Propagation of Brugmansia "Miner's Claim"

Characteristics

"Miner's Claim" is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 9 and higher. This cultivar is larger than many Brugmansia varieties and can grow up to 16 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The foliage is evergreen, and the fragrant flowers appear on the shrub year-round. This plant has variegated foliage, producing leaves that have a broad margin of ivory or light yellow.

While fertile "Miner's Claim" seeds can germinate and grow into new plants, the resulting plants usually vary in appearance from the parent plant. The proper way to plant Brugmansia seeds is to sow them indoors in a room that maintains temperatures between 64 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the seeds with a 1/5-inch layer of humus or peat moss. Keeping the seeds damp and warm helps them germinate in about 10 to 20 days. Brugmansia plants grown from seed are often more susceptible to disease and may produce poor-quality blossoms.

Stem cuttings are the most common method for propagating Brugmansia varieties, including "Miner's Claim." This type of propagation involves cutting 10- to 18-inch lengths of branches from the end tips in the summer. Known as semihardwood cuttings, the branches should feel slightly supple but should crack and break when bent over.

Stripping the bottom one-third of the leaves from each Brugmansia cutting helps the segment conserve energy necessary for forming new root growth. A dip in rooting hormone also encourages the formation of healthy roots. To root the cuttings, insert the lower one-fourth to one-third of each cut branch into loose, loamy potting soil and keep it slightly moist for four to six weeks. Then transplant the cutting to its permanent location in the landscape. "Miner's Claim" prefers a sunny location in cooler climates within its hardiness zones and slightly shaded or filtered conditions in warmer climate zones.