Bougainvillea Bonsai Care

(Bougainvillea glabra)

An outdoor plant actually an evergreen vine which requires full or filtered sun. Try not to expose to temperatures under 45 degrees. Keep the foilage dry, especially during cold nights. Use a good draining soil and let the soil dry between waterings.

Blooming occurs mostly during the short days of the year, usually anytime between November and May. Research at the University of Florida has found these plants flower best when given high nitrogen fertilizers and short day lengths (15 hours of darkness within every 24 hour period. Flowers can come in a variety of colors including pink, red, and purple (lavender). The colorful papery "blooms" are not flowers they are bracts. The true flower is white, trumpet shaped and barely noticable within the bracts. There is also a Pixie variety which has smaller leaves and flowers (more tightly gathered) than the garden variety.

The root system is very sensitive, if you disturb the root ball, they will lose their leaves which will come back in a few short weeks. Bougies are not big fans of being shipped, this too can cause stress to the plant and cause leaf loss.

Bougainvillea do grow well in pots and make excellent bonsai candidates. Bougainvillea like acid soil. Fertilize with either osmecote or a liquid fertilizer using a 12-6-8 and alternating with a fish emulsion on a monthly schedule, this is necessary to maintain the health of your new bonsai. In addition to fertilizer it is safe to add Superthrive.

Bougainvillea take well to pruning but remember that they generally bloom on new growth. As blooms begin to fade, you should cut back growth to a point somewhat shorter than the desired length. Seal cuts to prevent rot.

Be sure to keep them warm and provide plenty of light in the winter. Repot bougainvillea in the spring, and do not prune the roots too severely. Withold water for a day or so before your repotting.

Pests and diseases common to bougainvillea are caterpillars, aphids, scale, greenfly and chlorosis (mineral deficiencies). Preventative fungicide spraying is suggested.