Technical Sheet - Bougainvillea

Common Name: : Bougainvillea

Scientific Name: Bougainvillea Glabra and Bougainvillea spectabilis

Characteristics: Originating from South America, it belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae.

It has marcescent leaves when grown in mild climates and deciduous where it is colder. It is a fast-growing plant; its flowers range from shades of pink to red depending on the variety. Currently, there are varieties in yellow and even white.

The coloration we so much appreciate is actually not from the flower, but from 3 bracts (modified leaves) that protect the true flower; the small yellow tubes inside the flower are the real flowers.

There are 2 varieties that are transformed into Bonsai:

Bougainvillea Glabra grows more like a "climber," producing very strong shoots and many thorns to cling, with slightly larger leaves, a paler green, and a different tone between the upper and lower sides of the leaf. It produces an abundant flowering like "clusters" at the branch tips in shades of pink-fuchsia-purple.

The Bougainvillea Spectabilis has a more shrubby behavior with smaller, dark green leaves, is more compact and slower growing with far fewer thorns. It produces smaller flowers, grouped closer to the canopy. This variety is slightly more cold-resistant.

Location: In Mediterranean and mild climates, it should live outdoors all year round as long as it is protected from strong winds and frost, requiring at least 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight, and should be rotated 180° weekly.

In areas with harsher winters, it is advisable to protect it during winter in an indoor area without any type of heating (e.g., a sunroom), close to a well-exposed window with a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of sunlight, and it should be rotated 180° weekly.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a lot of water drains out of the drainage holes to moisten the soil evenly, always from above, never by immersion, using a fine-spout watering can.

For watering tips, see the watering technical sheet.

Let the surface layer of soil dry slightly between each watering (to confirm if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).

There is no benefit to misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others in our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, please consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: We should not allow shoots to elongate too much, except when we want to form new branches; this way we can control that flowers appearing at the branch tips stay close to the tree. Let them grow 4 to 5 leaves and prune at the 2nd leaf as a good guideline.

For pruning tips, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil in February/March, with strong partial defoliation.

For details on transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, please consult the transplanting technical sheet.

Wiring: It can be wired all year round.

For wiring instructions, please consult the wiring technical sheet.