How do I pot this Bougie?

Howzit All,

I need some help with this bougainvillea. A friend of mine that works at the Maui airport who takes care of the plants said that I can have two bougies that he has at the airports greenhouse. I'll show you the first bougainvillea then later the second one.

Now this bougie has been growing like this for years out of the pot.



As you can see, the root has grown so big that it supports it self. It's been growing like this for about five years.




I really like this tree because of the way the truck and branches have grown and I think that this could be a really cool bonsai. My question is, how do I plant this puppy?? Should I pruned back some of the roots then put it a grow pot or do I just plant it as is?? Much Mahalo for the advice.

-Tim

Hi Tim

I'm no Boug expert but I wonder if you can't cut like shown below? I know bougs are pretty strong to regrow roots. This way you will get it in a bonsai pot.

Regards

Jaco Kriek wrote:Hi Tim

I'm no Boug expert but I wonder if you can't cut like shown below? I know bougs are pretty strong to regrow roots. This way you will get it in a bonsai pot.

Regards

Mahalo (Thank You) Jaco,

Sounds like a good idea. I'm not to concern about getting it into a bonsai pot for now. What I want to do is get in a grow box and let it get healthy and strong then work on where I want it to go then think about a bonsai pot.

-Tim

But what has been done with it while we're posting back and forth? Surely it hasn't been sitting out in the air and sun all that time! I hope you kept the roots wet and cool.

Tim,
You should be able to cut back to the point referenced without any problems. I've done this with my large boug, that was back in Illinois.....so given that you're in a better climate you should have not problems. Clean sharp cut and aftercare make a difference.

Neil

JimLewis wrote:Surely it hasn't been sitting out in the air and sun all that time! I hope you kept the roots wet and cool.

Jim, I could be wrong, but I think he's saying that this is it. This is how it's been kept for five years. I have never seen anything like this. To say I'm dumbstruck is an understatement.

I can only guess that the thick and hardened outer coil of roots have formed a natural "pot" of sorts that holds and protects the feeder roots.

Tim,
If I where you I would not cut anything at all in that root mass. This is a mini-marvel and should be displayed as such. Sure you can put it in a pot as is. Why not. Those roots are the trees greatest feature. Consider keeping it this way. Bury the lowest ring in the pot and let the rest stay exposed.

Mahalo Guys,

Just to give ya'll a little background about this bougie. From what my friend told me is that one of he's co-works wanted to make a bonsai with it. After a while he forget about it. (Like most first timers) Because it got root bound someone took it out of the pot and left it on the growing table and thats how it started it's life. The greenhouse has a automatic sprinkler system so it has a lot of water. I asked my friend how offend does he feeds the bougie and he said " Depends on where the moon is at night". (He's a nut case) So he hardly if any feeds it.

Ed, I was thinking about that and using the roots as it's feature. I was thinking a Penjing style or using a cascading pot with the roots exposed. Not sure yet but will not take it till I have a plan of action.

This is very cool. Is there life in all the branches? Or is some of it dead?

Joe Hatfield wrote:This is very cool. Is there life in all the branches? Or is some of it dead?

Howzit Joe,

There still life in in some of those branches. What I'm planning to do is leave it there for now and pruned back some of them and hit it with some superthrive until it's healthy enough to where I can pot it up. Mahalo's to the forum for some great ideas!!

-Tim

Howzit Guys,
This is just an up-date to my airport bougie. I took it home, pruned back the branches, cleaned around the root system and potted up. Lets see how it goes.

-Tim

[url=https://servimg.com/image_preview.php?
i=36&u=14769225][/url]

That looks good. Hope it works out for you.

Joe Hatfield wrote:That looks good. Hope it works out for you.

Mahalo Cuz...... Me to!!

-Tim

WOW!! Really like this tree my freind. I'm sure it'll turn out nice. Good luck and keep us posted!
btw...first post!!

Pola wrote:WOW!! Really like this tree my freind. I'm sure it'll turn out nice. Good luck and keep us posted!
btw...first post!!

Mahalo (Thank You) Pola,
I just started to wire the new growth and I'll post it up soon. Also, Aloha and Welcome to the forum and your first post.. I'm sure you'll learn a lot and make new friends here. When you have a chance please post up some of your bonsai's.

Howzit Guys,
Just an update of how my bougie is doing. I had just wired the new growth into a semi-cascading style.

-Tim

Looking good! Thanks for the nice welcome! I don't own any ''finished'' bonsai yet (started in the hobby last year) so i don't have alot to show off yet. I do have some trees that are in the process,so i'll post some of those soon. Again,very nice tree!

Pola wrote:Looking good! Thanks for the nice welcome! I don't own any ''finished'' bonsai yet (started in the hobby last year) so i don't have alot to show off yet. I do have some trees that are in the process,so i'll post some of those soon. Again,very nice tree!

Much Mahalo and Ha'ole Pilikea (No Problem) Pola,
If you have any questions about your trees please post them with your questions and I'm sure we all can give you a hand in helping you achieve what you want out of them.

-Tim