Bouganvilla

[nicolef888]

I have never used camel dung so I unfortunately can't help you there. Maybe the camel dung and boganvilla don't go well together. I would remove it from the boganvilla and use something more acidic as boganvillas prefer more of an acid based fertilizer. Let me do some further research and also check what we use on ours. I'll get back to you...

[Deana]

Originally posted by nicolef888
use something more acidic as boganvillas prefer more of an acid based fertilizer

This has worked for us very nicely. We didn't have good luck with a bouganvilla a few years ago, but this past spring we planted two small plants that are now very large and healthy. We planted them in acidic soil, and fertilize about once a month with something specifically for tropical plants. We really only water about once a week (sometimes twice when it is very, very hot here). I was told by a gardener to let it dry out before you water it. We hardly prune at all, just trim the branches when they become unruly. Basically, we leave it alone and it does beautifully. It's still flowering quite a bit!

[dolphintat]

Originally posted by Deana
This has worked for us very nicely. We didn't have good luck with a bouganvilla a few years ago, but this past spring we planted two small plants that are now very large and healthy. We planted them in acidic soil, and fertilize about once a month with something specifically for tropical plants. We really only water about once a week (sometimes twice when it is very, very hot here). I was told by a gardener to let it dry out before you water it. We hardly prune at all, just trim the branches when they become unruly. Basically, we leave it alone and it does beautifully. It's still flowering quite a bit!

thanks I'll definitely give it a try

[Deana]

Our cold spells here in TX have given my bouganvilla a little beating
All of the leaves have dried and dropped, the branches are still intact (they are climbing on a trellis) but have turned brown on the outside. I snaped a few open yesterday and they are still green on the inside.

Should I cut down the vines, or will they develop growth again?

[lynnspain]

Hello everyone. it is so good to hear that these wonderful plants are so popular away from their native home. I live in Mallorca and they grow everywhere here. They do love sun and shade. Preferably sun if you give them water every day and some shade if not. Therefore judge the amount of water you give them by the amount of sun they receive. Here they tend to be in sandy soil. They are very hardy plants and prefer less water ( once a WEEK enough to keep the soild a little damp) in the winter. Some varieties will flower all year round and others will drop all their leaves and flowers in the winter. So do not despare they WILL come back in the spring, along with the stronger sun. A very important hint if you wish your plant to grow thick and strong. Cut it right back in the autumn or late winter. I mean be almost brutal. Then you will have bigger flowers and a huge bushy plant a few months later. They are used for shade here instead og parasols in the garden. So lovely. Also they do like tight pots or the ground. Usually if in a pot it is a terrecota one. What they do not like is to be in a windy spot. Shelter them and they will be happy all winter. Here it never goes to zero so if your temp in winter is below that then inside is best.

Good luck.

[CKriczky]

Hello -

I live in Central Texas. Have two bouganvilla that bloomed like crazy this spring. They have been growing like weeds this summer but no blooms. What can I do?

Chris

[lynnspain]

they do have rest times i realise. have they had rain water or tap water.. if they do not have access to rain water then i recomend that you move them (if poss) int ot he rain when you can.. they will thrive then. if not catch the water and use it. i had a climbing plant that did not flower for 2 years and this year ( can only assume that it si because i moved it into the rain) lots of lovely flowers and plant looking VERY healthy.

Good luck and talk to them. they like a lot of love

[CKriczky]

thanks Lynn. They are in the rain (especially lately). They only get full sunlight for a few hours a day. Have been thinking about getting a grow light. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[nicolef888]

Have you fertilized lately? I am having the same issues with my Bogainvilla and it's always had rain water. I haven't fertilized it in a while so I'm thinking that it needs to be done.

[CKriczky]

I use Miracle Grow every couple of weeks, but that doesnt seem to be helping other than turning them into huge green leafy vines.

[Mel-icious]

Bougies are my DH's favorite, wish we still lived in the South, they are beautiful plants.

This is what I've gathered about them:

Light & Bougainvillea
Sunlight is probably the most important factor in bougainvillea cultivation. Bougainvillea need full to ¾ sunlight — no less — or they will not bloom.

A common misconception is that bougainvillea bloom only during the fall, winter, and spring. Bougainvillea can bloom all year if properly grown in good light.

Growth in the winter can be retarded if plants are kept too cool. A hot greenhouse seems to encourage the new growth which leads to repeat flowering.

Watering Bougainvillea
During the blooming period, NEVER let potted plants wilt or stand in too much water. Bougainvillea need a “happy medium”. After planting in the ground, hold back on watering a little until the bougainvillea begins expand its roots — then water as necessary.

Fertilizing Bougainvillea
A top dressing with “Colorstar” bougainvillea fertilizer will get the growth off to a good start. Incorporating a well balanced slow-release coated fertilizer into the soil at planting time will encourage growth and blooming for a long time. Too much nitrogen in the fertilizer will cause excessive leaf growth, leading to delayed or aborted blooming.

Iron is vital for good green color, but tends to be unavailable to bougainvillea plants during cold winter weather. Soluble, granular iron works well, and, unlike sprays, will not stain leaves and blooms.



Pruning Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea bloom on new growth. With proper pruning, sunlight, and water, plants will repeat a blooming cycle in about 4 weeks.

A rule of thumb is to prune, once the blooming is over, one-half of the growth that ends in the bloom. For example, if the growth where blooming occurs has grown out 6 inches (see diagram), prune off the old bloom cluster, plus 3 inches of the stem after blooming. Also, “pinching” the tips of your bougainvillea encourages new growth and flowers and maintains a compact, manageable plant.

Did you prune it at all? Or maybe its not receiving enough light? Or possibly there is to much nitrogen for their liking in MG? I'd seek out the one mentioned above and try that, but only after your next feeding, don't over fertilize or you'll kill the plant.

[CKriczky]

Have not pruned at all. Some of my growths are about 3 feet. I really dont understand your explaination of how far to prune. If I have a 3 foot growth, how far should I prune and how often? Thanks for all of the wonderful information!

Chris

[Csara]

We recently had the landscaping in our front and backyard redone. We had 3 bouganvillas trees put in. Something new I learned was that they like epsom salts. If you put that in the soil, it will help them flourish. I guess it's the same or similar as using acidic soil, but it is supposed to work very nicely!

[Dkmelba]

Deana - I am new to this site and funny you should be asking about your Bouganvilla - I have a well established Bouganvilla in my garden but it was here when I moved in about two years ago, so I don't know what was done to establish it. But, I live in Las Vegas.... hot hot hot.... and the plant is doing beautifully. It is planted in the ground against a wall that faces east and is protected from afternoon sun. I've always heard that a wall that faces south is best.... but who knows. I water it about once every 4 or 5 days, but it doesn't seem to matter if I water less.... or more. Because of how well this one has done... I decided to purchase another one just yesterday. I am praying for this one to make it.

My question has to do with covering in the winter? Would you know with regard to the new one that is planted in a pot.... when you cover it, do you cover the pot? the whole plant? I've never had to cover a plant before and wouldn't even know "what" to cover it with.... burlap?

[Jester]

I also once in a while take a hand rake and sift the top soil around on our four bouganvilla plants.