Comments on: Bougainvillea care

By: Val

Val — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:07:52 +0000

I live in Inland San Diego County (zone 10) where bougainvilleas usually flourish. This past spring I planted two on a southwest facing hillside, intense sun all day, on a drip system that comes on for 45 minutes 2X/week. I dug big holes and amended the soil when I planted them. They have shown little significant growth since then. They look stringy with a few blooms very intermittently. I expected these babies to take off. What do you think? Thank you.

By: trina

trina — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:02:54 +0000

my dog and cat eat my bougainvillea plant its weird i slap them if i catch them lol lol

By: trina

trina — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:59:46 +0000

how tall do they get i want to know

Hi Trina Depending on the variety, bougainvillea's vine mature height can range from 10-40 ft.

By: Lori Ryan

Lori Ryan — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:19:50 +0000

Hi, We live in Phoenix, AZ and have 2 large, mature, white bougainvillea. This year we have quite a few pink flowers on both bushes in addition to white. What causes the change in color (I assume reverting to the original color)? Anything we can do to keep the flowers white? Thank you!

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:32:47 +0000

Hi – I’ve read your advice for trying to keep bougainvillea safe (wrapping, adding mulch) but don’t see you recommending plant covers. I live in Sonoma, CA and we have some cold nights and wanted to try these. I can’t move mine indoors, unfortunately. They are just thriving and I would hate to lose them.

Thanks so much for your help.

Hi Kris
There is a product called Planket plant covers that may be of use to you.

By: wyntergrace

wyntergrace — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:21:14 +0000

Winterover bougainvillea Hi, I bought four gorgeous boug plants at the garden center. I live in Red Deer Canada. My intention was to keep them indoors and they will remain in their pots. Much to my horror and dismay, they are experiencing almost total defoliation! Some leaves leaves appear dry and brittle, and some appear a little soft, but all dropping. I spoke to someone at the nursery, and he said they become traumatized from moving. They may not be getting enough light, so I asked about supplementing the sunlight they get with a plant light. It was suggested to wait for a few more weeks, but now all I have are what looks like thorn vines. Would anyone suggest anything else for me do? Would it tramautize them more to get the grow lights? I am watering very sparingly, as I have heard they like to be on the dry side. I would really appreciate some advice, before it is too late. I would just hate to lose them all. Is there any hope of them coming back? Thanks in advance!

Hi Your bougainvillea has gone into a dormant stage. It would need lots of light and warm temperatures to get started again. My suggestion would be to store it in a basement or cool area for the winter. During this time water the soil periodically (once a month) to make sure it doesn't completely dry out. Bring it to light in early spring when temperatures start to warm up.

By: Zareen

Zareen — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Hi, I have a bougainvillea in our conservatory in London, UK, which flowers well in summer and again around Xmas once the underfloor heating has been put on, but at the moment it has lost most of its leaves and looks really sad and straggly. It threathened to take over the conservatory, so I’m wondering if now is a good time to prune it?

Hi Zareen
You can prune it in fall or early spring. Since you are taking it to the conservatory where it will get proper heat and light you can prune it now to stimulate new growth and (since they bloom on new growth) also flowering.

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:29:34 +0000

My aunt has a bouganvilia which is over a year old. The plant did not bloom at all this year, despite fertilising with Miracle Gro during spring and summer. It has sat outside on the deck basking in plenty of sunshine, so I can’t imagine what could be wrong! The plant is still healthy, with lots of green leaves, and my aunt plans to bring it in since temperatures tonight will drop to 0C. She lives in Nothern Canada, in the Muskoka region, and will definitely overwinter the pot indoors.
Any comments on what can be done to ensure the fabulous pink blooms of last season?
Thanks.

Hi Ray,
Here are some cultural suggestions that bougainvillea needs to bloom. It requires at least 6-8 hrs. of full sun. They respond to blooming when they are slightly stressed- crowded roots and the soil kept slightly dry. In addition, blooming occurs on new growth so a light pruning will stimulate new growth. Lightly fed your plant 2-3 times a year with a balanced fertilizer. In general, lack of flowering usually happens from not enough sun, too much water, too much nitrogen. There are also varieties of bougainvillea that bloom in the fall in response to short days

By: Samuels

Samuels — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:37:14 +0000

I have a young boug potted last year on my patio in So. California. I have a feeling I overwatered it, as there were mushrooms growing in a the periphery on the surface of the soil and yellow spores just under the surface and in the root holes of the pot. The plant is still growing very small leaves and flowering sparsely. Is it salvageable?? Thanks.

By: agnes

agnes — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:48:20 +0000

The problems I noticed are ;
1. The leaves go yellow as soon as they sprouts out. There are some leaves that have broken holes and some white spots . Then they die off.

2. The trunk has powdery stuff but I can’t find any insects around

3. The branches are drying up .

Pls help before it dies off.