AusBonsai

Hey guys over the last 2 years I have collected at least 7 beautiful bougainvilleas with nice trunks and they survived with heaps of new growth everywhere then after a couple of months the whole tree dies right back down to its roots I just don't know what's going on can someone offer me some advice I'm pretty devestated over the last one that died back

From what I understand a tree can have a stored energy within a trunk/stump.

I have thought that once a tree buds after collection that it has "taken".
I've found out the hard way that this is not necessarily true.
A tree can force new buds and look as if it has taken but still die a month or so later..

I fear this may be the case for your Bougy's.

Are you sure you are not overwatering it or the media is too water logged. What media did you plant them in. I planted a bougie...no roots at all...8cm diameter...in pure sand...and it has grown and doing very fine...I use very free draining medium for them.
Coldness can affect bougie too.

What Neli said - has to be very free draining and don't water too much until established. Are you sealing any wounds to stop rot ?

Tony,
You need to see my bougies....I ended with so many...but you have taken already the name bougie fun ...For now they are my best trees, since they have the biggest trunks and are so easy. All are flowering too.

I know that one died after the really wet summer we had with 3 sunny days in that season n that was in normal bonsai mix that I bought but the others were in 50% scotia 30% diatomite n 20 in potting mix that's y I'm asking my other bougie is in the same and it's healthy I'm stumped

Size of container in relation to the root system can create also more wet conditions...like too large container...

I would be weary of the 20% potting mix in your newly collected trees pot. This could be made up of all fines. However, each tree can be different, so if it is a newly collected tree and if I have rainy weather, I usually put it under cover so it doesn't get rained on, but on the egde so the sun gets to it. I use 100% diatomite for newly collected bougies as this is very neutral, good aeration and holds moisture.

Anyway, good luck with your bougies and maybe keep an eye on the watering.

Regards

AG

Thanks guys I'm still a little nervous using 100% inorganic a but ill try n see

!00% inorganic for bougie is the best.I just use well washed very coarse river sand.Look here: no roots! Not even one.

No roots!! Maybe this is a tree for me to try!


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Plant large cuttings in spring to mid summer. Very easy.

Neli wrote:Plant large cuttings in spring to mid summer. Very easy.

Currently have one sitting in the ground waiting for the right season to dig This thread has been great for tips! Its probably only a little thicker then the one you've pictured

I went and attacked a huge bougie today...I trimmed branches, left leaders...even primary branches...I want to shape it on the tree and then just airlayer later.. If you have a chance...shape it in the ground...it will be much faster. Develop fully your trunk and even some primary branches...then dig it out.