First Bouganvillea...advice needed

[Iceman]

I was given this Bouganvillea. I'm new to bonsai, so I wanted some advice on my plans for it. I'm not familiar with air layering. Would it be possible to air layer this and eventually change the position of the plant. I've attached a picture (pot tilted) to show what exactly I was thinking. Also two pictures of the wood that I would be trying to air layer from. Is this even possible with this particular specimen? Any other ideas of what I might do?

 

[Iceman]

Error uploading at first

 

[Iceman]

Error uploading at first

 

[Kyleboldy2003]

Need to cut it back make sure it is getting lots of light. hopefully get some more branching

 

[Carol 83]

Distance wise, I am only 30 or so miles away from you. I seem to have accumulated quite a few bougies , and in my limited experience, you should do well with it. Outside, it will grow like crazy. Most of mine threw a fit when brought inside, but already are coming back. I keep mine in a southern exposure, with additional lights. No help in the air layer question. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Iceman]

Distance wise, I am only 30 or so miles away from you. I seem to have accumulated quite a few bougies , and in my limited experience, you should do well with it. Outside, it will grow like crazy. Most of mine threw a fit when brought inside, but already are coming back. I keep mine in a southern exposure, with additional lights. No help in the air layer question. Welcome to the forum.

Thank you, and great to hear! I have mine under a grow light inside and it seems to be decently happy now after a week under the light.

 

[Cadillactaste]

i would not attemp any reports until late June into early July when temps are warm and the tree can be kept outside to recover.

I honestly think you might do an angle change without need of an air layer. But...people do cuttings with these of grand thickness with success. But I would imagine you could tilt the tree with no large hiccup.

Here was my angle change. Quite honestly...I can't make much of your tree...you have photos pretty much looking down on it. You need to take a photo from straight on looking at it as I have here for one to totally grasp the look of your tree. Would like to see all four sides like that from your original planting. You may have something there you don't see. Or...it may do good with an angle change. But your current plan makes the leader seem...so straight. The original planting it seems it's at an angle. Which gives it some character. I just am curious if there isn't more options your not seeing.

Bougies make a great project...fun material...hardy plant. You will surely have fun with yours!

From this...

To this...

 

[Iceman]

i would not attemp any reports until late June into early July when temps are warm and the tree can be kept outside to recover.

I honestly think you might do an angle change without need of an air layer. But...people do cuttings with these of grand thickness with success. But I would imagine you could tilt the tree with no large hiccup.

Here was my angle change. Quite honestly...I can't make much of your tree...you have photos pretty much looking down on it. You need to take a photo from straight on looking at it as I have here for one to totally grasp the look of your tree. Would like to see all four sides like that from your original planting. You may have something there you don't see. Or...it may do good with an angle change. But your current plan makes the leader seem...so straight. The original planting it seems it's at an angle. Which gives it some character. I just am curious if there isn't more options your not seeing.

Bougies make a great project...fun material...hardy plant. You will surely have fun with yours!

From this...View attachment 167443

To this...
View attachment 167444

Thank you for the response. You have done a nice job with yours! I've attached some better pictures. Any ideas are welcomed. You can see on one of the closeups, the guy who gave it to me started to carve a little, but didn't get to far.

 

[Stickroot]

Distance wise, I am only 30 or so miles away from you. I seem to have accumulated quite a few bougies , and in my limited experience, you should do well with it. Outside, it will grow like crazy. Most of mine threw a fit when brought inside, but already are coming back. I keep mine in a southern exposure, with additional lights. No help in the air layer question. Welcome to the forum.

I'm in Warrenton. Well I live there, on K in O'fallan now

 

[Iceman]

I'm in Warrenton. Well I live there, on K in O'fallan now

I'm in St. Charles.

 

[Stickroot]

I'm in St. Charles.

I see you!

 

[Carol 83]

I'm in Warrenton. Well I live there, on K in O'fallan now

We used to go through Warrenton all the time, when our daughter was going to college in Columbia. O'Fallon MO, or Il?

 

[Carol 83]

I'm in St. Charles.

About 45 minutes away. Love Old St Charles, and visit the casino on occasion. Nice to have more people here from my area.

 

[Stickroot]

We used to go through Warrenton all the time, when our daughter was going to college in Columbia. O'Fallon MO, or Il?

Mo
When did your daughter go to Mizzou?

 

[Ironbeaver]

I wish I could get my hands on a trunk like that. I would think you can get away with a planting angle change without needing to air layer. I think you mughtvwant to let it grow out for a bit to let things thicken up and crate better taper. Do you have an idea of how you want the branching to end up? All the growth seems a bit far out right now.

 

[Cadillactaste]

The most sound advice I can give you...is not to force a direction. I fought this new front for awhile. Even though it offered the best direction. Because I wanted to see something else. I was new to the hobby.. I am glad I didn't really do anything major until it spoke to me. The only thing about the angle change to me...is it seems to bring the leader into a straight upright position. I would work at keeping it at some sort of an angle itself so not as in your face. But great species to work with. You will find enjoyment there. I highly suggest going to google images and search bougainvillea bonsai and study structures make mental notes what attracts you to a specific piece. Get to understand what appeals to your eye. Then...relook at the bougainvillea you have with fresh eyes.

 

[Carol 83]

Mo
When did your daughter go to Mizzou?

Of course, Il doesn't name their roads with letters! She went to Stephens College in Columbia. Private girls school (at least then)Studied fashion design. Was there 2008-2010.

 

[Ironbeaver]

My apollogies for the typos. Saturday night bonsai posting.