Bougie Question

[AaronThomas]

Hey all!
So I have read that bougies will not flower from old wood... does this mean that they will not send out new leaves from old wood? I'm starting to get some bare areas that wont seem to fill in. My vine always seems to look at its worst this time of year!
Thanks!

 

[Cadillactaste]

People have created bonsai from old bougainvillea stumps with no foliage what so ever...do you offer this tree a good cut back after blooms have spent? Cutting back encourages back budding.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Oh, beautiful tree...gotta love those colorful bracts!

 

[AaronThomas]

do you offer this tree a good cut back after blooms have spent?

Hi Darlene! Thanks for the response!!!
I have been pinching off a bit of new growth as it comes in but not a serious cutting back after blooms. So... is there no need to worry about cutting all the way back to old wood? This Bougie has some level of bracts on it year round... but fall and winter she really pops!

People have created bonsai from old bougainvillea stumps with no foliage what so ever

Here is a pic of the vine the day I "rescued" her from the neighbors landscaper 2 years ago....
I have been very happy with they way she has come along!!!


Early last fall.....

 

[Cadillactaste]

You have done great with it! No you don't have to cut back all the way to old wood.

 

[theone420]

it should pop a bud in that spot eventually. as you can see from how the tree was nothing when you started it will bud from old wood and with time it should bud where you need. my bougies throw new buds all the time on old wood and new wood. All i have to do is figure out the design part and ill be happy.

 

[AaronThomas]

You have done great with it! No you don't have to cut back all the way to old wood.

Thank you! I may have to cut back to old wood to keep its shape.

 

[AaronThomas]

it should pop a bud in that spot eventually. as you can see from how the tree was nothing when you started it will bud from old wood and with time it should bud where you need. my bougies throw new buds all the time on old wood and new wood. All i have to do is figure out the design part and ill be happy.

Awesome to hear! Those bare spots were starting to worry me! Thank you @theone420

 

[AaronThomas]

One last question.... Is there a time of year best for "hard" pruning or is once the bracts start to fall off a good time?
Thanks!

 

[Carol 83]

After flowering is a good time, and when it's hot. They'll bounce back quickly. And I'm sure it's plenty hot in AZ.

 

[theone420]

One last question.... Is there a time of year best for "hard" pruning or is once the bracts start to fall off a good time?
Thanks!

I have been hearing spring or the hot summer like now for a hard prune, but they can be lightly pruned throughout the year.

There is some great info here too - https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/are-you-a-bouger.25955/

 

[Anthony]

Shhh, Bougainvilleas are Sub-Tropical
Factor in for a rest period.
The Zone knows

 

[AaronThomas]

After flowering is a good time, and when it's hot. They'll bounce back quickly. And I'm sure it's plenty hot in AZ.

Excellent! Oh yes LOL 114 last week....BLAH!

 

[AaronThomas]

I have been hearing spring or the hot summer like now for a hard prune, but they can be lightly pruned throughout the year.

There is some great info here too - https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/are-you-a-bouger.25955/

Thanks so much... ill check out that thread!

 

[AaronThomas]

The Zone knows

Thanks Anthony!