Bougainvillea. Please help with style.

Hello all!

I'm a new member and I am a new to bonsai.

I found this trunk of Bougainvillea 1.5 months ago. Cleaned it, planted it, fed it. Today this plant has started to grow well. And I need you advice.
1. When I should start to training the bouga?
2. What is a style wiil be the best for the bougainvillea.

Thanks a lot. This photo will show progress for 1.5 months.

Photo from 28. march.2013



Photo from 28.april.2013

Wire the branches down and trim the silhouette into a triangle. Water. Fertilize. Trim. Wait.

I would trim the branches back to two or three pairs of leaves, and let it grow. Then, do it again. With that nice trunk, there's no sense being in a hurry to whack it into some kind of bonsai shape.

This probably will end up being an informal upright.

please, not a triangle. Bougies are not triangular trees.

I've tried to upload a virtual of my idea, but can't seem to make it work. Will come back and try again later.



- bob

I agree, no triangles. Your tree has an interesting shape, and conforming it to some cookie cutter design would be unfortunate. Just let it grow for a while.

Thanks a lot. I realy do appreciate for your advice.

I think I will trim the branches back to two or three pairs of leaves, and let it grow. If I am right this triming will give it a much stronger crown.
This trunk has just started to grow a root system (1.5 months).
When should I start to trim the branches? Is it possible to do it now or should I wait a few more months?

You will always be safest by waiting for a good root system to develop before trimming.