Help with struggling Bougainvillea

[artyparty]

Hi all!

This is my first bonsai, so apologies for being so green. I got my Bougainvillea a few months ago and it was doing great until winter really hit (based in NYC). When I bought it the trunk roots were a bit loose which seemed to stem from a shoddy replanting job. Now, its leaves are falling off rapidly. I've been tentative to do any drastic care like replanting the whole bonsai cause of what I've read online about Bougainvilleas being sensitive to such changes.

Any recommendations, or tips, or even assurances that it'll be alright, would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[akillas]

Bougainvillea goes dormant in winter in colder climates. I would provide some more light, and mist every now and then. Regardless, it will be fine

*The above info is valid assuming your soil is not a compact ball of drowning death used by nurseries*

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome to the site!

Bougainvillea are (in my humble opinion) very challenging trees to keep indoors, and I don't recommend them for beginners. I had them all over my landscape in SoCal (attached pic is one I planted as a 1 gallon landscape plant) and I considered them desert plants because (once established) they could go nine months without a drop of rain or irrigation water. They have very touchy roots that don't like to be messed with, and they do not like wet feet, so make sure you water and let the soil almost dry out before you water again. They are a large thorny viny bush that needs to be constantly pruned in order to maintain a tight growth habit, and pruning has to be done at the right time of year if you want it to flower. I honestly can't imagine a scenario where you could get them to thrive and flower indoors... best case would be to overwinter indoors, and get them back outside as quickly as possible in the spring. They are full tropicals that need full tropical sunlight to bloom, and hot growing conditions.

The only thing I can recommend for your tree is to continue to give it the best care possible - the most light you can possibly provide, and water thoroughly but let it dry out between waterings. They thrive on neglect.

Also... buy yourself a small ficus bonsai. They will do much better indoors, are more forgiving when it comes to light and water, and you can often find them for sale at your local Home Depot or Lowes. It will make you happy while you do battle with your bougainvillea

 

[Carol 83]

I have kept bougainvillea's inside for the winter for years but mine are under grow lights. They grow fine and bloom randomly all winter. Did you keep it outside before it got cold? They will frequently lose leaves when they're moved from outside to inside. Most importantly, especially with so few leaves, water very sparingly. They are tough plants but won't tolerate constant overwatering. Give it as much light as you can and best of luck with it.

 

[Vince Sartain]

Welcome to the site!

Bougainvillea are (in my humble opinion) very challenging trees to keep indoors, and I don't recommend them for beginners. I had them all over my landscape in SoCal (attached pic is one I planted as a 1 gallon landscape plant) and I considered them desert plants because (once established) they could go nine months without a drop of rain or irrigation water. They have very touchy roots that don't like to be messed with, and they do not like wet feet, so make sure you water and let the soil almost dry out before you water again. They are a large thorny viny bush that needs to be constantly pruned in order to maintain a tight growth habit, and pruning has to be done at the right time of year if you want it to flower. I honestly can't imagine a scenario where you could get them to thrive and flower indoors... best case would be to overwinter indoors, and get them back outside as quickly as possible in the spring. They are full tropicals that need full tropical sunlight to bloom, and hot growing conditions.

The only thing I can recommend for your tree is to continue to give it the best care possible - the most light you can possibly provide, and water thoroughly but let it dry out between waterings. They thrive on neglect.

Also... buy yourself a small ficus bonsai. They will do much better indoors, are more forgiving when it comes to light and water, and you can often find them for sale at your local Home Depot or Lowes. It will make you happy while you do battle with your bougainvillea


View attachment 623643

Just an addendum to your post. They don't like their roots messed with UNLESS it is the peak of summer and hot, real hot. You can practically treat them as a cutting of any size at this time. Strangest plant I have ever seen when it comes to repotting or propagation!

 

[milehigh_7]

Just an addendum to your post. They don't like their roots messed with UNLESS it is the peak of summer and hot, real hot. You can practically treat them as a cutting of any size at this time. Strangest plant I have ever seen when it comes to repotting or propagation!

This is exactly right. You MUST report in the absolute hottest of summer. Then you can take 100% of the roots if you like and plant a 1 foot diameter cutting with zero problem . This is a cutting with an 8-10" base in a cement tub... It was just sawed out of the ground with a sawzall and left on the sidewalk for a day. Anyhow, yours looks fine. DO NOT overwater. It needs as much light and heat as you can get it. However, the others are right, if you repot anytime other than summer you may as well chuck it. IF it lives it will struggle for a few years. You can kind of see another cutting off to the left. that one is only 3" diameter. They were literally chunks left on the sidewalk for the trash truck in the Phoenix summer.

 

[PastryBaker]

This is exactly right. You MUST report in the absolute hottest of summer. Then you can take 100% of the roots if you like and plant a 1 foot diameter cutting with zero problem . This is a cutting with an 8-10" base in a cement tub... It was just sawed out of the ground with a sawzall and left on the sidewalk for a day. Anyhow, yours looks fine. DO NOT overwater. It needs as much light and heat as you can get it. However, the others are right, if you repot anytime other than summer you may as well chuck it. IF it lives it will struggle for a few years. You can kind of see another cutting off to the left. that one is only 3" diameter. They were literally chunks left on the sidewalk for the trash truck in the Phoenix summer.



View attachment 623656

I am still amazed that just a log put into a pot will grow..but it does. I got one. And when I was told on here and from other growers to repot in summer, I thought they were joking with me.

 

[milehigh_7]

I know it's absolutely crazy... However, it's been proven by the Phoenix Bonsai Society for years. I double checked with Adam Lavigne (adamaskwhy .com) a friend and a very knowledgeable dude, especially with all things tropical and he confirmed. I've personally done hundreds this way and the only time I've had issues was when I tried to push and do it other times of the year. If you want to add an extra layer of protection. defoliate first and then let them rest in part shade until they start popping leaves.

 

[PastryBaker]

I know it's absolutely crazy... However, it's been proven by the Phoenix Bonsai Society for years. I double checked with Adam Lavigne (adamaskwhy .com) a friend and a very knowledgeable dude, especially with all things tropical and he confirmed. I've personally done hundreds this way and the only time I've had issues was when I tried to push and do it other times of the year. If you want to add an extra layer of protection. defoliate first and then let them rest in part shade until they start popping leaves.

I know. At the bonsai swap meet, I bought pretty much a 4" diameter trunk with new growth all over it. I wish other trees were like this.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

when I was told on here and from other growers to repot in summer, I thought they were joking with me.

All I know is that if I messed with any of mine any time other than the summer, they would crash/die. In addition if they were not in 100% full sun, they would not flower. I could have a large landscape plant and if a palm tree frond drooped over it, it would stop flowering and would start to throw leggy, thorny growth. Remove the frond, cut back hard, and the bougie never looked happier.

 

[PastryBaker]

All I know is that if I messed with any of mine any time other than the summer, they would crash/die. In addition if they were not in 100% full sun, they would not flower. I could have a large landscape plant and if a palm tree frond drooped over it, it would stop flowering and would start to throw leggy, thorny growth. Remove the frond, cut back hard, and the bougie never looked happier.

Full sun out here is different than full sun back there I think. I had mine under 70% shade cloth from June-Sept and they still bloomed well. I may try one in complete full sun and watch it closely.

 

[Vince Sartain]

Full sun out here is different than full sun back there I think. I had mine under 70% shade cloth from June-Sept and they still bloomed well. I may try one in complete full sun and watch it closely.

I keep most of mine under 40% shade cloth all summer from about April to October and they bloom like crazy. I do have some in full sun and they may do slightly better bloom wise but not much.

 

[NashsMan]

I have an 8 foot tall x 4 foot wide bougie espaliered in my greenhouse. It's about 30 years old and blooms almost continuously. I cut it back hard about twice per year.
As of last month, Ii now have 5 to develop as bonsai, but all need a repot first so I'm waiting until June.

 

[milehigh_7]

Full sun out here is different than full sun back there I think. I had mine under 70% shade cloth from June-Sept and they still bloomed well. I may try one in complete full sun and watch it closely.

keep the roots cool and you should be good to go...

 

[milehigh_7]

With bogies, blooming is tied to the light a little but more tied to watering. In nature they bloom during the "dry season" and put out veg in the "rainy" season. They will do the same in a pot. Oh and you'll get many more blooms and less veg if they are slightly rootbound. Strange plants they are...

 

[artyparty]

I have kept bougainvillea's inside for the winter for years but mine are under grow lights. They grow fine and bloom randomly all winter. Did you keep it outside before it got cold? They will frequently lose leaves when they're moved from outside to inside. Most importantly, especially with so few leaves, water very sparingly. They are tough plants but won't tolerate constant overwatering. Give it as much light as you can and best of luck with it.

Good to know! I'm not sure how the previous caretaker handled it. Thanks

 

[artyparty]

Thanks everyone!