Comments on: Bougainvilla

By: Marketman

Marketman — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:02:42 +0000

Marian, I am not sure where you live but in general, I would not cut the bougainvilla back that much. It needs serious trimming in the tropics but not a buzz cut. Also, bougainvillas tend to bloom when under stress or duress, hence once the plant has botten leafy and healthy, if you cut back on water and let it “suffer” a bit, it tends to bloom rather nicely at that point…at least that is my experience with them and I am by no means a plant person!

By: Marian

Marian — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:18:29 +0000

Should the bougainvillas be cut down in the winter. We cut them to about 10 inches and they have grown but not flowered. We water daily, so we will stop. Thank you

By: John

John — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 03:51:32 +0000

MM, every bit of information helps. I’ll go look them up. Btw, the trees i mentioned can also be found along A. H. Lacson Street, right in front of UST (which is very near Dimasalang – just in case you happen to drop by one of these days) I’m persistent, aren’t I? LOL

By: Marketman

Marketman — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 08:00:08 +0000

John, not sure what the trees might be but I do know that the shady (except in summer) trees on the main road in the Fort are fire trees and the really shady ones on McKinley are acacias that have flowers as well… Not sure that helps though…

By: John

John — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 04:14:46 +0000

Hi MM, for the past few months I’ve noticed some trees along some roads that have beautiful small yellow or orange flowers. The trees themselves are quite beautiful, wide and shady. I was hoping you’d know the name of these trees. I think they’re similar to the ones I’ve seen along some of the roads in The Fort and also along some streets in Salcedo Village. I’m thinking of getting a small one for our backyard.

By: John

John — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 06:47:15 +0000

MM, I’ve been researching a bit on the web after i posted the question to you last night and found comments similar to yours. Thanks so much. I’m going to give it a try and hopefully it won’t be long before i’ll be sending you photos once they start blooming. Again, i really enjoy your site and will be a frequent visitor…

By: Marketman

Marketman — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:20:33 +0000

John, I am not great in the garden but I was always under the impression (rightly or wrongly) that bougainvillas need full sun and must be treated badly towards the summer months to bloom…by treated badly I mean not constantly watered. Once things start to dry out, then the plant blooms in profusion. Also, the plant is hardy and like to grow in less than perfect soil it seems.

By: John

John — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:05:21 +0000

I was just wondering if there is anything you can do to make bougainvilla plants flower. Last year we bought a bougainvilla plant from a vendor and it was blooming at that time. Its been a year since and the plant has grown but not a single bloom when i see my neighbor’s lush with flowers.

By: Lou Larouche

Lou Larouche — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:55:25 +0000

Here’s what I do with my bougainvillas;
I individually separate the flowers and scatter them haphazardly in the middle of the dinning table with some decorative pebbles. It gives a nice touch to a dinner setting. This has to be done at the last minute,though, since they kind of wilt fast!!!

By: mia

mia — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 09:45:12 +0000

Snipped off a few bougainvillea blooms off from the bush to use as a centerpiece for our dinner last night. Put them in votive candle holders as I didn’t have small vases. So very pretty! Thanks for the idea! :)