#121434
Aug 30th, 2007 at 09:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
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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
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001
A Gnome's Best Friend
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A Gnome's Best Friend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001 |
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,,
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953 |
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.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953 |
Angel, we posted at the same time. Hi !
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001
A Gnome's Best Friend
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A Gnome's Best Friend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001 |
HEyyyyyyyy Hi We sure did!!!!!!! I hope between Us and advice , her plant perks up and gives blooms!!!!!
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953 |
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 !
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001
A Gnome's Best Friend
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A Gnome's Best Friend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001 |
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?? what ever it was,,,,,,,, worked!!
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,953 |
It's the dear Lord wanting you to have a nice bougainvillea !
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001
A Gnome's Best Friend
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A Gnome's Best Friend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001 |
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 24
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 24 |
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!
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001
A Gnome's Best Friend
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A Gnome's Best Friend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30,001 |
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
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 24
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 24 |
Wow! Who knew? I will give it a try. Thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,280
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,280 |
boougs need regular water & lots of sun to bloom constantly
I love the sweet scents wafting in the breeze. I stop to admire the vibrant colors of all living things. And people think me odd. Then ODD I am!!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,847
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,847 |
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.
I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!
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