Question
QUESTION: I live in Minnesota and would like to winter my Bogenvia.  Is this possible and how do I do it?

Thanks
Winnie

ANSWER: Hi Winnie:

Bougainvillea is a tender perennial, so yes You can over winter it inside, if you have a place where it will get adequate light. A south or west facing window will do.

You can trim it back a bit if it is too large. If it's in the ground, dig it up and use a good soilless mix like pro mix when you replant. This plant needs a well drained soil, so a soilless mix is best.

Bougainvillea does not like it's feet wet at any time--in other words it cannot have water around the roots, so you'll have to watch that you don't water too much. If water comes into the plant saucer drain it off. The soil won't dry out as fast inside as it does outside. I never let any plant bloom when I am over wintering them, It takes away the energy that I want it to put into growing more shoots and a healthier plant.

You can take cuttings from this plant if you want to in the spring. If you want to do this Write to me again and I'll tell you how or look through my past answers. I had a question on taking Bougainvillea cuttings a little while ago.

Hope this helps          Myrna


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

QUESTION: I have read that you can let it go dormant in a garage that doesn't get below 30 degrees.  Our garage gets to cold so could I store it in a cool part of my basement where I have successfully let my geraniums winter.

Answer
Hi Winnie:

Bougainvillea is a true tropical plant and will not tolerate any frost. Geraniums will take a bit of frost and still come through all right.

That having been said then--Yes that is an option as long as it doesn't freeze at all. As you said above 30 degrees and yet cold enough to produce dormancy, which it does with your Geraniums. In the spring treat it like your Geraniums and it should be fine.

It just occurred to me that you were the one that asked about your geraniums too. Leave your Bougainvillea in it's pot and follow the second way for Geraniums.

If it's not in a pot, put it in one, then water but not too much. Keep in the heat and light for a while as you gradually cut back on water and light until it's dry and almost totally in the dark. Then put it in your cold storage. In the spring treat it like your Geraniums
         Myrna