boganvilla

I have a bouganvilla that is in a hanging basket. It is at least 3 foot across and looking beautiful. Except that it is not blooming but a few blooms. I let it dry out and get a little droppy before I water. I fert with osmacote and miracle grow occasionally. It gets about 6 hrs of full hard sum. Any idea how to get more blooms?

I wouldn't let it dry out all the way until it wilts, try to catch it a little before that, if you let it get all the way to wilting then the plant has been stressed more than it needs to be, and that could be preventing it from blooming as well as it could. I've also heard that they'll bloom better if you don't fertilize them much. I think there are conflicting reports on that, I never fertilize mine and they bloom just fine, but I've also seen posts from other people who do fertilize and theirs also bloom, so that may not make much of a difference. I would make sure though that if you are fertilizing it, give it something that's more of a bloom booster formula rather than one that's high in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen stimulates lots of green growth but no flowers.

Also, do you have it indoors or outdoors? If it's indoors that could be part of the problem too, they like heat and sun and would probably do better outdoors at least for the summer, your 6 hrs of light in a window might not be enough for it to bloom really well.

I never fertilize my Bougie's and they seem to bloom fine but I agree with ecrane3 ... some folks swear by fertilization for blooms. I've found that Bougies also seem to prefer being root bound. I only water once a week, unless we are getting a lot of rain, and then I don't water at all! Sometimes these plants will get wilty when they get too much water. Here's some info I found on these plants ... read the area for cultivation and uses:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea

Thanks for the article and advise y'all. Should I trim her back and when should I? Can I start more from the cuttings?

I never prune or trim mine because I want them to climb a trellis, but I guess if you want a more uniform look you can trim them back any time. And, yes they can be started from woody stem cuttings. Here's the Plant Files link on this plant: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55375/



edited to add the link to PF for other Bougie's: http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=bouganvilla+&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search&searcher[common]=Bougainvillea

This message was edited Jul 25, 2007 10:29 AM

Mine is in a pot and root bound I am sure. It trails up a metal thing. I move it outside onto the porch after I am sure it is not going to freeze in May.

Mine is a Cal. King Orange and bloomed for the first time in three years this year! Miracle Grow was the answer for me! I ws told it I give it regularly then it should bloom all year! So I guess we will see.

I know they like Iron and I water mine every night! It is very happy!