Brugs From Dormancy to New Growth

Question

I grew Brugmansias last summer for the first time. I brought them into the house where they continued to flower for several weeks. They started dropping the flower buds and leaves, so I cut them back to about 3 feet in height, leaving about 6 inches above the first Y. I kept them in a dark, cold basement (about 45-49 degrees) over the winter where they tended to dry out and the branches started to shrivel up. I increased the amount of water I gave them. I moved them upstairs in a southern window and started watering a month ago. The stems still seem to be shriveling more and they are hollow. I do not see any signs of growth. Did they not make it? Lower stems, which are over an inch across on some of them, look really green. Just wondering if I should cut them down to the ground or leave them a while longer.

Answer 1

If the lower stems are green and firm, then they will grow new branches from those stems. Just give them a little time. If the Y died, you will simply have a bush form instead of a tree form.