Miracle Grow will do) until the second stage of potting up, then regular strength will do 1-2 X per week.
This young plant will be 3-7 ft by next fall (or more) with the proper care. They can be grown as a container plant or put in the ground, or both. Despite what I mention here, they really are easy to grow!
When ready for the outdoors, remember to harden it off like any other plant. It's always best to try and match the inside and out temperatures when contemplating this move. These may be grown in light shade, however morning sun with afternoon shade is preferable for the most blooms. I would not keep these in full sun unless they are planted in the ground with a steady supply of water when needed, they will wilt and let you know! If all goes well, you should start having blooms in June.
The latest craze is drilling at least 6 holes in a 5 gal pot to let the roots grow into the soil. They use a door knob bit--haven't tried it yet myself! When fall comes, shovel prune the pot, and store in a bigger pot or garbage bag for the winter, giving them a small drink every 3 weeks. In the Spring, trim the roots, and put in fresh soil, remember a brug can live happily for years in a 5-15 gallon pot.
Growing Outside
When I plant in the ground directly, I mix in composted cow manure, Nature's Helper and osmacote with our clay soil. They do seem to like the clay which holds water and their immense roots. I also stake the ones I grow as a tree, as they extremely top heavy and vulnerable to high winds. I have found 8-10' rebar the best method (and less obtrusive).
Fertilizer is the most important. I fertilize two times a week with Peters water-soluble 20-20-20, switching out with compost or manure tea. However, many folks have had good success using only 10-10-10 twice a month. Angels do love to bloom and need their food and water.
If you see the leaves looking yellow, a good shot of epsom salts will usually do the trick, scatter a couple tablespoons around each plant (less in a pot) and water in.
4 ways to over winter
1. Cut to the ground and mulch with a foot of shredded leaves or other good mulch, uncover early spring, and await late summer/fall bloom
-Please be aware that after 2-3 years your plant may lose it's vigor inground
2. Take cuttings of semi or woody stems (Be sure and steralize you pruners between different plants)
-can stay in fresh water all winter (less worry and work)
-learn my bubbling trick
-plant in 2" pots, watch carefully for pests, do not overwater
3. Cut down stalks to ground level in late summer, remove most leaves, let stalk root and plant for whole trees next year (see below)
4. Keep in 5 gallon (or larger) pot year-round, let rest at least 2 months with minimum water, no fertilizer & little light, increase light late winter and begin water and light fertilizer, trim roots in spring and replace soil for best results.