Question
QUESTION: I live in Bombay/Mumbai India (just mover from Australia for work).  Given the weather seems relevant for blooming ... We are just coming out of winter which means minimum night temps of 20 and max's of 34 deg celcius but dry weather .... it will get much hotter and humid over the next 3 months and then 3 months of monsoon (continuous hard rain)

I proudly bought 2 very bright bougainvillea's a couple of months ago both of which now no longer have bracts.  I think they have 2 different problems.

Problem 1.  Plant lived and bloomed happily for its first 6 weeks - then strong winds blew all the bracts off.  I am not sure if this is relevant but the leaves where green but have been going a variegated yellow but otherwise the plant seems happy).  I water every day because it dries out every day (and I don't have mulch and don't know how to ask for it as I don't hindi!!) .   How do I get the color back?

Problem 2 - within a week of getting it home all the leaves (including the bracts) fell of (the nursery had re-potted it and I think did a rough job)... and then it was just bare and looked dead - I was going to throw it our but it leaves completely regenerated themselves in about a couple of weeks - looks really healthy but NO bracts - any idea?

I really would like them to get some bracts - help would be much appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi, first of all you must understand that Bougs actually do better when they are water stressed, so a big part of the problem is your watering them everyday, and no mulch! you actually want them to be somewhat wanting for water, not completely, water them once a week and no fertilizer, (the Nitrogen will encourage too much greenery) there is a fertilizer on the market specifically for Bougs,but I doubt you will be able to get it where you are. A low nitrogen, high Phosphorous count is what you want. Bougs shed their leaves when they are watered too much, or undergo a severe cold snap, other then that, they are pretty durable. So bottom line here, is plenty of sun and light watering should bring them back for you. Nick

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

QUESTION: Thanks, what is a good rule for watering - the plants are in pots and the weather/wind is extremely drying (esp without mulch which I expect to take 3 months or so to work how to purchase).  

eg If the soil is rock hard is it safe to water for blooming - or should I wait 24 or 48 hours after that to water?

And a quick comment on fertilizer - is my best bet to use none despite that they are in pots - the re potted plant that immediately "died" and came straight back has extremely green lush leaves which might mean the soil has more than enough already?  (you are correct about special fertilizer being impractical - there is fertilizer here but no way with my Hindi skills of being able to find if low nitrogen or not).

While I am at it - sorry - I also have hibiscus's in pots - should i fertilize them each month as the plant seller said (I don't think he knew much).   I water them each day too - is this right or wrong.

PS sorry for all the questions - I am used to garden plants in Australia and not potted plants in Bombay where the definition of winter is overnight minimum's of 20 degrees Cecilius - so i have completely lost my judgment.  And information here is very authoritative (or at least that I can find)

Answer
Hi, Your best bet is to place the containers in an area that is protected from the wind, or at least has something to block it, this will help keep the soil adequately irrigated; you may even try lifting them and checking the soil base to see if the soil is binding up, not allowing the water to permeate the root system, even though Bougs don't need a lot of water, they do need the water they get to come in contact with the roots. If the soil seems too hard, then you may need to find a looser potting soil, or mix some perlite with the existing soil to keep it loosely packed. Your Hibiscus needs to be fertilized with a well balanced granular (14-14-14) about once every 3 months and then half strength soluble (Miracle Grow or Peters..) weekly, make sure that you have a good drainage medium in the bottom several inches of both your Bougs and you Hibiscus so that the roots are never sitting in standing water. Mist the Hibiscus leaves frequently to imitate a humid surrounding and deter mites. It sounds like you are trying to garden on the Moon by your description of the area you are at, so take it slow and try to even the playing field by compensating for the environmental differences from what you are used too. Good Luck...Nick