Can bougainvillea be bonsai?
Bougainvillea’s natural ability to adapt to the bonsai technique makes it an excellent choice for creating miniature masterpieces. Its vibrant bracts (that come in pink, purple, red, and orange colors) and tiny leaves make it visually appealing and rewarding to shape.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the initial fundamental process of crafting your very own bougainvillea bonsai.
For the care guide, you can read Bougainvillea bonsai care – This guide provides all the details about best location, pruning method and time, repotting schedule, watering frequency, pest management and much more.
Selecting the Right Bougainvillea
When choosing a bougainvillea for bonsai, look for a healthy, young plant with a sturdy trunk and well-spaced branches. Avoid older plants with thick, woody stems, as they are harder to shape.
If you are planning to grow your own bougainvillea by propagating cutting, you can grow the plant by using both hardwood and softwood cuttings.
Remember, hardwood cuttings are much more preferable if you live in a colder climate.
Softwood cuttings are preferred for warmer climates.
After propagating the cuttings, in 3-4 months you will have a healthy plant that is ready to be trained as a bonsai tree. Please read How to grow Bougainvillea Bonsai from Cuttings for a detailed guide.
Pot and Soil Selection
Opt for a shallow bonsai pot with good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Please read What kind of pot is best for bonsai tree?. This article will give you an in-depth analysis, tips and tricks on bonsai pot selection.
As for soil, a mix of well-draining components like Akadama, pumice, and lava rock will promote healthy root growth. I have mentioned few bougainvillea bonsai soil recipes you can use in THIS article.
Root Pruning and Repotting the plant
After your plant is accustomed to your local environment, you can train it as a bonsai in the same pot. You can also transfer it to a bonsai training pot or a final bonsai pot.
If you have grown your plant from a cutting on a growing bed, you will need to repot it in a new/bigger pot.
Even if you have grown a single plant on a growing bed, it is not a good idea to train a bonsai on that. Because one of the fundamental ideas of growing a bonsai is growing the plant in a restricted space. This is where the roots have just the right amount of or slightly smaller space to grow.
Trim the roots and branches of your bougainvillea to encourage compact growth and strengthen the root system. Be mindful of the ⅓ rule – avoid removing more than ⅓ of the root mass or foliage at once.
Carefully transfer your trimmed bougainvillea plant into the pot, ensuring the roots are well-spread. Fill the pot with the prepared bonsai soil mix and water thoroughly.
Continue reading how to repot a bonsai tree.
Wiring and Shaping
Since the plant is young, shaping the plant or even wiring the plant is going to be very easy.
Using aluminum or copper wire, gently bend and shape the branches of your bougainvillea to achieve your desired bonsai style. Ensure not to wrap the wire too tightly to avoid damaging the branches.
Continue reading how to wire a bonsai tree for a detailed guide – This guide provides you everything you need to know about wiring bonsai trees, plus advance tips and tricks.
Initial Training (Year 1-2): In the first year or two, focus on pruning and shaping the young bougainvillea plant to establish the basic structure of the bonsai. Pinch back new growth regularly to encourage branching and create the bonsai’s desired shape.
Having a clear idea of what bonsai style you are going for is a good idea at this stage. When the plant is at this stage, it is easy to shape the tree into a desired bonsai shape, especially a cascade or semi-cascade bonsai style. Continue reading Bonsai styles and Bonsai style chart.
When you understand the bonsai style, it will be easier to determine where to prune and where to focus energy for maximum thickening and growth.
However, even if are not sure about which bonsai style you will go for, its fine. You can shape the plant at later stage. Keep in mind that it will take more time.
Intermediate Training (Year 3-4): By the third or fourth year, the bougainvillea bonsai should start to take on a more defined form. Continue refining the shape through pruning and wiring branches as needed.
If you are still growing the plant in a trainer pot, you can transfer the plant to a bonsai pot now.
Advanced Training (Year 5 and beyond): After five years or more of training, your bougainvillea bonsai will begin to mature and exhibit the characteristic gnarled trunk and graceful branches of a well-developed bonsai tree.
Light, Temperature and watering
Where to grow bougainvillea bonsai
Place your bougainvillea bonsai in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight, preferably 6-8 hours a day. This bonsai is considered as an outdoor bonsai. Give it as much light as possible. High amount of light is crucial for the plant to produce flowers.
Bougainvillea plant requires a light level of at-least 2000 LUX (just in case you plan to keep the bonsai indoors on a bright window). A south facing window, windowsill or balcony is advisable.
Bougainvillea is a zone 10-11 plant. You will need to provide protection to the plant from extreme temperatures, especially you live in zone 9 or lower. Bougainvilleas are sensitive to frost.
Temperature for bougainvillea bonsai
The ideal temperature for Bougainvillea plant is 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). In the winter, try and keep the plant in a temperature range of 46-59°F (8-15°C). Continue reading Bougainvillea Bonsai Winter Care.
Watering will depend on the local temperature. The higher the temperature, the more watering frequency. Bad watering routine will lead to low or inconsistent flowering.
Remember, inducing a slight water stress on the plant will make it bloom more. My Bougainvillea bonsai care guide has all the details about how to water and feed Bougainvillea bonsai.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Let’s address some common problems you may face with your young bougainvillea bonsai and how to tackle them.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves could indicate overwatering or underwatering. Check the soil moisture and adjust your watering accordingly.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and whiteflies. Treat your bonsai with insecticidal soap or neem oil to combat infestations. Please read the in-depth guide for bonsai pest and diseases identification and treatment for more details. Also, read best practices to keep your bonsai pest free.
Wilting and Dropping Bracts
Wilting and dropping bracts may be a sign of underwatering or exposure to cold temperatures. Adjust watering and move your bonsai to a warmer location.
How long to grow bougainvillea bonsai
The time it takes to grow a bougainvillea bonsai can vary depending on several factors, including the starting size of the plant, the desired final size of the bonsai, and the level of care provided.
Generally, it takes several years to develop a bougainvillea bonsai that exhibits the classic characteristics of a well-trained bonsai tree.
Bougainvillea plants are fast growers. If you have grown a young plant from cuttings, in about 1 to 1.5 years you should have a decently structured young bonsai tree.
However, to have a mature bougainvillea bonsai tree with a thick trunk (approximately 3 inch diameter trunk), it will take almost 10-15 years.
