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#121434 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:00 PM
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Hi Everyone! I have moved into a little apartment with a little patch of dirt in which is growing a bougainvillea. It's not blooming despite the intense sun it gets. I read that they prefer being potted and having their roots crowded in orded to bloom better. Obviously I can not accommodate this fella in that way, so does anyone have any suggestions?

thanks!

Jen

JenT #121445 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:21 PM
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I had one I bought and put in the ground and it was withering away so I tranfered it to a hanging container pot,, and watered in with superthrive, BUT it also needs to stay wet untill roots are established,, then keep moist.

I have found it really does likes moist fertile soil( I mixed home compost with potting soil ( BUt a good rich bagged soil will be fine,)and gave and regular feeding of fish emullsion and peters fertilizer,( any blooming plant fertilizer will be fine. In full sun,, Be careful not to overwater it as it won't bloom and maybe even get root rot..

Mine began blooming with 4 weeks of the transfer,,

If you have to leave it in the ground : when you put it in ground did you water every other day for about 8 days and then every other 3 day then once a week with a deep watering,, and feed it It's probably Hungry,, What type of soil is it planted in,?? ALso If you have any bonemeal/bloodmeal I would scratch the surface of the soil and get some of that Near but NOT ON the roots,, and water in,,


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JenT #121446 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:21 PM
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I'd leave it there but water more deeply and more often.
And I'd definitely improve the soil-maybe add a 2 cubic foot bag of garden-not potting- soil.
And of course use a good balanced food once you've watered well and added the soil.
Bougainvillea is tough looking BUT it hates having its roots disturbed.

DeborahL #121447 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:22 PM
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Angel, we posted at the same time. Hi !

DeborahL #121448 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:24 PM
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HEyyyyyyyy Hi wavy We sure did!!!!!!! I hope between Us and advice , her plant perks up and gives blooms!!!!! thumbup flwr


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angelblossom #121449 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:26 PM
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I'm glad yours did well even though you had to pot it-it can be iffy on the roots. You're a good bougainvillea mom !

DeborahL #121456 Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:47 PM
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thumbup thanks Deborah I believe superthrive really does help with any tranpotting of anything,,

I didn't disturbe the roots I dug around the roots and lifted it up and into the hanger and packed compost and potting soil mix around and on top,, maybe Lucky?? maybe skill?? why lol what ever it was,,,,,,,, worked!! thumbup



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angelblossom #121460 Aug 30th, 2007 at 10:33 PM
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It's the dear Lord wanting you to have a nice bougainvillea ! angel

DeborahL #121795 Aug 31st, 2007 at 05:27 PM
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grin


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angelblossom #122039 Sep 1st, 2007 at 09:38 AM
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Thanks for the advice! I didn't move it. The plant is well established, but obviously neglected. The leaves are wilted somewhat and some are just a touch yellow. No one has looked after it for a long time.

I can't move it because the base is quite large and the plant is growing nicely up the fence.

The soil is very poor. The only thing that is planted in that area right now is a thriving rosemary bush, which I understand really loves poor soil. I have started working in some redwood conditioner in the rest of the bed, but none very near the boug. (I pulled a muscle in my back, so all my work is slow and steady!)

I have taken to watering it slowly and deeply over the next week or two to see how it responds. The spines and stems are still strong- a testament to the plant's hardiness!

I'll look for some good food at my local nursery.

Any thing else you can think of is appreciated; I do love a good challenge!

JenT #122150 Sep 1st, 2007 at 01:04 PM
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Do you have any fertilizer on hand?? OR even epsom salt? Epsom salt promote blooms and adds to the soil content as well Again scratch the surface of the soil and spinkle some of it on and water in, I use epsom salts on even my house plants!!!!!!! It's good for flowers and houseplants,, Not good for sage tho......... Gonna try to find that link and post it for ya!.......


http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_benefits.htm


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angelblossom #122202 Sep 1st, 2007 at 04:09 PM
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Wow! Who knew? I will give it a try. Thanks!

JenT #123723 Sep 4th, 2007 at 04:45 PM
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boougs need regular water & lots of sun to bloom constantly


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RugbyHukr #133684 Sep 25th, 2007 at 05:29 AM
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Mine has done crappy this year...hanging basket..variegated.I'll proably just go on and trim it...it useually reblooms in the GH most of the winter just paler colored flowers.I added compost to it saturday.(I just wish my compost would keep UP with me!I'm out again,but pile is sifted and filling again.)Lost my pink one last year,think I let it stay too dry over the winter.


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