May 2011 Archives
May 30, 2011
This new double yellow Angel Trumpet will "wow" you
My Angel Trumpet seedlings have rewarded me with a bunch of promising yellow/orange blooms this year. Out of the entire lot, this one stands out above the rest. It is a seedling from a cross involving Brugmansia Day Dreams x Ludger's Windsong.
Often yellow brugmansia blooms take on some orange coloration as they age, but not this one. This seedling stays yellow from start to finish.
The blooms are medium in size and long lasting, even in our Florida heat.
So far it has been a great bloomer. During its most recent flush a couple of weeks ago, the 3-gallon size plant displayed more than a dozen blooms.
I'm sure you want to know about fragrance, but that is something I cannot answer right now because my sense of scent is still messed up.
This Angel Trumpet has been throwing both double and triple blooms. Because the blooms are so fluffy, even the double blooms appear to be triples.
I just moved this seedling up to a 7 gallon pot and placed it in my watch zone. You can be certain this is one I'll be watching with excitement this summer.
Often yellow brugmansia blooms take on some orange coloration as they age, but not this one. This seedling stays yellow from start to finish.The blooms are medium in size and long lasting, even in our Florida heat. So far it has been a great bloomer. During its most recent flush a couple of weeks ago, the 3-gallon size plant displayed more than a dozen blooms.I'm sure you want to know about fragrance, but that is something I cannot answer right now because my sense of scent is still messed up. This Angel Trumpet has been throwing both double and triple blooms. Because the blooms are so fluffy, even the double blooms appear to be triples.I just moved this seedling up to a 7 gallon pot and placed it in my watch zone. You can be certain this is one I'll be watching with excitement this summer.May 29, 2011
A variegated surprise amongst my Angel Trumpets
I'm always on the lookout for anomalies in my Angel Trumpet seedlings, especially in growth habits and foliage. Last week I spotted this unusual variegation in a Brugmansia Dark Rosetta x Super Pink seedling.
This seedling has three stalks and the variegation only appears on one. The variegation pattern is unusual and is similar to that of Brugmansia 'Freckles'. Only time will tell if this variegation pattern will be permanent or if it is just a temporary display triggered by environmental conditions.
I plan to place this one into my watch zone so I can keep an eye on it this summer.
This seedling has three stalks and the variegation only appears on one. The variegation pattern is unusual and is similar to that of Brugmansia 'Freckles'. Only time will tell if this variegation pattern will be permanent or if it is just a temporary display triggered by environmental conditions.I plan to place this one into my watch zone so I can keep an eye on it this summer.May 28, 2011
A bug on a brug
I'm not sure what role this colorful, yet menacing looking creature plays in the insect food chain. It does not look like the type of insect that wants to munch on my plants so I let it be. I'm certain it is more interested in other bugs that may be harming my Angel Trumpets.
It looks as if it has staked claim to this brugmansia leaf and will do whatever it takes to protect its turf. I did not notice a stinger so that is a good sign that I may never be a victim.
It looks as if it has staked claim to this brugmansia leaf and will do whatever it takes to protect its turf. I did not notice a stinger so that is a good sign that I may never be a victim. May 27, 2011
An Angel Trumpet merged with a citrus tree
This beautiful Angel Trumpet seedling is also a carry over from last year. It is the result of a cross I made between Brugmansia seedling (Jacayna x The Chief) #5 x Brugmansia America.
Don't be confused by the citrus like foliage and what appears to be green fruit hanging nearby. While I wish my hybridizing skills would allow me to cross a Brugmansia with citrus tree, this navel tree is just acting as a support structure for an overgrown plant in queue to be re-potted.
So far all the blooms have had triple corolla skirts and have remained medium in size. It is not a shy bloomer and performs well in the heat.
This seedling will be bumped up to a 7 gallon pot this weekend and placed in my watch zone for the summer.
Don't be confused by the citrus like foliage and what appears to be green fruit hanging nearby. While I wish my hybridizing skills would allow me to cross a Brugmansia with citrus tree, this navel tree is just acting as a support structure for an overgrown plant in queue to be re-potted. So far all the blooms have had triple corolla skirts and have remained medium in size. It is not a shy bloomer and performs well in the heat.
This seedling will be bumped up to a 7 gallon pot this weekend and placed in my watch zone for the summer. May 25, 2011
Mr. Toad eyes a mid-afternoon snack
It looks like this toad has a choice of snacks, two juicy snails. Snails are a major pest problem for me each summer and it just so happens that toads love to eat snails.
I sure wish I could clone these guys!
I sure wish I could clone these guys!May 24, 2011
Another impressive Golden Angel Trumpet seedling
Here's another golden Angel Trumpet from last year's watch zone that recently bloomed.
I can't tell you the name of the cross this Brugmansia seedling came from right now because the plant tag is missing, but with a little photo research I know I'll be able to identify it. The fact that it was placed in my watch zone means I have photos of it in my archive.
The blooms are actually more yellow than the picture shows and are on the larger size. They have great form and substance and hold up well in the heat. This seedling is well on its way to earning keeper status.
I really like this one!
I can't tell you the name of the cross this Brugmansia seedling came from right now because the plant tag is missing, but with a little photo research I know I'll be able to identify it. The fact that it was placed in my watch zone means I have photos of it in my archive.The blooms are actually more yellow than the picture shows and are on the larger size. They have great form and substance and hold up well in the heat. This seedling is well on its way to earning keeper status.
I really like this one!May 21, 2011
Angel Trumpet Brugmansia Rubirosa x Ludger's Windsong
This new angel trumpet seedling recently produced an impressive display of blooms. It is from a cross I made between Brugmansia 'Rubirosa' x 'Ludger's Windsong'.
As you can see it has it's father's style including Ludger's Windsong's crazy corolla teeth.
At first I thought the blooms were going to stay snow white, but after a couple of days of aging they picked up a slight apricot color. Seeing how this was the first flush for this seedling, the final color is likely to change as the seedling matures. It will be interesting to see what the color does this summer.
I think this one is worth watching for a few more seasons.
As you can see it has it's father's style including Ludger's Windsong's crazy corolla teeth.At first I thought the blooms were going to stay snow white, but after a couple of days of aging they picked up a slight apricot color. Seeing how this was the first flush for this seedling, the final color is likely to change as the seedling matures. It will be interesting to see what the color does this summer. I think this one is worth watching for a few more seasons.May 18, 2011
A rain catching Angel Trumpet
A couple of weeks ago I featured a nice double pink Angel Trumpet from a cross I made involving Brugmansia Cherub x (Pink Smitty x Miss Ellie #1). Here's another promising seedling from that same cross.
The blooms are the same soft pink color as the other seedling and are thick in texture. Like its mother, this seedling loves our Florida weather.
As you can see this seedling likes to display its blooms in an upward position. This may be a desirable trait for a potted plant but I'm not sure it will work well when the plant is grown outside during our summer rainy season. The blooms did not fill with water from my overhead irrigation system so perhaps our daily summer rains will not be a problem.
During its most recent bloom cycle the blooms started out reaching upwards and then matured to a 45 degree angle. This seedling has the most vertical blooms of any seeding I have grown.
The blooms are the same soft pink color as the other seedling and are thick in texture. Like its mother, this seedling loves our Florida weather.As you can see this seedling likes to display its blooms in an upward position. This may be a desirable trait for a potted plant but I'm not sure it will work well when the plant is grown outside during our summer rainy season. The blooms did not fill with water from my overhead irrigation system so perhaps our daily summer rains will not be a problem.During its most recent bloom cycle the blooms started out reaching upwards and then matured to a 45 degree angle. This seedling has the most vertical blooms of any seeding I have grown.
This one will be in my watch zone for the summer and then I'll decide what to do with it this fall.
May 15, 2011
A golden Angel Trumpet gets closer to being a keeper
I have several seedlings from a cross I made between Brugmansia Ludger's Windsong and (Color Point x Double Dark Rosetta) that have made it into my watch zone last year. Here is seedling #5, one that is getting closer to earning keeper status.
As you can see Ludger's Windsong had a strong influence on this seedling with its similar coloration and wild corolla teeth.
I'm really liking the looks of this one and anxious to see how it performs during our sauna like summer.
As you can see Ludger's Windsong had a strong influence on this seedling with its similar coloration and wild corolla teeth. I'm really liking the looks of this one and anxious to see how it performs during our sauna like summer.May 12, 2011
This Angel Trumpet is a keeper for sure!
Here's one of my favorite double pink Angel Trumpets I have growing in my watch zone. It is from a cross between Brugmansia Butterfly x (Terri Shiavo x Earth Angel).
I have been watching this Angel Trumpet seedling perform for over two years and now it is time to set if free. Once i dream up a suitable name for it I plan to officially register and release it.
The blooms are large and full and hold up extremely well here in the Florida heat. Like many pink brugmansia, the color deepens considerably in the warmer summer months.
Another great trait this seedling has is that the blooms always have great form.
With such great parentage I was hoping to incorporate it into my breeding program but so far I have not had much luck setting pods on this one. Perhaps I just have not found the right match. I'll be ready to try again this fall when the weather cools.
I have been watching this Angel Trumpet seedling perform for over two years and now it is time to set if free. Once i dream up a suitable name for it I plan to officially register and release it.The blooms are large and full and hold up extremely well here in the Florida heat. Like many pink brugmansia, the color deepens considerably in the warmer summer months.Another great trait this seedling has is that the blooms always have great form. With such great parentage I was hoping to incorporate it into my breeding program but so far I have not had much luck setting pods on this one. Perhaps I just have not found the right match. I'll be ready to try again this fall when the weather cools.Brugmansia Pink Smitty with a Lemon Twist
Angel Trumpet Lemon Twist has a rather unique Aurea style bloom that enticed me to use it in a bunch of crosses back in 2009. Here is the results from one of those crosses, Brugmansia 'Lemon Twist' x 'Pink Smitty'.
Like its mother, this seedling has waxy, horizontal style blooms. As you can see by the photos, the blooms are a very soft pink with just a hint of yellow. It will be interesting to see how the color develops over the next couple of bloom cycles.
I have a few more seedlings from this cross that have yet to bloom. I'm still hoping one may be a double yellow, Aurea style bloom.
Like its mother, this seedling has waxy, horizontal style blooms. As you can see by the photos, the blooms are a very soft pink with just a hint of yellow. It will be interesting to see how the color develops over the next couple of bloom cycles.I have a few more seedlings from this cross that have yet to bloom. I'm still hoping one may be a double yellow, Aurea style bloom.May 11, 2011
Brugmansia Angels Exotic fathers another one to watch
My 2009 cross involving Brugmansia 'Butterfly' x 'Angels Exotic' has yielded quite a few watchers so far. Here's another seedling from that cross that made it into my watch zone.
This Angel Trumpet seedling has a strong resemblance to its father, Angels Exotic. The one thing that stands out if you compare the two is the white inside this seedling's inner corolla tube.
The ruffled corolla skirt and crazy corolla teeth add to the unique look of this seedling. The blooms are large in size and held up well in the heat. Even with my challenged sense if smell, I detected a nice fragrance.
I still have many more seedlings from my Brugmansia 'Butterfly' x 'Angels Exotic' cross yet to bloom so stay tuned to see the results of the more promising ones when they bloom.
This Angel Trumpet seedling has a strong resemblance to its father, Angels Exotic. The one thing that stands out if you compare the two is the white inside this seedling's inner corolla tube. The ruffled corolla skirt and crazy corolla teeth add to the unique look of this seedling. The blooms are large in size and held up well in the heat. Even with my challenged sense if smell, I detected a nice fragrance.I still have many more seedlings from my Brugmansia 'Butterfly' x 'Angels Exotic' cross yet to bloom so stay tuned to see the results of the more promising ones when they bloom.May 10, 2011
A tree frog stakes claim on an Angel Trumpet
Despite a major contrast in colors, this friendly tree frog makes himself at home on the large blooms of Brugmansia 'Xena'.
I'm starting to see a resurgence in caterpillars munching on my blooms and foliage so this guy is a welcome sight.
I'm starting to see a resurgence in caterpillars munching on my blooms and foliage so this guy is a welcome sight.May 9, 2011
Brugmansia 'Lizzy' x 'Orange Zest' produces a charmer
My real job in the event business has been keeping me super busy the past couple of weeks so I'm behind on recognizing many of the great seedlings that bloomed for the first time last month. Here is an angel trumpet that I think will be worth watching as it matures. This seedling is from a cross involving Brugmansia 'Lizzy' x 'Orange Zest'.
The blooms are medium in size and held up well in the recent hot spell we had. Even with my rather challenged sense of smell I could tell this seedling one had a nice fragrance.
Both of its parents have a common father, 'The Chief'. Hopefully the one trait that did 'The Chief' in, its susceptibility to fungal problems, will not surface in this promising seedling.
The blooms are medium in size and held up well in the recent hot spell we had. Even with my rather challenged sense of smell I could tell this seedling one had a nice fragrance.Both of its parents have a common father, 'The Chief'. Hopefully the one trait that did 'The Chief' in, its susceptibility to fungal problems, will not surface in this promising seedling. May 5, 2011
Brugmansia Cherub continues to influence her offspring
Here is another offspring from the many crosses I made with Brugmansia 'Cherub'. This angel trumpet seedling is from a cross of Brumansia 'Cherub' x (Pink Smitty x Miss Ellie) #1.
The picture above was taken on day one before it was fully open. As you have most likely guessed, this bloom was sliced open after I shot these photos so it could be pollinated. :) The bloom did open up to a very nice full double. The blooms on this seedling are medium in size and remain the soft pink color pictured above.
The father of this seedling, Brugmansia Pink Smitty x Miss Ellie #1 (pictured below) is a nice double white I plan to register and release this summer.
This was one of the first seedlings I placed in my watch zone back in 2008 and it has been a super performer the entire time. I'm still trying to get Miss Ellie's great yellow coloration into this style of bloom. So far I have not had any luck, but last week week both Miss Ellie and this seedling were in full flush so plenty of blooms from both plants were dusted with each others pollen. I'll know in a couple of weeks if any of those crosses took.
The picture above was taken on day one before it was fully open. As you have most likely guessed, this bloom was sliced open after I shot these photos so it could be pollinated. :) The bloom did open up to a very nice full double. The blooms on this seedling are medium in size and remain the soft pink color pictured above.The father of this seedling, Brugmansia Pink Smitty x Miss Ellie #1 (pictured below) is a nice double white I plan to register and release this summer.
This was one of the first seedlings I placed in my watch zone back in 2008 and it has been a super performer the entire time. I'm still trying to get Miss Ellie's great yellow coloration into this style of bloom. So far I have not had any luck, but last week week both Miss Ellie and this seedling were in full flush so plenty of blooms from both plants were dusted with each others pollen. I'll know in a couple of weeks if any of those crosses took.May 1, 2011
Brugmansia Cherub meets Orange Parfait
If you like your Angel Trumpets to have a light salmon color with great form, than you will like this seedling. It is from a cross involving Brugmansia 'Cherub' x 'Orange Parfait'.
Brugmansia 'Cherub' is a super performer here in Florida. It remains relatively bug free and forms a nice bloom canopy. I used 'Cherub' in lots of crosses back in 2009 because of those qualities.
Brugmansia 'Orange Parfait' is a recent introduction of Sommer Gardens that is a real winner. It has masses of blooms that slowly change from white to a creamy orange.
I'm not sure what I'll do with this one, but I'll keep watch over it during the summer to see how it performs in our sauna like weather. I'm also curious to see if the color deepens this summer.
Brugmansia 'Cherub' is a super performer here in Florida. It remains relatively bug free and forms a nice bloom canopy. I used 'Cherub' in lots of crosses back in 2009 because of those qualities.Brugmansia 'Orange Parfait' is a recent introduction of Sommer Gardens that is a real winner. It has masses of blooms that slowly change from white to a creamy orange.
I'm not sure what I'll do with this one, but I'll keep watch over it during the summer to see how it performs in our sauna like weather. I'm also curious to see if the color deepens this summer. 