How can I tell if my bougainvillea is dead, most of the leaves have fallen off and it has not bloomed?
Question:I got it about 3 weeks ago and planted it in a new pot that allows for drainage. Since it looks so sparse, is there any hope it will come back to life? What should I do?
Answers:
Bouganivillea do not like lots of water. As long as you have some leaves, it will be OK. ulch the pot that it's in to keep it moist and add compost or fertilizer. They can handle full sun, so don't be afraid to stick it in the middle of the yard.
It might come back. Put it in the sun and water it every day or every other day, depending on your weather.
If you got it at a home store where they take returns on plants, take it back.
Don't despair yet. I have several bougainvilleas that look dead, but when I pruned them back I still see green in the woody stems. They did this last year too, and they all came back. I would hit it with some liquid fertilizer, it jump started mine.
GROWING IN CONTAINERS
Plants do best in large (5-10 gallon) clay containers if grown outdoors (clay containers tend to stay drier, thus stressing the plants) or in large handing baskets. The 10" basket is the commercial standard, but plants will do much better in 12" hanging baskets. Place the containers in full sun, or in a place where they will receive at least 1/2 day of full sun. If your bougainvillea is not blooming, it probably is not receiving enough sun or fertilizer. These plants thrive in the tropics in areas of low rainfall and intense sun and heat. Any well drained potting soil mix is suitable for growing Bougainvillea. Use a mix consisting of 4 parts of well rotted pine bark, 3 parts peat moss and 2 parts of coarse perlite. To about 5 gallons of this mix add 1/2 cup of Osmocote and 2 tablespoons of 19-5-9 slow release lawn fertilizer.
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