aka
Bougainvillea
Nyctaginaceae
By
Sarah Fowler
It
was discovered in Brazil by a French navigator. It can be grown in warmer
climates or indoors.
Characteristics:Bougainvillea
is an evergreen vine that is a woody plant with spiky thorns.
Uses:They
can be used in pots, hanging baskets, ground covers, and trees.
Flowering:
Mostly in the winter and Early Spring.Small
Clusters the rest of the year.Bloom
on new growth.
Flower
Structure:The
papery look is really the bract not the bloom.The
true flower is white in the center of the bract.
Colors:Purple,
Red, Pink, White, and Yellow.
Lighting:
Full sun. 6-8 hours per day Protect from intense afternoon sun.
Watering:
Sparse to light watering and good drainage. During the spring-fall months,
they might need to be watered multiple times during the day.They
require a lot of water but don’t like to be waterlogged.It
is best to be moist to slightly dry soil.
Fertilization:The
best time is during the spring using one with low nitrogen.It
is okay in the fall too but not during the winter.
Climate:
they can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°.They
become wilty in low temperatures.Kept
best in a greenhouse during the winter months.They
don’t like cold drafts.
Soil:
70% Organic Matter & 30% Grit
Pruning
and Wiring:The
plant works well as a bonsai so it is easy to prune.The
branches become brittle as they age so wiring the branches when they are
young is helpful.
Repotting:
They need to be repotted in the Spring every 3-5 years. Just don’t prune
the roots back too much.
Pests and Diseases:
Things that affect them are caterpillars, aphids, scale, greenfly and chlorosis.
Things to watch for are fungus.To
control fungus; reduce the humidity and use a preventive fungicide.Powdery
mildew might form on indoor plants due to poor ventilation.
Propagation
Methods:Bougainvillea
can be grown from air layers, root cuttings and branch cuttings. Cuttings
from young shoots, a few inches in length are best. Old wood cuttings,
6” to 12” in length may be rooted from April-June. Air layering should
be carried out from April-July.It
will take 4-6 weeks to develop a good root system.
Sources
http://www.qcbonsai.org/articles/treecare/tc_bough.html
Zane,
Thomas L.Bougainvillea – Bougainvillea
glabra.
http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/bougainvillea.html