Re: bouganvillea in trouble
- Subject: Re: bouganvillea in trouble
- From: T* a* M* R*
- Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 11:39:43 +1300
marianoo@wanadoo.es wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> We have a lovely bougainvillaea (maybe 20 years old) growing up along
> side
> of house and along upper terrace railings - it is certainly very
> beautiful in full flower for about 9 months of year but low maintenance
> it is not. Even without Summer water, we have to prune regularly to
> keep terrace clear but obviously there are now many less vigorous
> varieties available which would require yearly pruning. We have no rats
> nor pigeons in the vine, the rats prefer the carob tree and the pigeons
> prefer the neighbour's garden.
>
> I have a different problem - a pot bound bougainvillaea, only 2 feet
> tall,
> maybe 10 to 15 years old. Anyway I noticed the pot wasn't draining over
> the Winter and decided to repot. After a real good soak, got the bougie
> out of its pot, to find the latter half of the rootball rock hard and
> completely dry. I now have the root ball soaking in a container of
> water but how do I improve the soil around the roots? I under that
> bougies do not like their roots disturbed. If I try to break up this
> root
> ball (gently!), will I do more damage than good? Any advice
> appreciated.
>
Maria
I think the best way to help your Bougainvillea would be not to disturb
the ball generally but rather to root prune it. Before you put it back
in its pot you could shave off a layer of roots all round the ball,
using something like sharp knife. Cut away not more than 1/3 of the old
growth.
The plant can then go back in a the same pot, or one a size larger, with
a good layer of new potting soil all round. Like pruned stems, cut root
ends will rapidly shoot and grow into the new mix, which I am sure will
make the plant a good deal happier.
Root pruning is practised on a number of woody subjects to allow them to
continue growing in rather cramped pots and spring is the right time to
do it, just when new growth should be about to take place, so you
should be about right doing it now. it can be repeated as required, but
is often done every second or third year.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata NZ,
where it's Summer in January and Winter in July.
