I was out in the front yard a couple of evenings ago and got hit by one of my favorite fragrances – the Angel Trumpets are starting to bloom! The blooms last a few days, but they only seem to be fragrant at night. I’ve been taking better care of them this year and I think it is starting to pay off.
Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ay) Genus: Brugmansia (broog-MAN-zee-ah)
I’ve been trying to make sure to fertilize once a month, although some of the reading I’ve done says to fertilize every two to three weeks for maximum flower buds. Whatever. At least I’m getting it done. I use Miracle-Gro sometimes, but I have been using water soluble tomato fertilizer, since tomatoes and angel trumpet both are in the nightshade family. (Didn’t know that, did you?!) Nice to be able to fertilize the angel trumpets while I’m taking care of the tomatoes.
I’ve read that to boost the foliage on your Angel Trumpet, a good dose of ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) applied in early spring and late summer, is best. Use approximately three tablespoons for every two gallons of water that is applied. (I haven’t used that.) You can also use Ironite once in the spring, summer and fall. That’s easy and another amendment that I can use on a lot of plants.
Important note: all parts of the plant are narcotic and poisonous. Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds or cuttings! Do as I say, not as I do. I’m trying to be better. Twitch, twitch.
