bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - What to do with my new Bougainvillea?

First thing I would do is leave it alone. Let the tree get used to your environment, since it is different from the nursery. Let it continue to grow and since I do not know where you live (zone) I would say wait until next spring before attempting any styling. Of course this is just my opinion. Here's some information from my files. I believe that most of this information was written by my friend,Luis Fontanills.

Bougainvillea Paper Flower

BOUGAINVILLEA as BONSAI

1) Pruning and Repotting - Prune and repot after flowering in early spring. Repotting of an established tree would be done every two years, while on younger trees every year. The pruning can be quite extensive on the branches. Cut back hard to only one or two leaf nodes (observe the location of the nodes, use side growing nodes only). Bougainvillea will back bud heavily even on old wood after a severe pruning. If your specimen is already in a bonsai pot extensive root pruning will not be necessary. Trim lightly but cut off any large roots, if possible, without losing the fine feeder roots. Bougainvillea can tolerate heavy root pruning as well. Make sure you balance the loss of roots with a matching (balancing) pruning of the foliage.
During growth spurts, cut back to one or two leaf nodes after the stem has lignified some (turned slightly hard and woody). These shoots can grow at an incredible rate and must be controlled to maintain a refined bonsai form. Remove any buds facing up or down (as soon as they appear) on the branches. I use a fingernail for this.

2) Light - During warm weather place the tree outside in full sun (ideally for the entire day). During cold weather take indoors and place in the brightest spot possible (Note: see item 6 Temperature below). This is essential for compact growth and good flowering. Note: Increases in light intensity should be made gradually to avoid sunburn.

3) Soil - Any well draining media will do, as they are tolerant of many soil types. I use a minimum of 40% course landscaping sand (match head size) in my mix.
If you really think you need to repot use a lot of aggregate material (sand,pumice, lava etc) and I have found you can go 4-5 years or more before roots start to fill a container. Leaves reduce well as root space diminished. Really tie your tree in extra well too, it may take a whole growing season or more before the tree is really steady after a repot. Show us some color later in the year

4) Fertilizing - Any good off the shelf water-soluble fertilizer will work. Make sure it contains trace elements (I use Miracid 30-10-10). After flowering and during rapid growth, fertilize every week (I fertilize year round) at the full strength recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer for potted plants. At other times of the year once a month will suffice. Remember that the more healthy growth you can stimulate the quicker you will be able to refine your bonsai.

5) Watering - Maintain the soil moist (not wet) especially during active growth phases. It can tolerate fairly dry conditions, but you will slow its growth. Generally, a high ambient air humidity is best.

6) Temperature – Maintain bougainvillea above freezing at all times, and preferably above 50 degrees F., though it can withstand lower temperatures with no appreciable damage.

6) Pests and Ailments - Caterpillars love to eat the leaves and colorful bracts (this is what most people refer to as flowers). Use an appropriate systemic insecticide when and if needed. Chlorosis may occur if suffering from mineral deficiencies, in particular iron. This should not occur with proper fertilization and maintaining a pH that is not too high (7.0 or below to 6.5 is good). In general they are very resistant to pests.

30-Jul-2006	#2
clrosner bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Nov-2001 Location: Southern New Jersey, USA Country: USA USDA Zone: 6/7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,077	First thing I would do is leave it alone. Let the tree get used to your environment, since it is different from the nursery. Let it continue to grow and since I do not know where you live (zone) I would say wait until next spring before attempting any styling. Of course this is just my opinion. Here's some information from my files. I believe that most of this information was written by my friend,Luis Fontanills. Bougainvillea Paper Flower BOUGAINVILLEA as BONSAI 1) Pruning and Repotting - Prune and repot after flowering in early spring. Repotting of an established tree would be done every two years, while on younger trees every year. The pruning can be quite extensive on the branches. Cut back hard to only one or two leaf nodes (observe the location of the nodes, use side growing nodes only). Bougainvillea will back bud heavily even on old wood after a severe pruning. If your specimen is already in a bonsai pot extensive root pruning will not be necessary. Trim lightly but cut off any large roots, if possible, without losing the fine feeder roots. Bougainvillea can tolerate heavy root pruning as well. Make sure you balance the loss of roots with a matching (balancing) pruning of the foliage. During growth spurts, cut back to one or two leaf nodes after the stem has lignified some (turned slightly hard and woody). These shoots can grow at an incredible rate and must be controlled to maintain a refined bonsai form. Remove any buds facing up or down (as soon as they appear) on the branches. I use a fingernail for this. 2) Light - During warm weather place the tree outside in full sun (ideally for the entire day). During cold weather take indoors and place in the brightest spot possible (Note: see item 6 Temperature below). This is essential for compact growth and good flowering. Note: Increases in light intensity should be made gradually to avoid sunburn. 3) Soil - Any well draining media will do, as they are tolerant of many soil types. I use a minimum of 40% course landscaping sand (match head size) in my mix. If you really think you need to repot use a lot of aggregate material (sand,pumice, lava etc) and I have found you can go 4-5 years or more before roots start to fill a container. Leaves reduce well as root space diminished. Really tie your tree in extra well too, it may take a whole growing season or more before the tree is really steady after a repot. Show us some color later in the year 4) Fertilizing - Any good off the shelf water-soluble fertilizer will work. Make sure it contains trace elements (I use Miracid 30-10-10). After flowering and during rapid growth, fertilize every week (I fertilize year round) at the full strength recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer for potted plants. At other times of the year once a month will suffice. Remember that the more healthy growth you can stimulate the quicker you will be able to refine your bonsai. 5) Watering - Maintain the soil moist (not wet) especially during active growth phases. It can tolerate fairly dry conditions, but you will slow its growth. Generally, a high ambient air humidity is best. 6) Temperature – Maintain bougainvillea above freezing at all times, and preferably above 50 degrees F., though it can withstand lower temperatures with no appreciable damage. 6) Pests and Ailments - Caterpillars love to eat the leaves and colorful bracts (this is what most people refer to as flowers). Use an appropriate systemic insecticide when and if needed. Chlorosis may occur if suffering from mineral deficiencies, in particular iron. This should not occur with proper fertilization and maintaining a pH that is not too high (7.0 or below to 6.5 is good). In general they are very resistant to pests. __________________ Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 arteacher3725@yahoo.com CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]: www.carlrosner.com