December 2011 Archives
December 31, 2011
Brugmansia Inca Sun x Angel's Goldface
I really like the simple bloom form found in this first time bloom from a cross I made between Brugmansia Inca Sun x Angel's Goldface.
I'm hoping that Inca Sun's ever-blooming characteristics have been passed on to this seedling. This new seedling is only two feet tall and is less than 9 months old! That's a very good sign that this cultivar may be on its way to become a bloomaholic.
This seedling is tagged number 20 out of about 30 seedlings I'm growing out from this cross. When I made the cross I was hoping to create a dwarf, ever-blooming plant with a double bloom similar to that of Brugmansia Angel's Goldface. Even though Angel's Goldface has petite blooms, the plant itself easily grows to 6 feet tall or larger.
I noticed buds forming on a couple of other seedlings from this cross so I'm hoping each will be as impressive as this first bloom was.
I'm hoping that Inca Sun's ever-blooming characteristics have been passed on to this seedling. This new seedling is only two feet tall and is less than 9 months old! That's a very good sign that this cultivar may be on its way to become a bloomaholic.This seedling is tagged number 20 out of about 30 seedlings I'm growing out from this cross. When I made the cross I was hoping to create a dwarf, ever-blooming plant with a double bloom similar to that of Brugmansia Angel's Goldface. Even though Angel's Goldface has petite blooms, the plant itself easily grows to 6 feet tall or larger.I noticed buds forming on a couple of other seedlings from this cross so I'm hoping each will be as impressive as this first bloom was.December 29, 2011
Angel Trumpet 'Butterfly' inherits an exotic look
Angel Trumpet 'Angel's Exotic' casts its exotic look into this seedling from a cross I made between Brugmansia Butterfly x Angel's Exotic.
This cross has already produced several keepers, each with a unique and different look.This seedling, labeled #7, also has a rather unusual look to it that is different from most commonly available multi-skirted pink brugmansia.
As you can see the bloom color starts out a light pink and during the course of a couple days slowly matures to a dark pink color.
When the blooms are fully mature, they take on a compacted look as shown in the photo above.
This seedling will join several of its siblings in my watch zone for 2012.
This cross has already produced several keepers, each with a unique and different look.This seedling, labeled #7, also has a rather unusual look to it that is different from most commonly available multi-skirted pink brugmansia.As you can see the bloom color starts out a light pink and during the course of a couple days slowly matures to a dark pink color. When the blooms are fully mature, they take on a compacted look as shown in the photo above.This seedling will join several of its siblings in my watch zone for 2012.December 27, 2011
A golden Angel Trumpet illuminated the Christmas Eve sky
On Christmas Eve I was greeted with this bright golden orange Angel Trumpet seedling. It is seedling #15 from a cross I made between Brugmansia Cassies Curls and (Ludger's Windsong x Creamsicle).
All three blooms that opened at the same time all had the workings of a second corolla skirt stuffed up inside the bloom. This means the next set of blooms could actually turn-out to be doubles! Then again, they could easily just look the same as the first set of blooms.
The medium size blooms are thick in texture and the color is very rich. I like the way the golden color went all the way up the corolla tube. It is definitely a seedling worth holding back to watch for a few more flushes. It will now join several of its siblings in my watch zone for 2012.
All three blooms that opened at the same time all had the workings of a second corolla skirt stuffed up inside the bloom. This means the next set of blooms could actually turn-out to be doubles! Then again, they could easily just look the same as the first set of blooms.The medium size blooms are thick in texture and the color is very rich. I like the way the golden color went all the way up the corolla tube. It is definitely a seedling worth holding back to watch for a few more flushes. It will now join several of its siblings in my watch zone for 2012.I could not resist and already went ahead and pollinated these blooms. :)
December 26, 2011
Christmas presents for my brugmansia
My Angel Trumpets will have a nice surprise soon when they are covered with a new shadehouse I'm building with the help of friends during the Christmas Holidays. When completed there will be just under 9,000 sq ft of growing space under the cover of shade cloth. During the winter growing season a layer of clear poly will add additional protection should we have sub-freezing weather.
The toughest part of the construction project was sinking 80 sixteen foot 4x4's amongst my brugmansia. Our current muggy, summer-like weather made the job even more challenging.
Unfortunately I could not match the footprint of the new shadehouse to the current footprint of my existing growing area, so lots of plants had to be relocated to make room for the rows of 4x4's. Below you can see a bed of large brugmansia seedlings that had to be divided in order to set the row of 4x4s.
Even my larger stock plants, which are allowed to root themselves in the ground, had to be yanked up and relocated.
Because my growing area has a slight slope to it, the height of the roof ranges from 10ft to 13ft. This will allow me to place even the largest brugs in my collection under shade. I went with a 30% shade cloth to allow as much light as possible in during the winter, yet protect and cool my plants in the heat of summer. The shadehouse will be totally enclosed which should make it easier to keep the pests under control, especially the caterpillars.
The toughest part of the construction project was sinking 80 sixteen foot 4x4's amongst my brugmansia. Our current muggy, summer-like weather made the job even more challenging.Unfortunately I could not match the footprint of the new shadehouse to the current footprint of my existing growing area, so lots of plants had to be relocated to make room for the rows of 4x4's. Below you can see a bed of large brugmansia seedlings that had to be divided in order to set the row of 4x4s.Even my larger stock plants, which are allowed to root themselves in the ground, had to be yanked up and relocated. Because my growing area has a slight slope to it, the height of the roof ranges from 10ft to 13ft. This will allow me to place even the largest brugs in my collection under shade. I went with a 30% shade cloth to allow as much light as possible in during the winter, yet protect and cool my plants in the heat of summer. The shadehouse will be totally enclosed which should make it easier to keep the pests under control, especially the caterpillars. With the support poles in place we are now starting to frame the top and sides of the structure so the shade cloth and poly film can be easily affixed. We hope to have the framing completed by mid-week. The shade cloth is being custom sewn and will not arrive until next week. Luckily we are experiencing above normal temperatures so i do not have to worry about cold weather for at least the next two weeks. Meanwhile I'll still have plenty to do New Year's weekend as I redesign the existing sprinkler system to fit the shadehouse and rearrange the thousands of brugmansia plants that will be under cover..
The second present is is an 80ft x 24ft greenhouse that should arrive here as a kit in 10 days. It will be used to start young seedlings and for growing inventory for my online store at SommerGardens.com. It will not take me long to fill the greenhouse up as I have over 100 trays of rooted brugmansia cuttings waiting to be potted up.
After suffering through major setbacks and plant losses in 2009 and 2010 as the result of our record setting freezes, I'm totally psyched knowing that I will soon have over 10,000 sq ft of covering to protect my brugmansia. 2012 is going to be a great year in the world of Brugmansia!
The second present is is an 80ft x 24ft greenhouse that should arrive here as a kit in 10 days. It will be used to start young seedlings and for growing inventory for my online store at SommerGardens.com. It will not take me long to fill the greenhouse up as I have over 100 trays of rooted brugmansia cuttings waiting to be potted up.
After suffering through major setbacks and plant losses in 2009 and 2010 as the result of our record setting freezes, I'm totally psyched knowing that I will soon have over 10,000 sq ft of covering to protect my brugmansia. 2012 is going to be a great year in the world of Brugmansia!
December 19, 2011
Part Angel Trumpet, part octopus...just kidding of course.
This striking new Angel Trumpet seedling has flailing corolla teeth that resemble an octopus or spider. The cross is one I made between Brugmansia Bert and Angel's Exotic.
As the bloom matured the color deepened even more than what is shown in these pictures. I know where the wild corolla teeth came from, its father, Angel's Exotic. I sure whish my sense of smell was better because I would love to know if this bloom was fragrant or not.
I decided to keep this one in my watch zone for 2012.
As the bloom matured the color deepened even more than what is shown in these pictures. I know where the wild corolla teeth came from, its father, Angel's Exotic. I sure whish my sense of smell was better because I would love to know if this bloom was fragrant or not.I decided to keep this one in my watch zone for 2012.December 16, 2011
Brugmansia Cherub meets Orange Parfait, yum!
Another golden orange Angel Trumpet seedling I decided to place in my watch zone was this nice one resulting from a cross I made between Brugmansia Cherub and Orange Parfait.
Cherub is one of the most durable brugs available so I made numerous crosses with it in hopes of passing on its genes for pest resistance and quality growth characteristics. It also performs well in containers, another trait I'm hoping its genes pass on.
Orange Parfait is a recent Sommer Gardens introduction that is very floriferous and thrives here in Florida. It has large blooms that start out cream and age to orange. As a result, the blooms appear to be multicolored because you have blooms of various colors, from cream to orange, on the plant at the same time.
I like the ruffled corolla edges and twisty corolla teeth found on the blooms. The blooms also have great substance which should make them more heat resistant. I'm anxious to see the overall look of this plant as it matures.
Cherub is one of the most durable brugs available so I made numerous crosses with it in hopes of passing on its genes for pest resistance and quality growth characteristics. It also performs well in containers, another trait I'm hoping its genes pass on. Orange Parfait is a recent Sommer Gardens introduction that is very floriferous and thrives here in Florida. It has large blooms that start out cream and age to orange. As a result, the blooms appear to be multicolored because you have blooms of various colors, from cream to orange, on the plant at the same time.
I like the ruffled corolla edges and twisty corolla teeth found on the blooms. The blooms also have great substance which should make them more heat resistant. I'm anxious to see the overall look of this plant as it matures.December 15, 2011
A trio of Orange Hibiscus
With our fall weather lingering on, my brugmansia are not the only flowering plants that are loving life right now. The exotic hibiscus have perked up and are showing off their beautiful blooms. Here is a trio of orange hibiscus that I added to my collection this summer. The first is Hibiscus Liberated Lady.
Hibiscus Salty Dog, pictured below, certainly has alot going on with its blooms.
The jumbo sized Orange Slush hibiscus is real eye catcher.
I've been so busy pollinating my brugmansia that I completely forgot to ramp up my exotic hibiscus hybridizing program. That will change starting tomorrow when I expect to see a bunch of new blooms open.
Hibiscus Salty Dog, pictured below, certainly has alot going on with its blooms.The jumbo sized Orange Slush hibiscus is real eye catcher.I've been so busy pollinating my brugmansia that I completely forgot to ramp up my exotic hibiscus hybridizing program. That will change starting tomorrow when I expect to see a bunch of new blooms open.December 10, 2011
Brugmansia Daydreams x Ludger's Windsong revisited
Now that our nights have cooled most of my Angel Trumpets have switched into bloom mode. One that has certainly raised the bar in my hybridizing program is this Brugmansia Daydreams x Ludger's Windsong seedling.
It is now in its second year of trialing and it just keeps getting better and better. It survived our hot and steamy Florida Summer without a problem and it is especially loving our current weather.
In warmer weather the blooms stay lemon yellow but when the weather cools they slowly mature to a cantaloupe orange.
I plan to officially name and register this Brugmansia seedling with the International Brugmansia & Datura Society in early 2012 and then make it available at SommerGardens.com later that same year.
Whenever I encounter a promising new seedling like this one I always put hybridizing ahead of propagating. I recently made a bunch of crosses with this seedling and it looks like they are going to take. Once I harvest the seed pods in spring I'll quickly place this beaut into production mode.
This is just one of several nice multi-skirted yellow/orange Brugmansia cultivars that I will be introducing in 2012.
It is now in its second year of trialing and it just keeps getting better and better. It survived our hot and steamy Florida Summer without a problem and it is especially loving our current weather.In warmer weather the blooms stay lemon yellow but when the weather cools they slowly mature to a cantaloupe orange. I plan to officially name and register this Brugmansia seedling with the International Brugmansia & Datura Society in early 2012 and then make it available at SommerGardens.com later that same year.Whenever I encounter a promising new seedling like this one I always put hybridizing ahead of propagating. I recently made a bunch of crosses with this seedling and it looks like they are going to take. Once I harvest the seed pods in spring I'll quickly place this beaut into production mode.This is just one of several nice multi-skirted yellow/orange Brugmansia cultivars that I will be introducing in 2012. December 9, 2011
An elegant new Angel Trumpet seedling
One of the more elegant double white Angel Trumpet seedlings I encountered this season was this one from a cross I made between Brugmansia Sweetheart and (Miss Caylie x Genevieve 7).
The bloom on this cross is much larger than Brugmansia Sweetheart and has the flouncy look found in its father, Brugmansia Miss Caylie x Genevieve. Despite our recent cool spell, the blooms remained white through their life span. I plan on carrying this one over to 2012 for sure!
The bloom on this cross is much larger than Brugmansia Sweetheart and has the flouncy look found in its father, Brugmansia Miss Caylie x Genevieve. Despite our recent cool spell, the blooms remained white through their life span. I plan on carrying this one over to 2012 for sure!December 8, 2011
Brugmansia Angel's Swingtime x Terri Schindler Shiavo
Another double orange Angel Trumpet has made it into my watch zone. This time it is a seedling from a cross I made between Brugmansia Angel's Swingtime and Terri Schindler Shiavo.
I've been using Brugmansia Terri Schindler Shiavo as either a pod or pollen parent in many crosses recently. I noticed it appears to pass on some strong orange color genes and tends to help produce multi-skirt seedlings as well.
This blooms on this cross stood out because of the long and narrow corolla tubes. While the blooms are long, the bloom face is rather small in comparison
The first set of blooms were all triples. It is coming back into bud now so hopefully I'll be enjoying the next set of blooms over the Christmas holidays.
I've been using Brugmansia Terri Schindler Shiavo as either a pod or pollen parent in many crosses recently. I noticed it appears to pass on some strong orange color genes and tends to help produce multi-skirt seedlings as well.
This blooms on this cross stood out because of the long and narrow corolla tubes. While the blooms are long, the bloom face is rather small in comparisonThe first set of blooms were all triples. It is coming back into bud now so hopefully I'll be enjoying the next set of blooms over the Christmas holidays. December 5, 2011
A new golden Angel Trumpet illuminates the midnight sky
I've had so many yellow/orange seedlings bloom this fall that it is really going to be a challenge to decide which ones are worthy of keeping. Here is one I just placed in my watch zone. It is from a cross I made between Brugmansia Angel's Moonlight and Bert.
Here in Florida I feel it is very important to grow out any promising yellow/orange Angel Trumpet seedlings for at least a year before deciding if they are worthy of keeping. Yellow and Orange cultivars are more susceptible to fungal problems and our extremely hot and muggy summers tend to amplify the problem. As with many hybridizers, disease and pest resistance in Brugmansia is one of my major hybridizing goals. I am quick toss seedlings that are not resistant to pests and diseases.
Another common trait with yellow and orange Brugmansia is that the color deepens in cooler weather and as the bloom matures. Some may appear golden yellow in the summer months only to turn more orange when the weather cools. So far I have only come across a few new seedlings that have had lemon yellow blooms that stayed yellow from start to finish, and through multiple seasons.
Here in Florida I feel it is very important to grow out any promising yellow/orange Angel Trumpet seedlings for at least a year before deciding if they are worthy of keeping. Yellow and Orange cultivars are more susceptible to fungal problems and our extremely hot and muggy summers tend to amplify the problem. As with many hybridizers, disease and pest resistance in Brugmansia is one of my major hybridizing goals. I am quick toss seedlings that are not resistant to pests and diseases.Another common trait with yellow and orange Brugmansia is that the color deepens in cooler weather and as the bloom matures. Some may appear golden yellow in the summer months only to turn more orange when the weather cools. So far I have only come across a few new seedlings that have had lemon yellow blooms that stayed yellow from start to finish, and through multiple seasons.December 3, 2011
Iochroma Wine Red
Another one of my Iochromas that is blooming now is Iochroma Wine Red. Looking at the photo you can certainly see where the name came from. :)
Iochromas are very easy to grow here in Central Florida, thriving in partial shade to full sun. A hard freeze will take them to the ground, but they quickly rebound when spring rolls around. They are almost an everbloomer, blooming on and off all year round.
Iochromas are very easy to grow here in Central Florida, thriving in partial shade to full sun. A hard freeze will take them to the ground, but they quickly rebound when spring rolls around. They are almost an everbloomer, blooming on and off all year round.December 2, 2011
Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset shows its fall colors
Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset is showing off its fall coloring now that the weather has cooled.
Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset is an Angel Trumpet I recently named and registered. It was grown out from a Brenda Delph cross involving New Orleans Lady x (Angel's Flight x Charming).
Here in Florida Marshmallow Sunset stays cream colored during the warmer months. From November through April the blooms are fringed with an apricot orange color. It was this unique coloration that inspired me to name the seedling Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset.
I plan to release this new Angel Trumpet cultivar to plant enthusiasts in early 2012 when my online store opens. I am currently finishing off about 150 4" pots of Marshmallow Sunset with more cuttings being rooted for summer availability.
I have made lots of crosses with Marshmallow Sunset both as pod parent and as a pollen parent. Many of those seedlings are maturing and will bloom for the first time in 2012. I have great expectations for many of those crosses.
Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset is an Angel Trumpet I recently named and registered. It was grown out from a Brenda Delph cross involving New Orleans Lady x (Angel's Flight x Charming).Here in Florida Marshmallow Sunset stays cream colored during the warmer months. From November through April the blooms are fringed with an apricot orange color. It was this unique coloration that inspired me to name the seedling Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset.I plan to release this new Angel Trumpet cultivar to plant enthusiasts in early 2012 when my online store opens. I am currently finishing off about 150 4" pots of Marshmallow Sunset with more cuttings being rooted for summer availability.I have made lots of crosses with Marshmallow Sunset both as pod parent and as a pollen parent. Many of those seedlings are maturing and will bloom for the first time in 2012. I have great expectations for many of those crosses.December 1, 2011
Wow, a giant 8 point golden Angel Trumpet!
With cooler weather settling in, more and more of my Angel Trumpet seedlings are blooming for the first time. Every couple of days I come across one that just wows me. Here's one that really caught my eye this week. It is from a cross I made between Brugmansia Jazzy and Brugmansia America.
What is really cool about these blooms is that both have eight points (corolla teeth). Normally a corolla skirt will have five teeth, and sometimes 6. Having 8 teeth on both open blooms is rather unusual.
I was hoping the blooms would open more, but I think this is as wide as they are going to open right now. It could be because I harvested the pollen out of the blooms and then pollinated both with Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset before the blooms started to open. I have noticed that sometimes when you pollinate a bloom early and harvest its pollen, the bloom never opens as full as it would it you lefty it untouched.
I've already used up the pollen from these blooms to pollinate several doubles including Brugmansia Samba Dancer, Sweet Fantasie, and Marshmallow Sunset.
The blooms themselves were still giants and I think they may be the largest single blooms I have encountered on a new seedling.
Now the waiting game begins to see if the cross takes and to see if subsequent blooms also have 8 corolla teeth. I hope the next batch of blooms open fully so I can see how wide the blooms become.
This one will be a watcher for sure!
What is really cool about these blooms is that both have eight points (corolla teeth). Normally a corolla skirt will have five teeth, and sometimes 6. Having 8 teeth on both open blooms is rather unusual.I was hoping the blooms would open more, but I think this is as wide as they are going to open right now. It could be because I harvested the pollen out of the blooms and then pollinated both with Brugmansia Marshmallow Sunset before the blooms started to open. I have noticed that sometimes when you pollinate a bloom early and harvest its pollen, the bloom never opens as full as it would it you lefty it untouched.I've already used up the pollen from these blooms to pollinate several doubles including Brugmansia Samba Dancer, Sweet Fantasie, and Marshmallow Sunset.
The blooms themselves were still giants and I think they may be the largest single blooms I have encountered on a new seedling.Now the waiting game begins to see if the cross takes and to see if subsequent blooms also have 8 corolla teeth. I hope the next batch of blooms open fully so I can see how wide the blooms become.This one will be a watcher for sure!
