How do you make bougainvillea bloom?

the plants are green and growing good but are not blooming

How do you make bougainvillea bloom?
First, it can depend on where you live. In cooler climates there won't be as much bloom.


Second - everything is blooming very LATE this year. Are these new plants you put in last fall?


Third - bouganvillas like cool roots and bright hot sun on the leaves and potential flower area. They will hardly bloom at all if they are in shade much of the day.


Fourth: their blooming times are unpredictable. I am in Southern California near the beach, and mine really poured out blooms in May/June. Now they are all falling off and it will be green for a while. Then they will bloom again if the hot weather stays thru October. After that just sporadic blooming until it gets warm enough again.


If you have good green growth, and it is not turning yellow from too much water, all you need is hot sun and patience. Perhaps the plants are not mature enough? They can use a LITTLE general flower food.


And - it depends on the color of the flower. My yellow one will NOT grow up and be a big yellow floral display, while next to it I have two huge rose-color bouganvillas that have to be pruned excessively every year. Why? I don't know.


Long answer, but there are so many variables. You are welcome to write me.
Reply:In my experience Bougainvilleas get green and leafy with lots of water. Only water them when they are about to wilt you will get more flowers. Good luck.
Reply:You need to keep them dry almost to the point of stressing them in order to trigger color production.
Reply:I have a bougainvilla in a hanging pot and have found that as long as it is kept watered it will bloom. I live in Lake Charles and it seems to work for me , you might try and see if it will work for you. I am orriginaly from Houston area and love these plants.
Reply:i have two, mine are vines, thought i like the bush-looking ones, too.


i have mine in a south facing room but not in direct light (high filtered light??) they seem to bloom, for me anyway, spring and fall. at least twice a year anyway. i water them once a week but not before checking to see if it's dried out a bit. mine are 6feet tall.


hope that helps
Reply:Well, I have planted quite a few, and did nothing special and they all bloomed.Check for air pockets in your hole.
Reply:The plant needs lots of sunshine, as much as the day provides. I have mine on the west side of my house and it has plenty of growth and showing blooms. Do not overwater, let it dry out before you water.

ben