Question
I was given 5 angel trumpet "seeds" for christmas, because my 5 ft angeltrumpet tree got stolen while in full bloom last october. It seems my seeds just rotted in the potting mix. Then someone told me the only way to get plantings from brugsmania is by maiking cuttings - what is the correct answer?

Answer
Hi Albrecht,
Thanx for your question. It is not entirely true that you cannot start seeds and be successful with brugmansia.  What happens though is the seedlings are highly vulnerable to damping off disease which is a fungal infection that attacks the seedlings at the base of their young stems and rots them.  They collapse and die.  You can combat this by using clean pots, clean potting soil and then after planting the seeds apply a layer of milled sphagnum moss on top of the soil, just 1/4 inch or so.  Keep the pot warm and moist.  When the seedling comes up, run a fan on low speed and direct it at the seedlings to keep the air cool and circulating.  I hope this helps.
Tom