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Bougainvillea
Morning all ,I purchased a bougainvillea last year online.Was a bit alarmed how spinderly it was but I have noticed it has recently produced one flower but the plant itself doesn't seem much stronger its in a small pot .Can anyone advise on the care of this plant please?
Ilona
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Prune it down to a growing shoot on each branch. Repot it. Feed it with tomato fertiliser or phostrogen once a week through the summer.
i bought one from homebase
I think they need to be outdoors in full sun all day long. We grow those all over Texas and any I have tried indoors or in shadier locations have not grown well and will almost never bloom in a dimly lit location (or with frequent pruning). They also do better in the ground than in pots, but where you are, you'd have to winter them over indoors, for sure. I'd recommend a really large pot once you get this one "rejuvenated" with more direct sunlight. I think that's probably all it is wanting.
I've had bougainvillias get as large as 6-8' tall at other houses I've lived in. I'd have to heavily prune them 2x a year to keep them contained in their locations, which sadly can stunt blooming for awhile. A lady down the street from me on the Gulf Coast years ago had an old antique bed frame in her huge front garden and filled the bed with them and they unbrella draped out over about a 15' spread. It was truly the most beautiful display of the plant I have EVER seen (although truth be told, I didn't much care for the antique bed frame presentation much. The plants nicely hid most of the frame within 2 years,
Thanks all ,I did buy it for the conservatory and have always kept in there where it gets quite warm in the day ,do you think I should put it outside then Peggy ?
Well, Ilona, your photo shows it in a window, but unless direct sun comes through that window and hits it, I don't believe it's going to improve in that spot. They are plants that thrive in the hot sun of Mexico and I believe, also on the Mediterranean. I DO think putting it outside in direct sunlight, for awhile, at least, would certainly not do it any harm, since these plants LOVE direct sun. Then if it starts leafing out, you have a good first indication of improvement. If it then begins to set more blooms, I think that is the problem.
I had one, but it died, no maybe no the nest to give advice
However as already mentioned as full sun as possible and only just enough water. I found with mine that if the top of the soil was wet mould would form, where as when I kept it drier it did better.
The 6 huge potted ones I had in a full-sun exposure rockery courtyard at my last house thrived and bloomed prolifically in the excessive heat we get in Texas and sun all day long. The more sun they get the more they will bloom. They like even watering when young, but once they are about 1' tall and established, they like infrequent water. My rule of thumb was I watered them when the leaves fell limp, but not before. They would always perk right back up after a drink.
I don't think you stand much chance of growing Bougainvillia anywhere in the UK . Not even in a conservatory.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Ilona, I don't know where you are based, but personally I wouldn't put a Bougainvillias outside unless I could guarantee a steady temperature of 20 + . We grow them in greenhouses or conservatories here and we have seen them growing outside in Mediterranean areas. They do like plenty of light, sun and warmth and are pruned quite hard after flowering -
Thanks everyone for your input,was really warm today so i put it outside .Will see if this improves it and will keep you posted.