Calhoun County, AL – There is no green thumb skill associated with rooting Angel Trumpet cuttings. I grow 9 feet tall Angel Trumpets, gifted to me by 3 generational root stock. Once the older roots were dug up and transplanted, they take care of themselves. They die back in winter, return in the Spring. Several types of Angel Trumpet choices allow the grower to select dwarf species also. I cut the 9-foot stalks into 12-15-inch cuttings. I use old-fashioned Mason Jars. I change the water weekly during the cold winter, indoors. Keep the jars near a sunny window. By Spring, the jars are loaded with roots to plant in pots or in the ground. Some of the rooted cuttings in the jars will lose leaves, but they will rebound once planted. These stalks are nice to give to others. If you desire unusual bouquets, add a few blooms from your Angel Trumpets to be an outstanding vertical eye candy. However, the blooms are only lovely for 24 hours in these bouquets. I keep the ground watered deeply once a week during the hot summer. My Angel Trumpets bloom later in the summer, until frost. If I see ants favoring them, I powder with diatomaceous earth (use when you have 3 days of no rain). If your soil quality is not rich, add weekly Fish Fertilizer (2 tablespoons per gallon of water). Be sure to plant in full sun. If you plant in shade, you will grow lovely stalks and leaves, but zero blooms.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
