Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/29/2006

Question
I have a bogenvia in my back yard that gets a good deal of afternoon sun from around 2 pm until sunset. This year is the first time in three years that it has bloomed flowers. I was watering it every other day and now all the flowers have fallen off. Do I need to water more, or did I water too much and drown this plant?  

Answer
Shawn,
In warm climates this plant sets flower buds every four to six weeks, especially if cut back or pinched after flowering.  Fertilizing at the same time you cut back is important, but you must not water so much - too much water will cause the plant to just grow leaves, or pout or get root rot.  If you have this in a pot, let the soil dry out but not to the point when the plant wilts...then water well, wait a while, and water again.  Such double watering makes sure that the root ball is saturated, and then you can wait until it looks really dry before watering again.  Always water well before fertilizing so that you don't get fertilizer burn.

If you have a place that gets more sun, that would be better  - from 11 AM on is the best, or longer.

I hope this helps!

C.L.