From my perspective as a Bougainvillea, my primary need is a robust and permanent support system. My stems are not natural clingers like ivy; I do not have aerial rootlets or tendrils. Instead, I am a vigorous, woody vine that grows long, strong canes. To climb, I must be physically attached to the structure. A flimsy trellis will not suffice as I mature, for my weight and woody bulk will become considerable. A sturdy trellis made of metal or thick, treated wood, firmly anchored into the ground and, if training me on a wall, securely fixed to it, is essential. This strong foundation is the first step in our successful partnership.
You must begin my training when I am young and my stems are still green and pliable. My older, woody growth becomes rigid and is easily snapped if bent too forcefully. Gently weave my longest, most flexible shoots horizontally through and across the trellis. This horizontal training is crucial. It encourages me to produce more flowering lateral shoots along the length of the stem, not just at the very top, resulting in a much denser and more spectacular display of my vibrant bracts. Please use soft, flexible plant ties, cloth strips, or velcro ties to secure me. Do not use wire or string that can cut into and girdle my growing stems, cutting off my vital nutrient and water flow.
Understanding my growth cycle is key to your training success. I flower on new growth. After a period of bloom, I will enter a growth phase where I send out long, vigorous shoots. This is your signal to actively guide these new shoots onto the trellis, securing them to fill in any gaps. Your strategic pruning is how you ultimately shape me. After a flush of flowers, you can prune the tips of my shoots to encourage even more branching. More branches mean more flowers. Major pruning to control my size and shape is best done at the end of my main blooming period or just before a new growth cycle begins. This directs my energy efficiently.
My ability to climb and flourish is entirely dependent on my health, which you control through my environment. I am a sun-loving plant. I require a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily to produce the energy needed for my vigorous growth and prolific flowering. Plant me in well-draining soil, as my roots despise being waterlogged. Water me deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. To support the immense energy output of climbing and blooming, feed me with a fertilizer high in phosphorus. This nutrient specifically promotes brilliant and abundant bract production, making the entire training effort worthwhile for both of us.
