When to divide a Bougie?

[Mapleminx]

So at Christmas I had a veeeeery pretty variegated bougainvillea arrive bare-rooted from Spain. It got trapped in the holiday mail and spent around a week in a box. Naturally it suffered some shock and after a dramatic leaf drop is now FINALLY starting to show signs of recovery.

When it arrived I just placed it straight into a pot and disturbed it as little as humanly possible. I was planning to just have it as a bush, however after staring at bare sticks for some weeks I realize it’s actually quite twisted and pretty, and I know it’s 2 separate root entwined plants from when I potted it up.

The thing is I have decided I would actually like to separate them and possibly attempt to develop one or both towards Bonsai. Obviously now is not the time for this as it is still recovering from its transportation and transplant shock. But what time of year may be a good candidate for disturbing it again with minimal impact?

 

[penumbra]

Late spring to early summer.

 

[Mapleminx]

Late spring to early summer.

Thank you

 

[Mapleminx]

well apparently I won’t have to worry about which one I like the most, one didn’t recover from the transport shock. I had thought both were leafing out but on closer inspection all growth is on the same plant.
Oh well, at least one made it! Hash have to untangle it from the dead one later in the year

 

[Carol 83]

well apparently I won’t have to worry about which one I like the most, one didn’t recover from the transport shock. I had thought both were leafing out but on closer inspection all growth is on the same plant.
Oh well, at least one made it! Hash have to untangle it from the dead one later in the year

Don't give up too quickly! I have had bougies that I completely gave up for dead surprise me and bounce back. They are tough, only over watering insures death.

 

[August]

They are tough, only over watering insures death.

oh doh... Think I know why my bougie is withering now I've had a feeling for a little while... Thanks coach

 

[penumbra]

Don't give up too quickly! I have had bougies that I completely gave up for dead surprise me and bounce back. They are tough, only over watering insures death.

One of my better bougies is completely bare every winter.

 

[Carol 83]

One of my better bougies is completely bare every winter.

Really? Mine seem to love the lights.

 

[Eckhoffw]

One of my better bougies is completely bare every winter.

Same.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Really? Mine seem to love the lights.

Carol, may I ask what temp yours live in through winter?
I know you enjoy yours all winter, mine starts calling it quits while still outside in fall.

I’m guessing there are lots of varying factors to this though.

 

[SWfloirda]

Here in Florida if you have a sprinkler system they are evergreen but if you don't they are deciduous, dropping their leaves during the dry season. Of course that's the in ground plants. I've been a little perplexed why some of mine in containers drop all their leaves when I still water them but they always come back. So far.

 

[Carol 83]

Carol, may I ask what temp yours live in through winter?
I know you enjoy yours all winter, mine starts calling it quits while still outside in fall.

I’m guessing there are lots of varying factors to this though.

The thermostat is on a timer, so 64 until 4:30 when I get home, when it goes up to 70. After 10 it goes down to 68 for the night. The first few years they started throwing off their leaves as soon as they were brought inside. The last couple of years I've let them get a bit more chill, like into the low 40's before bringing them in. I don't know if that has any bearing but I barely have any leave drop anymore. Even the husband noticed, since that was a big pet peeve of his.

 

[Eckhoffw]

The thermostat is on a timer, so 64 until 4:30 when I get home, when it goes up to 70. After 10 it goes down to 68 for the night. The first few years they started throwing off their leaves as soon as they were brought inside. The last couple of years I've let them get a bit more chill, like into the low 40's before bringing them in. I don't know if that has any bearing but I barely have any leave drop anymore. Even the husband noticed, since that was a big pet peeve of his.

Dang. That’s contrary to what I was thinking. I thought maybe I was letting them get too cold in the fall, or bringing them in too late.

Just starting to see new growth on mine.

 

[Carol 83]

Dang. That’s contrary to what I was thinking. I thought maybe I was letting them get too cold in the fall, or bringing them in too late.

Just starting to see new growth on mine.

Sorry... When I brought them in as soon as lows got to 50, they literally dropped every leaf and bloom within a few days, it was a mess. Maybe leaving them out longer, they get used to getting less sun as the days shorten so it's not such a shock to come in? Not sure what the secret sauce is.