Hello,

My name is Omar and I live in San Diego. I just signed up and would like to ask for your help saving these bouganvilleas:


I believe I overwatered them for the first two weeks we had them and am hoping there's something I can do to save them!

Thanks in advance!

The pots are small and dry out very fast. Transplant after setting plants in shade to recover and water.
Pop the plant out carefully check the root ball could be root bound. If root bound the roots can get cooked on the sides of the pot. That's why it may be helpful to repot and put a cushion of soil between the roots and sides of pots. When trans planting add a hand full silicone water retention beads to the soil to hold water and add a more efficient watering schedule . On hot days these pots need to be watered several times. A larger pot with silicone beads can help eliminate dehydration or add a drip watering system for potted plants on a timer available at big box stores.

Thanks bumplbea! Interestingly enough, the baskets are already on a drip (or mist) system. The timer was automatically watering that section ~twice per week for ~15min at a time. I assumed this was what caused them to wither so quickly. I could see the water pouring out from below the baskets every time the system came on.

Omar, welcome to the forum! I regret to dampen your enthusiasm, but Bougainvillea are too happy to keep in hanging baskets in So. Cal. They want to be shrubs...the bigger, the better. There is no way to keep them happy in baskets in the long term. Fast drainage is important as they aren't water hogs, but keeping them confined in small pots will require frequent watering. They really don't like their roots disturbed, but up-potting will be necessary. Much easier to plant in the ground, or LARGE containers.