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I have not heard of this growing pattern as necessary for blooming.

Key to a healthy and blooming Brugmansia is proper growing conditions, moisture and nutrients.
This link will refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/brugmansia/care-for-brugmansia-outside.htm

Hello,

Thank you for sending us your gardening question. Lucky you! Some brugmansia plants have been reported to be hardy in zone 7b. Since you are in zone 7a, you are very close. It could be that the winters have been mild the last several years. It could be that your mulching and the area in which they are planted has done the trick. You very well might have your own microclimate! Unfortunately, due to all of the variables, it is impossible to predict how much longer your plants might live.

Here are a couple of articles you might find helpful:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-make-a-microclimate.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/brugmansia/brugmansia-winter-care-wintering-brugmansia-in-your-home.htm

Please let us know if you have any other gardening questions and happy gardening!

Thanks
Gardening Know How

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It may be that your brugmansia is either too small or too young to flower. Also, different varieties have different temperature preferences for flowering. Do you know what variety you have? As explained in this article, brugmansias go through an immature phase, and some varieties are more reluctant to flower:

http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resource_search.php?term=676

If your brugmansia is older, this article might help you identify the problem:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-not-blooming.htm

Brugmansia pods do dry out as they mature, so that part is normal. Reportedly, the pods can turn slimy and disintegrate on the plant, dropping the seeds, and this is all normal (though it seems weird). I am really not sure what the fungus could be. This article lists fungal diseases of Brugmansia but none of these would be expected to attack the pod:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/brugmansia/brugmansia-problems.htm

Yes this does sound like it is getting bound in its pot. But from my experience, there is another culprit that will devastate the plant as well. Spider mites will be a continual battle, but if you know what to you it will be easy to control.

Let's address your first issue. The best way to replenish its health will be re-potting it. Get a pot that is 1 or 2 inches deeper than the one it is in, and break apart the root ball carefully so you can get the old soil out. Place enough dirt in the bottom of the new pot to bring the plant to where it needs to be when you fill in the dirt. Fill it the rest of the way, shaking in between to get all of the soil settled. Then water in for its first time. You may have to add more soil after you water.

As for spidermites... Here is link to some organic pest control methods: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/natural-home-pesticides-organic-garden-pest-control.htm

Can you include pictures? This plant is very susceptible to a wide range of pests... Spidermites are the main killer of this plant. A photo will help me to determine what is going on with the plant.