Any ideas on how to make my bouganvillea more robust?

Question

I live in San Diego. The soil in my yard is clay though (North Park was built on a clay bed). I cut them back occassionally, have fertilized occassionally, and weed frequently. I water about 3 times a week. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Bougainvilleas thrive on drier conditions, and bloom especially well after a dry spell, then a sudden shower. Watering 3 times a week will probably not encourage robust flowering. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering. It is better to underwater than overwater the bougainvillea since it likes dry conditions; I heard that sometimes waiting till the leaves shrink a little before watering helps, though might be tricky cuz if left too long unwatered, the plant might die. Resume normal watering when the flowers appear.

Most importantly, they need full sunlight, like 6-8 hours a day is good. They are best planted in a relatively small pot first, rather than on a bed (like if you just bought them from a nursery or a young plant). Repot into just slightly larger pots when you find that it is necessary. Plant mature plants into the ground if the winters there are not too harsh, but I prefer pots. Likewise, burnt soil/ pinebark compost mixed with normal potting mix is recommended (the burnt soil is used so the soil isn't too sticky & don't retain water). Just make sure there's good drainage.

Fertilize every 5 weeks after each flowering cycle. I would prefer slow release fertilizers to soluble ones so you don't have to water the plant whenever you need to fertilize it but it's up to you. Use soluble fertilizers maybe in summer. You can tell if you have overfertilized when there're lots of big leaves but no flowers.

Answer 2

i gave mine that was stunted and just about dead some fertilizer high in potassium and then straight potassium(potash) a month later. It is now growing profusely and covered in flowers

Answer 3

dont water so much, buy a bag of rich black soil and put around them, epsom salt helps makes them grow

Answer 4

They thrive on benign neglect.