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Tropical Plants

Need help with my bougainvilleas PLEASE

8 years ago

The leaves on my bourgainvilleas are curling and puckering. There is absolutely no disease on the leaves that I can see and despite the abundance of greenery, there are very few flowers. Only one is getting a full 5 to 6 hours of sun per day but the climate is hot; I've watered and allowed them to dry out, so I am confused. One is discoloured and the leaves on the normal plant now starting to bloom pic 3, are beginning to turn yellow - I am really at the end of my tether - can anyone help me PLEASE??

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Comments (4)

secretsquirrel007
8 years ago
Well I think your biggest problem is not enough sun.They like more sunlight.They like a good drink.Don't think that is your problem.They are also heavy feeders.Most big box stores sell mix just for them.With out it.No flowers.
tropicbreezent
8 years ago
Bougainvilleas aren't heavy feeders, they thrive better on neglect provided they have it hot. Giving them fertiliser, especially with a lot of nitrogen, inhibits flowering. Poor drainage affects them badly, you should check the soil. The distorted leaves could be from sap sucking insect damage.
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Michael Pivola
8 years ago
Hi CYPRUSMAGIC!

i need to agree with TROPICBREEZENT. I have had many for years living in fort lauderdale for well over 30 years.

Bougainvilleas DO NOT feed heavy. the DO respond differently to different soils as an plant would. provide shaded dirt so it remains cool at the base and let the plant get at least partial sun when it is young. Once established, it will take off. as far as fertilizer, i just fertilize my lawn with 6-6-6 and let it go. this gets spread by my spreader around the base of the plant. i even let weeds grow around the base of the tree. when the plant was 3 feet tall i cut it back to 2 feet and let the root establish.

thrips will cause the leaf damage. spray the plants with a 1:2 solution of liquid dish soap and water.

pivola3@gmail
Michael Pivola
8 years ago
CONTINUATION FROM LAST POST...Also, that plant needs to be trimmed. trim the shape,ie.circular ,around the outside but DO NOT TOP IT. maybe trim up under the plant so the leafs and spiky branches do not touch the ground. also leaf damage will occur from the branches being tangled from wind action and the thorns on the branches-this is natrual... you can 'unwind them' but as you know, probably will get cut. I have many scars from dealings with my Bougainvilleas' thorns and NO even welders gloves will not stop the thorns so do not take comfort with gardening gloves which WILL get tangled.

My bush sent runners up a nearby avacado tree and now remains 20-25 feet up in my royal palm. it provides a nice purple bloom in the top of that palm and i use it as a landmark to get folks to my home.

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