youngsai
Mame
here are a few pics, this is happening to a few of the same species in the same greenhouse.
bougainvilla leaves yellowing
- Thread starter youngsai
- Start date
youngsai
Mame
Please respond someone, there are trees lives at stake here. I will be going to this greenhouse tomorrow and would very much like to take action if action is needed, these are old beautiful trees that I do want to see die!
Beng
Omono
When was that tree last repotted? The soil looks heavily organic could it be there is a root issue? As we're going into summer now would be a good time to repot this tree. Bourgies are strong I drove mine from california to NYC it survived its survived 2 winters here with some protection till the first freeze. Then it comes inside and I keep it under a metal halide till mid spring when it goes back outside again. I doubt that's fungus on your leaves my bourgainvilleas never had a fungus for the 10 years I had it. I did have root issues once which caused severe yellowing of leaves. The leaves also turn yellow and all or almost all of them drop when temps start to fall to around 40 in the late fall.
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I have had my leaves turn yellow a few times this year usually when I have done something to the tree, ie repotting or a trip from az.to co. I have been lucky enough that each time it has pulled through. How much light has it been getting? The soil does look pretty wet and organic also.
youngsai
Mame
Thanks guys, I will be repotting these this week. I didnt know if now was a good time to do so.
They are in heavy organic soil, also I noticed even the clovers growing in the pot are yellowing. Should I use a basic, 1 part volcanic, 1 part large sand, 1 part perlite (is vermiculite ok?)? any other ideas for substrate that i can find and sieve myself in northern new jersey? does calciferous organisms work? like seashells or diatoms?
They are in heavy organic soil, also I noticed even the clovers growing in the pot are yellowing. Should I use a basic, 1 part volcanic, 1 part large sand, 1 part perlite (is vermiculite ok?)? any other ideas for substrate that i can find and sieve myself in northern new jersey? does calciferous organisms work? like seashells or diatoms?
Beng
Omono
Mines in 1 part akadama, 1 part lava, 1 part pumice, 1 part sifted pine bark, a bit of charcoal. I was always taught to use a bit of organic for tropicals, I don't know why this is necessary though. I use 100% inorganic on everything else, i've just never strayed from it as I haven't had issues with the mix. I don't see why you couldn't use large sand, perlite, and Lava though. But will that hold enough water, bougais are thirsty trees when they're healthy.
youngsai
Mame
Pine bar will be easy enough, as will pumice. I will need something else to play the role of akadama, as I am a poor college student. It is used mainly for Ion exchange correct? I think vermiculite or perlite will play that role? Do you know if sand or perlite will fill that role?
bonsaibp
Omono
Most likely it needs repotting. They can get so full of fine roots that water doesn't penetrate and now is the perfect time to do it.
mc4mc44
Mame
While I don't know the science behind it, I use turface as a replacement for akadama.
You can find it pretty easily, there is a store locator on the website. www.turface.com Look for Turface MVP.
My soil mix is screened turface/pumice at ratios to suit the specific tree. It's also screened to the tree's needs. Trees that like more water get more turface, like maples or tropicals, which get almost 80% turface in smaller sizes. I've heard of issues with 100% turface though, so i'll continue to avoid it. I use no organics in my mix to solve any watering questions. With no organics and proper drainage it's basically the more water the better. It's almost, I repeat, almost impossible to over-water without any organics. It's almost like growing them hydroponically. You just have to be around to water often and make up for the lack of nutrients in the soil with enough fertilizer.
I wouldn't recommend sand, it can mess up drainage.
Perlite is usable but it can be a pain with getting everywhere and with floating away. I wouldn't recommend it, but hey, smoke em' if ya got em'.
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edprocoat
Masterpiece
Bougainvillea's bloom better when rootbound. I doubt your soil is too organic, they grow well in such soil and need plenty moisture. The usual cause of yellowing on old bougie growth is iron or magnesium deficiency, use a fertilizer for flowering plants or a Bougainvillea fertilizer. Nice Bougies you have there.
ed
ed
Nybonsai12
Masterpiece
Looks like too much water to me, leaves curling and yellowing. Soil is likely staying too wet. Bougies hate wet feet.
evmibo
Shohin
Don't forget about lava rock, a great component to soil mixtures.
youngsai
Mame
Thank you everyone. They are fed pretty consistently, so i think that could be counted out. It could be the watering though, they are watered all the time. Are natal plum also better with dry feet? I think its a combination of watering and bad soil, they are so heavily rootbound, there is no air getting through these. Even the clovers growing in the pot are yellowing and getting choked out.l
I will repot, should I prune about 1/5 of the roots?
The soil mix will be one part pine bark, one part, large particle sand, one part lava rock.
I will let you know how this goes!
I will repot, should I prune about 1/5 of the roots?
The soil mix will be one part pine bark, one part, large particle sand, one part lava rock.
I will let you know how this goes!
lordy
Omono
anxious to hear what's happening to the bougies. Roots are very easily damaged, no rough treatment or they can react negatively. I've been fighting the same probs for 5 years with mine. It was recommended to me to try Bayer 3-2-1 (or 1-2-3?) to stave off fungal probs. Might well have done the trick. At least mine are not yellowing and falling off every month anymore.
youngsai
Mame
I started adding a very very light all purpose fert with a bit of superthrive and they popped right back up. No more yellowing, no more yellow veins.
