Saved an old Bougainvillea- advice,suggestions etc... See pics.

Hi,
I'm new to bonsai and need some input on how to proceed. I'm located in south Florida and bougainvilleas survive here year round, I've driven by this house for the pasted 12 years and always admired the large bougainvillea growing in the front yard. Well just my luck new owners and they wanted it gone. Now I have this unexpected (but happy I got it) huge bougainvillea. We planted it in our yard till I figure out what to do with it.
HELP!!
INFO: size over 6 feet tall, base is about 12 inches.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

We can't grow bougies in my country so I can't advise you. Why not go to the forum Home page and use the google search facility? Just type in bougainvillea and see what comes up. There have been some really good threads in the past on the subject and I'm sure you'd get some ideas and information. People like Sam (kauaibonsai) have posted some great threads on large bougies.

Hope you get your answers but what a great piece of luck in getting that beast.

You got lots of big branches, you can either make cuttings out of those or air layer later (after the tree recovered) if you want to be safe. Please post more pictures (all around)...someone will more likely spot the best way to go if you do so.

For now, I will shorten some of the long branches you don't plan on using (for the tree or cutting)

Good luck and congrats!

BTW, Welcome to IBC!

Thank you fiona,
I have searched and found some great info, just wanted some input from the more experienced before I start. Like what they've done with parts of the tree they cut off and what pot size would be good, whatever advice anyone can give me would be great. Its just a little intimidating this huge bougie.
Thanks!

Wait for new growth.

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:Wait for new growth.

There is new growth already, the previous owner had hard pruned the bougie and since its the rainy season here it sprouted quickly. I also saved some root parts and potted them up. Hope they survive.