How To Care For A Bougainvillea Bonsai Tree

There are a number of different types of bonsai trees available, but the bougainvillea bonsai is considered the one with the most differential character. The bougainvillea bonsai is a popular houseplant, and by nature it is a climbing plant, which can grow to be as large as four meters. The proper caretaking of the bougainvillea bonsai is an issue of great importance as regular maintenance is essential for keeping your bonsai healthy and looking its best.

Issues such as lighting, watering, temperature, feeding, repotting, and styling, are all of great significance and importance in regards to the bougainvillea bonsai.

Lighting and Temperature

As for lighting, this type of bonsai likes to be in full and direct sunlight, however like all bonsais you must be careful to not let the sun burn the rather delicate leaves of the plant. In regards to temperature settings, the bougainvillea is an evergreen species, which means that in colder climates it will become deciduous. This type of bonsai should be kept at a temperature of 49 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit if possible, and never below 45 degrees.

Watering

When it comes to watering, the bougainvillea bonsai likes it dry for the most part, in that it only needs to be watered sparingly. However, during the flowering period, the bonsai will require an increased amount of water.

Soil Feeding

The recommended feeding for this bonsai ranges from every week to 10 days to two weeks. You should basically be able to tell whether or not your plant needs more feeding.

Pruning and Sculpting

Feel free to prune this bonsai at any time of the year. When the plant is young make sure that you cut the new growth every month or so to promote a bushy plant. If you find that this bonsai is getting a bit big, then this is the time to cut back the branches.

Pest Control

Luckily pests are rare but still can occur. Greenfly and whitefly are easily removed with some soapy water or sprayed with insecticide.

These bonsais flower most heavily in winter and early spring, with a few that will put forth scattered clusters all year round. The colors are usually found in tones of purple, lavender, carmine, scarlet, red, pink, orange, yellow and white. Single and double forms are available, with the double forms tending to carry their blooms near the end of the stems, rather than distributing them evenly over the plant.

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