How is the soil around the rootball? Has it been staying too wet or not draining for some reason? Sometimes plants will stay too wet in the winter because they aren't actively growing and taking up water via thier root systems then the roots will rot and this causes dieback in the stems etc.

*sultry

That's what I was thinking. I took a floor fan & have it rotating back & forth across the brugs & seedlings. Seems to help dry them out a little faster than normal! :) No more drying of the stems or withering!

*Franz

I hope it comes back to it's original - beautiful 'self' for you!

Mike

franz_in_la, send me a photo and I'll take a look before saying what I think, neglect will surely do it.

Gang,

Thanks for the responses. Man, what I don't know about Brugmansia! Are you suggesting I actually dig the thing up even though it is (or was) taller than me? I would never consider this sort of thing for a "regular" tree, but it seems we are talking about a special sort of beast here.

Franz

Franz without seeing the plant I have no idea what the problem might be, even seeing it I might not know. You could take cuttings of what appear to be healthy branches and try rooting them just in case it's some type of systemic problem that is spreading through the tree. If you decide to dig it up it's not a big deal. Even big ones aren't difficult to lift. The roots can be severely pruned as long as the above ground growth is also pruned. Just take a sharp spade and cut in a circle about 5" out from center and a foot down. I usually sink pots but I had a few trees that were over 6' planted directtly inground that I lifted last fall.
Karyn

Franz and I have been emailing back and forth, I recommended that he cut it back to the ground and let it start over. Root those cuttings he can for more plants.

KHT could you tell if it was disease or just neglect? Hopefully the latter.
Karyn

karyn1, I would say negect as it was awesom in his earlier photo. They are learning and with cutting it back it should renew itself as there was still life in the old gal.

Gang,

Yes, KHT is embarrassingly right about "neglect." I'm just glad the adjective used was "awesome" and not "evil" or "loathsome." I realize I'm in conversation now with folks who *love* Brugmansia and I know you must all think I'm a horrible person. I could tell you my excuses, but that would be depressing, and as Spring is in the air in Los Angeles, let's just look toward the future.

I've talked with the wife and convinced her cutting the tree down to the ground is the best idea. I'll look up how to root cuttings, since there will be several trunk sections available for that. I still have one question:

Should I plant the cuttings right by the old plant, thus having potentially several trunks near each other? I don't know if this will add wonderful fullness to the Brug area of the garden, or just crowd the poor things--which have been through enough already.

Thanks for all your help,

Franz

It was mentioned above how beautiful this brug was as seen in earlier pictures. Would have been nice had our LA friend posted those pictures.

Noma

It should send up several trunks. Trying to get rooted cuttings to catch up to your newly invigortated plant, will be futile. Put them where they csn get plenty of sun and not get shaded by your "new" tree.

franz_in_la, so sorry to speak about you behind your back. I'm glad your wife agreed to the cutting her back and know that would be the best to start her anew. Remember she needs attention and feeding and she will be back in no time to the glory in the photo. You did great for your first year and know winter there can do damage without protection. I will save you the comments on how I feel about landscapers that don't give homeowners care instructions. LOL As for the rooting cuttings I would do them in water and do not plant them really close but put them in pots up against the wall for a double effect while walking in this area? Let me know if I can be of any additional help. This one can take more sun than other brugmansia, happy growing!

Hi all,

No problem talking about me, KHT, I thoroughly deserve anything you said--and so does my landscape architect! (Thanks, I'll blame everything on him in the future.) I'll get started on the cuttings now. It's HOT in LA. Oh, and here's a picture for Noma (just try to ignore the foreground.)

Thanks to everyone. I'll try to send another photo when things look better again.

Franz

{{gwi:455536}}

What a pretty tree. It should reach it's original size in no time with a little care. Just think you'll have several more to plant and the cuttings grow really fast as well. Good luck.
Karyn