Hi all, (and especially Patrick, since he lives the closest; or Tom) My original brug, the NOID Pink, I have overwintered in the basement for 2 winters, I trim it back, and water it occasionally, and it comes back each spring and blooms for me.
However, the rest of my brugs are smaller, in 1 and 5(?) gal containers, and have grown leaves, and are maybe 3 feet tall, but have never bloomed. Lat winter I put them in a room and watered them weekly, or when they seemed dry; and had aphids on them, and lost some. Why, I do not know.
What should/can I do this winter. Should I repot them before bringing them inside? They seem too small to put in the basement and water only occasionally. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Selma

Hiya Selma!
One key is to keep them as cool as possible (but not freezing of course). You'll get less leggy winter growth and less bugs. Another thing is to see if there is some way to slightly raise the humidity where you keep them, they just don't like it indoors. Sometimes leaving a window cracked in their basement room can do both of these.
If they are younger plants, high light with short photoperiods may help a little, but is not absolutely neccessary.
Another thing that will keep the spider mites down is to mist the leaves once every week or two, including the undersides and trunks.
If you haven't already stopped fertilizing, do stop now. Aphids love that leggy, low-light, high-fertilizer growth that you can get in the winter. And for goodness sake be careful not to overwater. That makes weaker, softer growth on weaker overall plants that aphids just love.
For the smaller plants, you can get a couple $8 shop lights at home depot and adjust them down to within inches of the top of the plants. You want harder, firmer, slower growth for those in the winter.
I know many others have resorted to using pesticides, especially in the fall before they're brought in. I never have before, but this year I have so many to cram in such a small space that I may cave and try the Bayer Systemic Tree & Shrub liquid drench before I bring them in.

Tom H.
Marysville, WA Zone 8a

Here is a useful link on over-Wintering Brugmansia:

http://www.abads.net/winter/brugmansia_winter.html

There is additional info at the bottom half of the page.

Time to bring in my Burg and Datura

-
Cheers,Bob

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a
Lexington,Ky.
It's Autumn!

Hi Selma, don't repot them now...wait till Spring.
They aren't too small to put to sleep in basement.
I too have a problem with aphids. They almost took a large brug down this summer! I either hose them off w/ some water pressure, or spray leaves & branch tips with hot tap water & dish soap (dawn is good)- or both. Works every time & it's safe. Now, if I can keep them under control in crowded sunroom this winter!
For smaller plants w/apids, I put pot in K. sink or shower & spray the leaves.

Patty
Milwaukee, Wi
zone 5

I will have several brugs in my guest room over winter, as my garage overfloweth this year. I will watch them closely for aphids and/or spider mites. That room stays cool, but before winter is over I'm almost certain to have an outbreak of 1

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place