Question
QUESTION: After Hurrican Dolly came through the Rio Grande Valley I noticed my large bouganvilla suddenly blooming profusely while the leaves appeared to be dying.  Then those branches died, I started to cut them back and found the wood inside was blue.  I cut further down until I got into the wood that did not have blue.  Unfortunately I did not sterilze my saw and the entire plant died.  It was about four years old and very large at the base, had to be dug out.  

What causes the blue wood? Recently I read about the Mountain Pine Beetle carrying a fungus that turns the wood blue, but I see no reference to it attacking bouganvillas.

What else could it be?

ANSWER: Hi Joan:
This blue color is likely a pigment produced by a fungus within the stem.  There are many fungal diseases that can do this.  There is a specific group of fungal organisms that are called the "blue stain fungi" that are associated with certain insects. They include Ceratocystis, Hypoxylon, Graphium etc.

Regards
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What kind of treatment is available?  I have anothger plant that seems to be failing in the same way.  What do I get to treat my other bouganvillas?

Answer
Joan:
The cause of the decline needs to be determined first. Someone may need to examine the plant in a laboratory to do this.  Suggest contacting your local county Extension office for advise. Sounds like you live in Texas. There is such a lab in College Station (Home of Texas A & M univ.) that covers the entire state. Start w/ your Extension office, they can give you all of the directions.

Steve