Great article!

And for anyone that doesn't have the book:

Brugmansia and Datura: Angel's Trumpets and Thorn Apples
by Ulrike Preissel (Author), Hans-Georg Preissel (Author)

that is referenced & pictured at the end of the article, put it on your Christmas list!!! It's a good read that many have--but some newbies might not have heard about it.

MJ

Thanks MJ, I do have that book and I've read it again and again. I wish there were more books out there. I would like to have more detailed info on growing brugs. I like to know why I am doing something, for instance why are the roots of brugs started in water not as strong as roots started in soil? Some is basic horticulture knowledge that I need to go back and read. The dormancy is one of the things I want to learn about. I have read that potted brugs can be dormant or semi-dormant with low light and then do fine when put back out in the spring. I have also read that other plants such as Ginger that I am just starting to grow might not come out of dormancy or be weak and die in the spring. So I would love a book or article on things people have learned in day to day growing that really work. The Preissel book leads you to believe brugs won't do well unless they are watered with rain water. It also has more history than I would ever want to know about brugs. LOL!!!
Thanks for the info!!!
Joyce

I haven't really had any problems with my gingers not coming back after dormancy. I think probably it must be due to weak rhizome or the ginger being kept too wet or getting too cold in dormancy for it not to come back

I have peacock gingers, globbas (mauve dancing girls, white dragon, and yellow), several hedychiums (which don't go totally dormant here), Zingiber officionale , Zingiber midnight, shampoo ginger, and a few others.

Joyce,

Fantastic article. Thank you so much for sharing. Some very interesting tips. Sounds like brugs are water & fertilizer hogs.

Also, I noted that the article indicates Versicolor to have one of the larges flowers. I can't wait to see mine bloom. Reading through the article really made me anxious for summer.

~Tj~

Sultry jasmine night, thanks for the info on yours. I have heard that many people rot their gingers whether they are in the ground or potted. Because I just got some rhizomes, I was concerned that I am starting them potted indoors during the dormant time and that is when they should be resting. Mine will always be in pots. I was told the alpinias do not go dormant and the blue ginger is not a true ginger so it does not go dormant. I got a variety pack from Hawaii and the hedychiums are growing the best indoors, but I don't know if I should back off watering as they are just getting started? I will keep searching for answers and I do appreciate your help!!!!
Joyce

If you've already planted them just keep them warm and slighty moist but not soggy and give them plenty of light indoors this winter and they should be okay.

The blue ginger isn't a true ginger but looks like one and sure is pretty! I have one that got really large and made a lot of offsets but didn't bloom this year prob. because I gave it a big pot right when it was blooming time so it grew more roots instead! grrr.