Question
I recently purchased a beautiful bougainvillea from a nursery in a hanging pot. I transplanted the plant into a larger pot and put a small wooden trellis behind it and
tied up the longest and heaviest sprout of blooms. It is still gorgeous, however I'm concerned because it seems to be losing the blooms at a fast past. I was told at the nursery to water every day and about once a week add a mild dose of fertilizer behind the daily water.
I don't want to end up with a bloomless bougainvillea...Please help !

Thanks
Shanna
East Texas

Answer
Hi Shanna, Bougs do not remain in color perpetually, it is normal for the colored "bracts" (the actual blooms are the tiny white center parts of the bracts) to shed and at times disappear completely; as long as the plants is healthy and is not given too much water (which actually deters the color) or too much fertilizer, which encourages green growth,it will be fine. Plenty of Sun, little water and a low Nitrogen fertilizer with a high Phosphorus count is the ticket for success. Nick