Don looked at a spectacular red-flowering variety of bougainvillea called ‘Scarlett O’Hara’. This particular plant had been pruned back hard on one side and as a result it had produced lots of rampant, thorny growth. The unpruned side was covered in gorgeous, red flowers.
Thorns or flowers?
Don explained that hard pruning of bougainvilleas is generally not recommended, because it makes the plants stop flowering and they then go into a strong, vegetative growth phase. Bougainvilleas in such a growth phase produce long, curved thorns in the leaf axils rather than flowers. These thorns enable them to get a grip on tree branches and scramble up towards the light.
Encouraging flowers
How much your bougainvillea flowers depends on how it is treated. These plants are very hardy and will survive without much water or fertiliser. In fact, they thrive on neglect, and will put on a fabulous flower display for many months as long as they receive plenty of sunshine and are grown in a warm position. If you must prune to control the plant, prune lightly at the end of the flowering period.
If your bougainvillea is already thorny and far too big, you may have no option but to prune heavily. After pruning it is a good idea to apply a product such as ‘Better Bloom’, which slows down growth and tends to produce flowers.
Further information
Better Bloom, Bloom Booster, Extra Bloom and similar products are available from nurseries and garden centres. Price range: $7-$14.
Better Bloom is available from selected nurseries in NSW. Cost: 250 ml bottle – $7, 500 ml bottle – $11, 1L bottle – $14. For more information phone Richlea Enterprises on (02) 9620 8511.
For full details about growing bougainvilleas refer to Jan Iredell’s books:
The Bougainvillea Growers Handbook and Growing Bougainvilleas published by Simon & Schuster. (These books are currently out of print, but you may find a copy at your local library.)
