Enthusiastic gardeners who have lived in California and Florida often need reminding before they know the adaptability of many exotic plants.
Many catalogs are regular almanacs of growing information. In one such catalog, I first noted Bougainvillea was recommended for pot and window culture.
I wanted to try Bougainvillea since the catalog said it could be pruned for pot culture without hurting its free-blooming habit. I ordered a plant, and it lived up to its recommendation.
It was 12″ tall, so I planted it in a 4″ clay pot, and the following spring, when it was only 18″ inches tall, it bloomed abundantly.
Its tissue paper bracts that enclose the inconspicuous flowers are colorful and produced in long, plumose clusters on all the main vine growth.
Climbing and Spine Characteristics of Bougainvillea
These woody plants are strong-growing climbers that climb with the aid of stout, hooked spines. The spines are about 1⁄4″ inches long and are not numerous enough to be objectionable.
It was many months before I realized my plant had spines. Certain varieties have more spines than others.
Since this Bougainvillea proved so pleasant, I ordered 6″ inches dormant cuttings of other varieties from Florida and rooted them in water, a method that suited them.
From these varieties, I learned all Bougainvilleas do not have the same habit of growth and early blooming.
Rigorous pruning and branch training are necessary to promote early blooming. This is especially necessary for growing the stout purple-flowered vine.
The most familiar colors are various shades of red, orange, pink, and purple, depending on the variety.
Propagation Method
The usual method of propagation is by cuttings, but if seeds can be located, they will produce a variety of colorful blooms.
The plants are not exacting about soil requirements or moisture. Still, if compost and peat are added to good garden loam for potting mixtures, the blooming period will be prolonged and lusher, especially if moisture is adequate.
A soluble fertilizer should be added for generous blooming. Several hours of sunshine each day and a well-lighted environment are part of their culture here.
Watering and Care
During the summer, the pots are placed north of the house, where they are sheltered and get early and late sunshine. They appreciate the dew and rain and are watered with the garden hose when necessary.
If they were removed from the pots and planted in the garden for the summer, their roots would grow too deep for satisfactory repotting before frost.
If summer blooming in the pot is desired, they should be put into larger pots, sunk into the soil in a rather sunny spot, and never allowed to dry out.
44659 by Florence Knock