Hello

I'm looking for help for our Brugmansia. For 15+ years our Brugmansia has thrived in front of our house. This year it started massively losing leaves after a hot summer. I'm looking for a way to bring it back before I fear it dies. I did have an arborist who injected some nutrients in the roots and I've been watering it more assertively for the past three weeks. We are located in San Francisco.

Pictures from a few years ago and now.

Best
Bill

2+ weeks later (regular watering and fertilizer). There is an area of normal looking Brugmansia near the bottom though the top 2/3 still looks sparse. Any thoughts ?

Are you using both liquid fertilizer and granular? Have you deep watered? Are you adding Epsom salt and Ironite to the liquid fertilizer?

Hi, just liquid fertilizer. What kind of granular ? Definitely deep watered. Not adding Epsom sale nor Ironite to liquid fertilizer. Just add the "normal" amount and for how many feedings ? Right now I'm doing feedings once per week.

Here is an update. I went with the general recommendation that I should trip off the top 6 feet. Here are some photos now.

Spider mites

What works best for spidermites on bruges. I've tried a number of products which have spidermites on the label, but without much success.

This works for me. Spray with neem oil and I mean soak it entire plant leave on for 30 minutes. Then rinse well. Best done early morning. Do not do in direct Sun or mid day heat no guarantee just what works for me may have to repeat for heavy infestations.

Thank you. I'll give that a try. I'm intrigued by brugs and have been working with a Charles Grimaldi for a few years. (The plant was given to me by mistake. The giver thought that she was giving me a datura.) Being in zone 6, he has to be overwintered indoors. That brings more challenges. I've almost given up on him several times. But I am intrigued by them. Thanks again. I would welcome any more suggestions on how to keep these plants growing.

An update on the spidermites. I did what you suggested with the neem oil twice, a week apart. The heavily damaged leaves have dropped off, but the others are looking better though scarred. 3 flower buds have set on, so I think that we got past the crisis. Perhaps I should keep on a regular schedule with the neem oil therapy.
Thanks so much!
Glenn

The pesticide companies can test their products on bugs, and if it kills a few, they can legally say it kills them. Even if it does a poor job of it. You really want a specific miticide to do the job. Good ones are not cheap, but very effective. I use Floromite SC.
A 4 oz bottle will cost you around $50, but the mix ratio is very small. Between 1/4-1/2 teaspoon per gallon. So, you get quite a few rounds out of it. The residual effects are good for about a month.
Neem oil is somewhat of a deterrent, but at the cost of completely obliterating your plant. I never really had luck with it personally. Especially if you have an infestation.

Yes, it is true that chemical labels can just certain insects that it kills, but if it actually does in the field is another thing. I'm in pest control and to find an effective insecticide for spidermites is a challenge. I did get some Floromite from ore chemical supplier actually. They have it in stock. Now that the temperatures are dipping into the 40s and threatening 30s at times, it's time to bring the tender perennials inside. Any suggestions on what to do on this Charles Grimaldi?
Say, how do I get a picture here?

here is an update .. seems happier now