Semi - cascade Bougainvillea

[Jon Chown]

As my 2009 new year resolution is to try to get more style into my trees, I thought that I would discuss this bougy with you.

Bougainvillea.jpg

You can see that I have largly let this tree do its own thing, partly because I like the flowers and the colour that it ads to my courtyard but also because the tree has always had a double crown (mostly hidden by flower bracts). This double crown has always anoyed me and so this year I took the big step and cut it out. Now I have to encourage and promote the branches that grow from the right side of the remaining apex to grow over the cascade.

23-12-08 022.jpg

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

Jon

[Asus101]

looks good, and no signs (from the photo) of nasty thorns..

two questions,
How often do you water? I have been told the less water given ( enough to keep it alive) the more they flower.

Next repot, will you allow the bottom branch to remain touching on the pot lip?

[PeterW]

Feed it now Jon (today) and next weekend defoliate it (make sure its healthy first) and then take a good look at it and plan its future. That was supposed to be my day today with 2 big bougs and one little boug, but my head hurts too much...

[MelaQuin]

Just remember, you ask.... I don't like the semi cascade branch. Yes, I am looking at a photo and not the real thing, but from the photo it looks clunky, heavy, and thicker than the main trunk. I would put a white cloth over it, shudder heavily at the immediate loss of blossom area, and then look at the tree with the idea of expanding the top to form a wider crown and thus get your flower surface back.

I also don't like the pot with this tree. Nice pot and I can see the supposed connection with the blossom motif on the front panel, but I just don't feel the two are 'comfortable' together. A darker colour, wonderful if you could get a mottled blue-red glaze and I have seen this - tho not in a semi cascade pot. But the two together don't do anything for me, anything positive that is. The pot isn't bad... but I believe you could do better for the tree. A deep midnight blue...

But I would be photoshopping that lower branch.

I am one of Those who feels flowers are an added ornament that beautify a tree but its structure should be the main focus. But I am sure I am in the minority in this feeling. However... you asked.

[MelaQuin]

If you got rid of the semi-cascade branch than you could go for a deepish oval pot that possibly could be found in a colour that compliments the tree better [to my way seeing].

If you are happy with the tree as is, ignore all the above and the previous post.

[Jon Chown]

How often do you water? I have been told the less water given ( enough to keep it alive) the more they flower.

Next repot, will you allow the bottom branch to remain touching on the pot lip?

Hi Asus, Believe it or not, I water this tree daily as everything else. I have found that when the tree is pot bound they tend to flower more profusely.
In answer to your second question, believe it or not I have just repotted this one but due to the size of the pot and the amount of soil used, it has settled and droped from my original potting position. Just another snafu from my part.

Jon

[Asus101]

I think this tree might work in a scoop pot. The first apex doesnt go straight up, and the bottom apex doesnt go too far past the pot lip. A scoop could work with the current "slipped into" position.

[Jon Chown]

Thanks Peter - I will feed as you suggest and defoliate (although it is loosing all of its leaves due to the recent repot)

but my head hurts too much...

See the Padre at the front gate, I have no time for self inflicted wounds.

Jon

[Jon Chown]

Lee, I welcome your comments as much as anyone elses and I agree with much of what you say in particular in relation to the pot compatability or lack of it.

My problem up here is that as the pot is 500mm x 330mm there just isn't the selection that I would like to choose from. I picked this one up for $45.00 at one of the Bonsai shows and I guess until something better comes along, I am stuck with it.

On the cascading branch being thicker that the apex, I wasn't aware that this was a styling criteria and believe me when I say without it the rest of the tree would only be fit for the tip.

We will have to wait and see what can be made of second class stock in time.

Jon

[MelaQuin]

I've had third class stock turn into first rate bench stock and I am sure this will also. But as far as the branch thickness goes.. I am sure that one branch should be dominant and with the strength of the upright... it should be that one. But there's many a tree looking magnificent with faults so I wouldn't worry. That's the nice thing about opinions - you can listen, evaluate and do what you damn well want. And so it should be.

[mudlarkpottery]

Hi jon. What about something like this?
The actual colour is darker. PeterW has a pot with the same colour. He might be able to post a photo with a better colour.
Penny.

PICT0001.JPG

[mudlarkpottery]

Or something like this one? Again, the colour's not quite right.
Penny.

PICT0001.JPG

[PeterW]

Thanks Peter - I will feed as you suggest and defoliate (although it is loosing all of its leaves due to the recent repot)

but my head hurts too much...

See the Padre at the front gate, I have no time for self inflicted wounds.

Jon

How long ago did you repot? Is it healthy? It looks to me like it just needs some branch selection. Sometimes the cascading branches can be difficult to get going but i think yours either needs to be longer or the rest of the tree needs to be made more compact.
Thanks for your simpathy mate! Penadol are great arnt they! lol
Peter

[aaron_tas]

NICE POTS PENNY

i think the colours should go pretty well with the bogo.

[Jon Chown]

Hey Penny, I missed your post. I like the pot on the RH side in the first photo and I recon I could do something with the second one with the cascade over the point in the rim, but you're right the green glaze may not compliment the pink flowers. What size are those pots?

Jon