bougainvillea (House plant)

[GladBiscuit]

I have a huge bougainvillea that was gifted to me but I can’t make it happy. I put it next to some frosted glass and it wilted so Google said move it to non-frosted glass as it needs more light so I did and it wilted more, so Google said take it outside for a few hours so I did and it almost died. So I put it back next to the frosted glass and it perked up for a few days and then began to wilt again. What does it want?! I only water when the top is dry, its roots are fine and doesn’t need repotting. I like it a lot but it’s driving me crazy.

Assuming it's still warm where you are, how about putting it outside in a sunny spot for a few weeks? It may be happier there. I have two bougainvillea plants that are outside at the moment, flowering away, and I don’t plant to bring them in until night time temperatures fall to 10°C.

Also, are you feeding it?

Sorry, just seen you've already tried outside! Maybe it almost died because it needed water rather than being outside? Usually they like being outdoors in warm weather.

I’m not feeding it no, maybe I should be. When took it outside it almost lost its shit! I brought it back in after a few hours and it only perked back up in the frosted spot! But then it was pissed off again.

I wonder if it was too much too soon? A bit of shock due to change of conditions? Maybe I need to leave it by the non-frosted glass for a few weeks and see what happens

I have two
In south facing window where its baking hot
Imho in this scenario they are very hungry and thirsty plants
I water every 3 days and feed weekly which is a must
There are different feeds for the time of year
I use Vitafeed 301 Feb-Oct
Then Vitafeed 111 Oct-Feb

They can still be cranky but once the bracts colour of course I forgive them

Okay, this is more rigorous care than I have been giving! I will keep it in the south-facing non-frosted window, up the water and start feeding! That’s a shame as I wanted it for a certain space by the frosted glass! It will have to be a spider plant.

On Gardeners Question Time a few years ago the expert said the only place they are happy is surrounding an indoor heated swimming pool. I'm still saving up for the pool so I can give it the right conditions!

Ha ha, I love that you’d get a pool to make a plant happy! Maybe I need to donate him to someone else who can make him truly happy…

They need dry soil stress to trigger the bracts so dont worry too much
Mine regularily looks ready for the bin and at deaths door then I feed and water and ta da its beautiful again
They need hot sun and brighteness to thrive

Thank you, I will try a new situation and if I can’t get it going I will offer him up
To someone who can! I have very few issues with houseplants but this one is such a drama queen