I had no idea where to get info on my new plant. After asking around, They said "Tropical plants forum" so here I am. Today I purchsed a "bougainvillea" Its really lovely. After I got home, I read where it might not be hardy in my zone. I live on the coast of N.C. zone8b. any input on this plant would be appreciated. I made a post on Carolina Gardning, but got only one feedback. I guess I just need to know about care, Mine was in a hanging basket. How else are they usually kept?
Thanks-Lynda
They sent me to the pros !
lynda_45, i can't tell you much about growing them as i've killed far too many but a cousin of mine keeps hers year after year in an unheated garage, giving them water only when the are almost dry. she lives in little rock, ar. lee
Thanks for the input.
Lynda
LYNDA_ 45, I forgot to say when i put my bougs. in grhouse the leaves fall off and then they start growing and puting out leaves again. Hope this helps. Good luck and i know you will love your bougs. Jerry
I'd probably bring it in for the winter if you want to be sure it will survive the winter--I've seen some places list them as zone 9 and others as zone 10. At my old house which was in 9b, they survived winters outdoors (some in the ground, some in pots) but often lost most of their leaves. I tried some the first year I was here but we had a very unusually cold snap (temps in the high teens/low 20's for a few nights) and that killed the ones I had in the ground. I didn't grow any last year so I'm not sure if they would have survived our normal winter, but if you expect to have a number of nights that are below 30 I'd bring it in to be safe. As far as pre-winter care, I've always heard that they'll bloom better if you keep them on the dry side and don't fertilize them a lot (that's how I've always treated them and mine have always bloomed great), but I've seen posts from others here who've watered them more and fertilized them more and still had luck with them. Now that we're getting into fall though I definitely wouldn't fertilize them.
I have always left mine in the ground or in a pot outside during the winter but we have mild winters. I agree with ecrane--they bloom better if kept on the dry side and require very little fertilizer. Full sun also.