I think that a dat wants to sprawl. It grows naturally by forking at the flower and doubling/doubling/doubling from there on. A couple of years ago I had hundreds to plant as a test and had them all planted about 1 foot apart. They all pretty much went straight up to about 5/6 feet. I think they did this do to the lack of light on the lower stems and they had no room to spread into other plants territory. You could grow a "standard" by keeping all side shoots removed then at the height you want let it branch. Good luck!

yupp just ask Kristy how much they like to sprawl!! I could not believe my eyes. Not that my one white one that came back from last year, isn't already taking over the flowerbed also. Covering up all other plants

good luck and let us know if it works

Lucy

Now that I'm a little more rested and have put more thought into your question - It would probably not work with inoxias. the plants I was working with were metels.

blicon1,

I was under the impression that inoxia was a syn. for metal?

Hi Everyone-
This is the first time one of my Daturas have come back like this- straight up, no branching- it's about 3 feet tall now- I didn't do anything to it to get it this way!

Kasha77
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Hmmmm....Are you saying you don't think it will grow in an upright position if I keep the side shoots trimmed? The way they grow I would probably have to trim it practically every day!! LOL!!! I don't think anything will kill it so I am going to experiment.
*** Kathy, what variety is your datura? You will have to let me know if it keeps getting taller without sprawling. I don't know the actual variety of mine.
***Lucy, I do know all about them covering up all of plants! I have limited space so I keep mine pruned or they would take over the whole yard!
Anyone else have any thoughts on this???
Thanks for the response!
Joyce

Remember when I thought I was growing a brug, but it was really a dat. It was a double BTW, but I pulled all the side shoots and it looks like a standard, very weird. I staked it too, so funny looking.

Well, the single purple is growing back from last year. Which had a long single stem before branching out to start blooming.

This year it is maybe 6" tall. Something nibbled the new growth off. Now it is branching out left and right.

After I read this thread, I started to trim back the 3 bushes growing in the flowerbed with all newly planted plants.

Guess only time will tell :-)

Lucy

I enclosed a picture of the Datura that I trimmed to tree shape. I would say it is around two feet tall. I will let you know how my experiment works trying to keep it in a tree shape.
Thanks!
Joyce

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Joyce that looks pretty :-)

Lucy

ya know what Joyce? All my dats grew like that last year, with no help from me. I didnt have even one that looked bushy. All tall tree shaped, well, not that tall, lol, I think my tallest was like 3'. But I liked it! I def wanna try for that again this year, even if I need to help them along.