Question
I have 2 Bougainvillea plants in my South Florida yard, they are six feet high and have never bloomed in the three years I have had them.  

Three weeks ago I sprayed them with Miracle Gro and one of them lost all leaves from 2 feet and above.

How do I get these to grow in Florida ?

Please help.

Answer
Hey Steve, ok, Bougs are really very easy to grow , what happens is people pay way too much attention to fertilizing and watering; they need little of both, what they do want is at least twice a year, a real severe pruning, I mean right down to halfway, this stimulates new growth and the production of those colorful bracts that everyone is after, for the actual flower on a Boug is the small white one that is in the middle of the bracts (which are actually colored leaves). Prune yours way back Steve, and then by the end of November, when the cooler nights start in, the color will be there. Nick