Funky leaves on Bougainvillea

[Carol 83]

I got this bougie from @aml1014 awhile back when he had his moving sale. I haven't done anything to it besides watering and fertilizing. It is growing, but the new leaves are different than the mature leaves. They are kind of ruffled. I've inspected the plant, and can't find any evidence of insects. I tapped the branches over white paper, no black spots. It seems to be thriving, but I am concerned about the unusual new growth. Any ideas?

 

[LanceMac10]

Might be watering a little too much. Nothing to worry about. Get it in the sun. It will appreciate it.

 

[Carol 83]

Might be watering a little too much. Nothing to worry about. Get it in the sun. It will appreciate it.

You're probably right about the watering. It's still in the nursery soil it came in, and holds water longer than my other ones. Everything is on the south side of my house and gets decent afternoon sun. But yesterday I took them all off of the stand and set them farther out on the patio to get a few more hours of sun. When we were outside watching TV last night, my husband made the comment "that's not a good place for those" We'll see....

 

[LanceMac10]

I did see that the soil looked like it would hold lots of water. They can handle being a little drier than you would expect if your not familiar with it's horticulture needs.
Being a little dry seems to encourage flowering, but that's purely anecdotal.
Observe it's reaction to it's new sun exposure and adjust your watering accordingly.

Good luck and make a cocktail!!!

 

[Carol 83]

1 Hour and 51 minutes until cocktail time, not that I'm counting or anything..

 

[GrimLore]

Sun and less water, let the top inch or two of the substrate dry. The Sun will promote flowering, shade will promote foliage. They grow best in a very loose mix and root bound. If the soil is compacted slip pot it into a slightly bigger container after just lightly raking the outer roots into a loose mix.

Grimmy

 

[Lobaeux]

All good information! Thanks guys for sharing.

 

[sorce]

no black spots.

Black spots? White paper?

I use my black sleeve and look for running dust particles.

Sorce

 

[Carol 83]

Black spots? White paper?

I use my black sleeve and look for running dust particles.

Sorce

I'm pretty sure there are no bugs. I spray anything new I get, before putting it with the others.

 

[milehigh_7]

Sounds like they got you sorted. Sorry, I'm just now seeing this. Give a shout anytime!

 

[Lobaeux]

Something got the leaves on mine, but it wasn't insects.

Iguanas.

 

[Carol 83]

Something got the leaves on mine, but it wasn't insects.

Iguanas.

View attachment 149198

Yikes! So maybe living in Florida isn't perfect.

 

[Lobaeux]

It's not perfect. But, I'll just have to be more vigilant.

 

[StoneCloud]

@sorce you should just use your SVG's

@Lobaeux Damn! I have the same issues here Iguana, lizards and squirrels. I like the pot though!

It is amazing how little water they will take. When it's in the 90's here assuming there is no rain I only water mine once a day. Been thriving and had one flower.....but then a fat lizard broke it off

 

[Starfox]

It is amazing how little water they will take. When it's in the 90's here assuming there is no rain I only water mine once a day

This is one of the reasons I always try to get Bougies out of nursery soil as soon as I can and if the season is right then no point bothering with a months acclimatisation, by far the biggest issue I have had with them is over watering soggy soil and a good bonsai mix is so much more predictable and controllable.

 

[StoneCloud]

@Starfox You are so right.

Just to throw this out there:
It's 90 today, 57% humidity and constant breeze.........I haven't watered it. Last time it got water was rain yesterday morning. so easy to care for. I have the bougy in lava,akadama and pumice with a PINCH of Pine bark LOL.

Here it is before the lizard got to it:

 

[Carol 83]

Just an update, as it sits today. The leaves are still kind of ruffly, and waxier than my other varieties. But it seems happy enough.

 

[shinmai]

Nice pot.

 

[Carol 83]

Nice pot.

Lol, I think it was $12.

 

[GrimLore]

The leaves are still kind of ruffly

One we have does that on the leafs closest to the Bracts while the others look flat. Seems normal here... I'd take a picture but I probably should cut off the foliage that got a tad of overspray from Oven Cleaner first

Grimmy