Bonsai trees normally does not bear flower and the only difference is the bougainvillea bonsai, which is sure to amuse you with its color and beauty. Belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family, which is part tree and part vine, bougainvillea bonsai can be kept almost anywhere and everywhere. Be it indoor or outdoor, your bougainvillea bonsai with its parade of color will definitely silhouette the ambiance for you.

However, proper care is indeed necessary to maintain the health of your miniature bougainvillea. Issues like watering, lighting; feeding, temperature, re potting and styling are all important factors in determining the health of the bougainvillea bonsai.

• Temperature and lighting for the bougainvillea bonsai

Bougainvillea is a tropical plant and quite ideally therefore the bonsai also likes to be in direct and adequate sunlight. However be careful of not letting your bougainvillea bonsai to experience sunburn. This will in turn damage its freshness. Bougainvillea bonsai should be kept in a temp ranging from 49-54 degree F.

• Watering of the bougainvillea bonsai

Bougainvillea bonsai does not require regular or continuous watering rather , the miniature tree likes it dry for most of the season. However, during the flowering period an increased amount of watering ensures better result.

• Fertilization of the bougainvillea bonsai plant

Supply your bougainvillea plant with a phosphorus, iron and magnesium enriched fertilizer, depending upon the soil type

• Pruning and styling of the bougainvillea bonsai

One technique that will help your bougainvillea bonsai to look good throughout the year is proper pruning. Prune this bonsai at any point of time of the year. Cut the new growth every month when the plant is young. This will indeed help in promoting a bushy plant. Cut back the branches if you feel that the bonsai has overgrown.

• Pruning the Roots

Apart from pruning the braches if you find that the roots are getting bigger then you need to prune the bonsai to replant it in a larger pot. You may then even cut a small portion to start making smaller bougainvillea bonsais.

Keeping your bougainvillea bonsai alive is easy and fun. All you need is your love and care, attention and your personal touch, for which the little plant crave for. Give it your little time and your bougainvillea bonsai will gift you back a fusion of dream, beauty, color and joy.

A native of Brazil, the bougainvillea was first spotted by the French botanist Philibert Commerson in the year 1760 and named it bouganvillea after his friend and captain, Louis A. de Bougainville, a noted lawyer, mathematician, and explorer from Canada. Hence began the journey of bougainvillea tree as one of the most sought after plants for decorative purpose.

Bougainvillea with crisp, paper like flower is easy to grow. Being a tropical plant , sunshine and plenty of water are two important factors, needed for its growth. Neither frost nor chilly wind is welcome by the .bougainvillea plant Warm climate is therefore the ideal season to plant the bougainvillea.

Although, bougainvillea loves the dry and warm climate yet do not fail to water them daily. Regular watering and 5-6 hours of constant sunshine will make your bougainvillea to bloom better.

Supply your bougainvillea plant with a phosphorus, iron and magnesium enriched fertilizer, depending upon the soil type. For a healthy growth you need to prune your bougainvillea during the end of the winter or latest by the early spring. If you have a healthy flowering bougainvillea, then start making more plants from the mother tree.

Cut sections of around 6 inches long and immerse them in rooting hormones. Strip off the bottom leaves and also moisten the section before you plant it into small pots, filled with fertilizer and sand. Keep an eye to the growth and only after they visibly develop the roots transplant the bougainvillea plant to a sunny spot in your garden. However, ensure not to disturb their cantankerous root whilst replanting.

How to replant your bougainvillea

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the pot.
• Set the bougainvillea shrub in the hole and now gently slide the pot from around the root area
• Do not drop the plant while replanting. Also do not tamp on the planted area with your boot.
• Gently handle your bougainvillea vine to add that little extra to your landscape with the delicate shimmer of the bougainvillea flowers.