Yeah, the branches on my plant are rather sturdy, not soft like with my mandevilla that is so easy to weave.

My bougainvillea thoroughly enjoyed our rains two days ago, lot of new bracts and just enjoying our cool sunny conditions, quite better growth this year



Oh a nice bloom in this corner:

Really is a lovely plant! Glad it's looking happy.

Lovely indeed! Still waiting on mine to get busy and make me some flowers.

Day & Night, trying to help my Bougainvillea survive the cold:
Upper photo moving it to as much sun and natural light; by night time, moving it nearer to the house with some lighting thru our porch light.

My bougainvillea wake up waiting game:
04 Feb 2016 - so dead looking...

But there is one area with some green, so my hope is not too low!


01Mar2016
Still not too alive looking,but.....


Saw this sweet new growth!..It is slowly waking up! Woohoo!!

I just winter mine over indoors **. 2 of 3 do quite well. One lost > 80 % of leaves. They will take off when I get them outdoors.

** 2 are THORNY

Mine started blooming a few weeks ago. I'm going to have to take this guy to the plant spa as it seems like its declining.

I thought this plant will hold on much longer its leaves this winter seeing it took its sweet time to drop the leaves..but I guess cold is cold..it really does not really like the mid 30's so off to sleep it went.

I just felt so relieved it is coming back once more. It seemed so bare compared to the other years. This weekend will be a rainy weekend, I hope it likes its first taste of rain in March.

I don't know if these guys have a 'shelf life' or not. I keep trying to root cuttings with no success.

Glad I have this thread to chronicle how it grows here in my area..so March is the typical new leaf growth time, though last year it was a tad later in April. And now back to March.

Anne, when did you get the cuttings? Maybe it is just the timing when you got it?? But I have not tried that either, still getting to know the quirks of this plant.

I've tried pretty much every time of the year .. even tried the cloning machine taking the cuttings in the Fall .. mine is going down hill so fast that I don't dare take cuttings .. I'll try one of my 'plant spa' routines which is removing all the dirt from the roots, pruning off old dead roots and letting it sit in half strength fertilizer for an hour or so then potting it up in fresh potting mix. I'm scared to do any pruning to any of the live branches like I normally do for plants like roses that get this treatment. The 'spa' treatment works really well on woody plants that are unhappy campers.

I remember at the nursery where I got this plant, I was advised to be careful with the roots. It hates being disturbed too much. So I was careful during repot, not teasing the roots during repot. I often spread the roots of most of my new plants to help them..but with my bougainvillea I did not do that, heeding the advice of the nursery folks.

Saw this article about the bougainvillea roots: http://www.ehow.com/about_6706...

Wowza! Thanks for the heads up and link! I'm going to have to rethink this.

I'm coming late to this thread, but it is very interesting. Never heard of "plant spa", Anne.
Sounds like a good treatment for the right plants. I had forgotten the point Tarev brought up about Bougainvillea not liking roots to be disturbed.

We live in the desert and have had bougainvillea for years. They are tough plants. We've had years with hard freezes and they get trimmed back in the spring, only to regrow beautifully.

I've read that watering plants with peroxide added to the water can give more oxygen to the roots and help distressed plants. Don't know if this would help or not. I have been watering all of my indoor plants with this mixture and they love it!

That is good to know Mary! Hmm..I think I tried the peroxide method one time, only to try and save another plant, an amaryllis..but it seemed to hasten the casualty..so maybe should remember to do it for the healthy ones only!

Are your bougainvilleas in ground?? Mine is just in a container, just trying to see how far along it will live there. It has survived being tossed out by the winds one time..sure is a toughie!

Hi Tarev....some are in the ground next to a block wall...VERY HOT in the summer and the coolest place in the winter. A couple are in the ground near the house. Rescued one last fall from Lowe's and it is in a pot. I have to watch my husband since he does the pruning and hates the thorns. He would rather not have any Thank goodness, I have veto power

All of your plants look so nice and well cared for. Love the color of your bougainvillea

My indoor plants are now so green with the peroxide water. I even have two phalenopsis orchids which were grocery store rescues that are reblooming now! That is a first for me. Maybe serendipity!

Hmm..now I am trying to think which ones I can experiment with the peroxide..

I have to watch my hubby when he waters around here or tries to move my plants to other spots!

Bougainvillea raspberry ice is leafing nicely now! Woohoo! Truly back from its slumber!

I have 3 - 2 look like xxxx. One looks great and recently bloomed in my Living room. One in garage and 1 in basement. Can't wait to get them back outside.

Tarev - I think I have that one.