Bougainvillea upright

[Beano]

Wondering what I should do with this bougy I got a few weeks ago. I love it but, the entire apex is coming from a branch down low on the back of the tree (its the trees first branch as well), which has grown straight up. It looks good but only when viewed from the front. I have trimmed back the lower two side branches but now the whole thing looks odd (not pictured). I want to remove the back branch totally and grow a new one, but there is some deadwood there that will prevent that, but I think I can get a back branch higher. There is a bud on the top side branch right where that branch emerges from the tree which could form a new apex.

On the other hand my brain says take off all the branches and grow new ones. But I'm not sure on that one...

[Bougy Fan]

It's always hard to tell with photos - I would cut back all 3 branches really hard and feed the crap out of it with DL. "Feed the crap out it" is a technical term and relates to copious handful of chook poo applied on top of the pot.

[Beano]

Thanks Tony. I know pictures make it very difficult. You really need the 3D perspective to get some trees, especially this one with its weirdness. Is the next Bimer meeting next weekend? Because guess what... I'm working again!!!! Was working last meeting and the meeting before that! Stupid roster! Unfortunately in my job there's not much I can do about the roster, without swapping a few people around and becoming unpopular in the workplace...

Here's some more recent photos. The first is after I gave it a haircut then realised I didn't know what i was doing. Also I wanted to keep the flowers just to confirm its the ugly purple kind... I'm still holding out hope they will change to orange...

The 2nd photo is a photoshop example of just how much that back low branch is contributing to the top. Without it, it reminds me of one of those giant air driven giant dancing parachute men that they use to decorate car yards.

The third is where I was hoping to get an apex branch from...

[Boics]

Yep.
If the process won't kill the tree I'd cut the lot off too.
Note. I have zero experience with Bougy.
Only..

[Bougy Fan]

Just feed it and it should shoot everywhere - they are much better at backbudding than figs. If you don't feed it the tree won't feel inclined to put out new shoots.

[Beano]

I've been meaning to get some chook poo for the swampies so added bonus to need some for the bougy. I thought choosy poo would be too much for them after the power feed incident.

I've got 2 cuttings that haven't sprouted and one that has. I dug up one I thought was dead and it had quite a few roots so I put it back. Do you think they need some chook poo as well?

Bloody power went off. Lucky I'm bbqing tonight and my guest lives upstairs!


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[Bougy Fan]

Choosy poo ? Is that the less smelly one ? I never put DL or any fert on cuttings while I am trying to strike them. Established swampies however love the stuff and can take as much as you can heap on the pot or styro box

[Ash]

Hello,

I have not grown Bougainvillea but I would start feeding it with a liquid fertilizer first, weak feeds at first and slowly ramp it up until it is bursting with growth. I would also lower the side branches out of the way to let the light into the top branch - it will help keep the top of the trunk alive. Just like those virts.

Ash

[Beano]

Was supposed to say chooky poo... And they are bougy cuttings not swampies, can't you keep up with my flight of ideas? LOL, kidding. I tend to ramble on forums.

Thanks again everyone

[Beano]

*sigh* its purple... Still a great tree though. I cut back the side branches and completely removed the back branch, no new buds on the back yet, but I got a new apex pretty much where I wanted it, so I'm winning. Excuse the dodgy wiring job.