I used to not like bougies because I thought they're too much glam like bouquets. I love their flowers still, just not so much on bonsai unless toned down. I've seen some with few flowers or younger flowers, and I sort of like them. I mostly like bougies for their growth habit. Some have pretty smooth bark and some have rough bark. They ramify well. The Chinese and Taiwanese have make my favorite ones.
Bougies are my favorites. That is stunning.
Yeah, it has started rolling over, but too big to ever heal I think - will rot before it heals over. However, the wound under the trunk base will rot first - the drawback of Bougies. Probably a logical reason for lack of multi-generational-aged trees of this species.Sweet, but, any plans to deal with that huge raw saw cut?
Great movement in the trunk, but that's a big wound......
Hopefully I'm not being redundant, but I am trying to identify a bougainvillea species I have. I have researched Mr. Google and can't find it by the listings there. It is very young and not a grand champion, but maybe after I am gone, it will put all others to shame. The leaves are a light yellow-green, with dark green veining (it is very healthy, and rapidly putting on new growth, so I don't think the leaf veining/color is an unhealthy indication) . Bracts appear to be smaller. Not sure if the picture is good enough to see it clearly. I would appreciate someone identifying it for me & giving me some pointers if you think something is wrong with it to cause the leaf color:
I had that fertilizer thought, also. But this plant is getting fertilized on a weekly basis. My only thought was maybe the fertilizer makeup needs to be changed. Besides, that boug is growing like a weed with added leafs and bracts all the time. ????????
Okay, I have looked at my fert mix and it has negligible iron in it. I'm assuming there is not enough there for the bougainvillea. I have added some chelated iron, so we'll see how that works. I'll follow up with a photo, if it works. Otherwise I'll take a picture of the garbage can with the boug in it.Your soil mix looks good for drainage and if you are feeding it then normally yellow with green veins would mean iron deficiency.
Not sure what specific product is available as mine are not the same but I would use something that specifically treats iron deficiency, then you will get better growth and it will make ID easier too.
It is a relatively common issue with Bougies but certainly fixable.
Great article. I have followed their advice and mixed chelated iron in water and applied. I also saw one idea that over-watering can can be a cause. I am going to watch this also, but having a good bonsai soil that drains well and only watering every other day seems to help rule this out. Thanks!
