non blooming bouganvilla

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dun1kirk Berkeley, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 02, 2010

All my neighborhood's bouganvillas are blooming almost all year long. It is now the beginning of Sept. and I am just getting some brackets showing. Any help out there?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 02, 2010

Are they new plants that you just planted this year? If so then they won't have as many blooms since they're still working on getting their roots going. I'd also look at how much sun they're getting--too much shade could also hurt blooms. Too much water or fertilizer in my experience can also prevent them from blooming well, although I've seen posts from people who water them a lot and fertilize them and still get blooms.

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dun1kirk Berkeley, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 02, 2010

This plant is over 5 years old. It gets only strong AM sun and bright light the rest of the time. I don't think I've ever fertilized it since I was told it isn't needed.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 02, 2010

They don't need fertilizer in my experience so I doubt that's the problem--but if you were fertilizing regularly then I would suggest that as a possible reason why they're not blooming. Given the sun conditions, my #1 suspect would be not enough sun--they love sun & heat so AM sun only may not be enough for them.

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Mayqueen Orlando, FL(Zone 9a) May 26, 2011

I have a similar problem with my 26 year old Bouganvilla. It used to bloom and now only blooms every so often. It is huge and a gorgeous color when it does bloom, however, I can't figure out why it doesn't. It gets plenty of sunlight, water and I fertilize it with Miracle Gro every so often. We have many others that bloom beautifully that is why I can't figure this one out!

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 26, 2011

You might try watering and fertilizing less, I've always had the best luck with them when they were kept on the dry side and not fertilized.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) May 26, 2011

Also, a really old bougainvillea benefits from a bit of pruning now and then.

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LordsNursery Lake Placid, FL(Zone 9b) May 26, 2011

pruning is the secret.. bougainvilleas only bloom on new growth. So your tips will have blooms but, if you prune you will more new growth, more tips= more blooms!

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