Bougainvillea Advice!

[Guest]

Hello everyone,

has anybody got any advice on repotting a bougainvillea which is in a 5" terracotta pot with the roots showing through the bottom.

What compost should I useand when is the best time to repot? I am keeping it in a south facing conservatory in East Sussex, UK.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much!

--Jill

[The Helpful Gardener]

Bougainvillea are really not a difficult plant at all; this holds true for repotting. A much bigger pot is in order; I think a 10" pot at least (if this looks a little silly then go for a smaller size but know you will be doing this again in a year or two). Compost is great but this one likes aeration in the roots; I'd go 4 parts pine bark, 2 parts peat, 2 part compost and 2 parts grit (or perlite). Feed it regularly and get it back in the sun in a day or two.

Funny, when I did Sarah Churchill's garden, she complained vociferously about the bougainvillea at her Bermuda house; called it a "bloody weed"! One man's trash is anothers treasure...

Scott