What to do with my new Bougainvillea?

legatoistheman

Hey everyone. I am now pretty hooked on bonsai(which is weird because i havent even wired my first tree yet..lol) and so i went to the bonsai nursery and bought a bougainvillea. Not sure what kind of flowers it has, all the tag says is Bougainvillea Hybrid, and i forgot to ask because i was so excited about getting it.

That being said, I have no idea what to do with it. Do i pinch off the new growth shoots? I was going to remove a couple branches, and then try my first attempt at wiring ever on it. I was going to to try to wire each branch alternately one on one side on on the next side.

I have read some of the stuff here about bougainvillea and it says that you can make it bloom at any time. Is this advisable for me?

Please can anyone give me any advice on what to do with it. I know it needs cleaned up badly, but even though im only a beginner i see some potential in it.

Here are the pics

Thanks
Legato

Attached Images

	Bougainvillea far away-low quality2.jpg (70.1 KB, 125 views)
	Bougainvillea close up-low quality.jpg (70.9 KB, 90 views)

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clrosner

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

clrosner

I just noticed that you are in Zone 6a, which means you are going to have to bring the tree in doors. That presents several problems. Humidity, heat and moving air.

I suggest you read up on indoor protection for this tropical tree.

Good luck!

__________________
Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
arteacher3725@yahoo.com

CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]:
www.carlrosner.com

legatoistheman

Thanks for the info above, I have since been looking up more stuff about it in the internet. It's a shame that i dont know exactly what color the bracts will be though. If anyone else has anymore advice please feel free to reply, as I need all the help i can get.

Thanks

legatoistheman

sorry to reply to my own reply, but is there no one else who can give me any other opinions on what to do with my bougainvillea. CLRosner gave some sound advice, but i have also heard from the man at the bonsai nursery who has worked there for seven years that you can wire bougainvillea at any time. Im really just wondering if i should pinch out the new shoots, and cut back some of the branches now or in spring.

So in summary my main questions are from seeing the pictures does anyone think i should cut off some branches now, and after i do that should i wire or should i try my first wiring now alternating the branches and see how it turns out in six months?

(p.s. Im terrified of messing the tree up. I dont want to do irreversable damage.)
thanks
legato

clrosner

I repeat... I would not do anything for at least a year.... Give the tree a chance to become used to your environment.

Don't forget this is not from our area. I'm pretty sure this tree came from florida or just north of that state.

__________________
Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
arteacher3725@yahoo.com

CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]:
www.carlrosner.com

Bonsaifreak

Agree with Carl. Let the tree establish itself before doing anything drastic. Some new growth will give you more styling options. Letting it grow may help thickinening the base as well. Wiring can be done in the future. New long vertical shhots should be trimmed back to 1 or two internodes and that eventually promotes more compact growth. These are wonderful and hardy trees but they will die if one is too aggresive before letting them establish themselves first.

Jorge

__________________
"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

legatoistheman

Thanks for the info everyone.

Boat

Hey Legatio. I was just wondering if you had an updated pic of your Bougie. I have just found your thread now. I would love to see the development.

Cheers
Clive