Bougainvillea hybrid- help me keep this bougainvillea alive

[ceriano]

I picked up this bougainvillea this morning. Can you you give me some tips on how keep it alive. Specially the light requirements. This is the type of grow light I currently have. Would that sufficient with the west facing window?

https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Growing-Seedlings-Adjustable-Gooseneck/dp/B08P4RM8H1/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=led+grow+light+stand&qid=1614361843&sr=8-3

 

[Carol 83]

Pretty. I'm jealous, they don't sell them around here. Mine all came from Florida. That light will probably be OK until you can get it outside. I keep mine in a southern exposure, with lights. Don't be surprised if it drops some leaves. Water sparingly, they hate wet feet.

 

[ceriano]

Pretty. I'm jealous, they don't sell them around here. Mine all came from Florida. That light will probably be OK until you can get it outside. I keep mine in a southern exposure, with lights. Don't be surprised if it drops some leaves. Water sparingly, they hate wet feet.

Thanks it’s a decent size cutting.

 

[ceriano]

The soil has too much bark and organics. I probably need to change that in the summer. We get a lot of rain around here.

 

[Carol 83]

I was advised by a member here, years ago that they like to be repotted in the hottest part of the summer. I have followed that advice and have never had a problem after repotting them.

 

[ceriano]

I was advised by a member here, years ago that they like to be repotted in the hottest part of the summer. I have followed that advice and have never had a problem after repotting them.

What type of soil do you use? This is what I got for tropical but it’s really fine grade and I feel it hold too much water.

https://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Tinyroots-Buttonwood-varieties-Additives/dp/B007GSHZLG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=tropical+bonsai+soil&qid=1614376395&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOUo5OUdMRE5TTjZWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDk5Njc3MktDR0xWVEJVMkQzViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODg1NzkyM1ZXSlBGTkZUUTgzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[Carol 83]

What type of soil do you use? This is what I got for tropical but it’s really fine grade and I feel it hold too much water.

https://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Tinyroots-Buttonwood-varieties-Additives/dp/B007GSHZLG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=tropical+bonsai+soil&qid=1614376395&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOUo5OUdMRE5TTjZWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDk5Njc3MktDR0xWVEJVMkQzViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODg1NzkyM1ZXSlBGTkZUUTgzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

You may be right, I just glanced over the description and "water retentive" is not something you want for a bougie. I was using a blend from a nearby bonsai nursery. But since they closed, I have been using a mix from Bonsai Jack.

 

[Cadillactaste]

You may be right, I just glanced over the description and "water retentive" is not something you want for a bougie. I was using a blend from a nearby bonsai nursery. But since they closed, I have been using a mix from Bonsai Jack.

I've heard Adam lavigne I believe refer to Bonsai Jack as good substrate.

 

[ceriano]

I've heard Adam lavigne I believe refer to Bonsai Jack as good substrate.

Do you know which one? Should I go inorganic?

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Jack-Inorganic-11011-Quarts/dp/B00RANTCKY/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=bonsai+jack&qid=1614379712&sr=8-7

 

[Cadillactaste]

Do you know which one? Should I go inorganic?

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Jack-Inorganic-11011-Quarts/dp/B00RANTCKY/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=bonsai+jack&qid=1614379712&sr=8-7

@Carol 83 what do you use? All my tropical friends use an organic mix.

 

[ceriano]

This is their organic mix: Gradation appears to be coarse.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Jack-Universal-Organic-Soil/dp/B00RANT74U/ref=psdc_3752881_t4_B00RANTCKY?th=1

 

[Cadillactaste]

This is their organic mix: Gradation appears to be coarse.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Jack-Universal-Organic-Soil/dp/B00RANT74U/ref=psdc_3752881_t4_B00RANTCKY?th=1

Agreed... I've not used it. But Adam used an organic. This looks fine. What size pot are you using?

 

[ceriano]

Agreed... I've not used it. But Adam used an organic. This looks fine. What size pot are you using?

It's a 10" by 7".

 

[Cadillactaste]

It's a 10" by 7".

Definitely want larger scale substrate.

 

[ceriano]

Definitely want larger scale substrate.

So the bonsai jack one is not large enough?

 

[ceriano]

This is the one I got. It’s super fine

 

[Cadillactaste]

So the bonsai jack one is not large enough?

I have never used Bonsai Jack. I use this...for larger pots.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Purpose-Draining-Calcined-Supply/dp/B07M68B4JG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=bonsai+supply+substrate&qid=1614385249&sr=8-4

 

[Cadillactaste]

You need to ask @Carol 83 about the size...of Bonsai Jack.

 

[ceriano]

I have never used Bonsai Jack. I use this...for larger pots.

https://www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Purpose-Draining-Calcined-Supply/dp/B07M68B4JG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=bonsai+supply+substrate&qid=1614385249&sr=8-4

Awesome I'll probably order both. Is there a way to amend the current soil without fully bare-rooting the plant? Just knock off some of the soil and add pumice or something?

 

[Cadillactaste]

You can wait until its actively growing and rinse the roots completely. Having one substrate mix permits even drying out. Your in Louisiana...I know Florida they are still coming on the end of their winter. Not sure what time that would fall. But actively growing and allowed outside to acclimate is when I do my repots.