Rosemarie's Bougainvillea Bonsai Journey – August 2026
2026–2027 Bimer Bonsai Club Challenge - Month 3 – A New Pot and a Big Root Reduction
Strong Growth, Flowers and a Big Change
August was a very different month for my Bougainvillea bonsai, ‘Bambino Maudi’.
After spending July simply allowing the tree to recover and grow, August brought lots of fast new growth. The weather was warming up here on the Sunshine Coast, and Bambino Maudi was responding beautifully.
It was also beginning to flower, producing those beautiful rich, dark purple blooms that make Bougainvillea such a spectacular bonsai.
For most of the month, I really just let it grow. I didn't fertilise it in August, and I left the existing wire in place because it was still doing its job and should be sufficient for many months yet.
With the warmer weather, dry winds and higher UV, I adjusted my watering to every two to three days. I gave it a good drink and then allowed it to dry between watering. Bougainvilleas really don't like sitting with wet feet.
By the end of August, the tree had recovered beautifully and was growing strongly. It was time for its next big step, moving it from its training pot into a proper bonsai pot.
And that turned out to be quite an experience!
Choosing the Right Pot
Choosing the right bonsai pot turned out to be much harder than I expected.
I had a particular vision in my head. I wanted a metallic blue pot, perhaps with some brown or a two-tone finish, that would really contrast with the rich, dark purple flowers of Bambino Maudi.
I visited several local nurseries and bonsai pot sellers and searched online, but I just couldn't find the pot I had imagined.
Then I remembered a pot I already had.
About three years ago, I bought this rectangular charcoal-grey pot for a Ficus I was working on. In the end, I chose a different pot for the Ficus, and this one has been sitting in my nursery cupboard ever since, waiting for a special tree.
I tried it with Bambino Maudi and I think it works beautifully.
The pot is a high-quality clay pot measuring approximately 37 cm long, 26 cm wide and 13.5 cm high. It has two large drainage holes and some beautiful detailed artwork, which gives it plenty of character without competing with the tree.
Sometimes the pot you are looking for isn't the pot you end up choosing. It's the one that was waiting for you all along.
Bougainvillea Bonsai Repotting – A Big Root Reduction
The repot was done on the very last day of August, and because this is part of the Bimer Bonsai Club challenge, I took Bambino Maudi along to the club meeting.
I wanted to make sure I was doing this important step correctly, particularly because this was the first time I was putting this tree into a proper bonsai pot.
I was very fortunate to have the assistance of Keith S., President of the Bimer Bonsai Club, who helped guide me through the repotting process.
Having Keith there to guide me through such a significant root reduction gave me a lot of confidence. There was certainly a moment of “Are we really taking that much off?” when we realised that around 60% of the root mass would need to be removed.
That is a huge reduction when you're standing there looking at your tree and wondering how on earth it is going to cope!
The roots were carefully worked through and reduced, and the tree was then positioned into its new pot.
One of the most important things I learned was just how firmly the tree needs to be secured after a major root reduction. Bambino Maudi was tied down firmly so that the root ball could not move around in the pot.
Movement can disturb newly developing fine feeder roots, so stability is critical while the tree begins to establish itself again.
This was definitely one of those bonsai moments where having experienced people around you makes all the difference.
My 1:1:1 Bonsai Mix
For the repot, we used a 1:1:1 mix of pumice, akadama and scoria.
Each component has an important role in helping to create a healthy environment for the roots.
Pumice helps hold moisture while allowing good drainage and provides a useful environment for nutrient exchange around the roots.
Akadama provides water and nutrient-holding capacity and has good cation exchange capacity, helping to make nutrients available to the tree.
Scoria provides plenty of air spaces around the roots and, importantly, it doesn't break down easily over time.
Getting the mix right is just as important as getting the root reduction and planting position right.
With approximately 60% of the root mass removed, I want to give Bambino Maudi the best possible conditions to settle into its new home.
Aftercare – Now the Real Patience Begins
After such a major root reduction, the work doesn't stop, it changes.
For the next two to three weeks, Bambino Maudi needs to be protected while it settles into its new pot and begins developing new roots.
I've tied the tree firmly into the pot so there is no movement around the root ball. This is really important because movement can disturb those newly developing fine roots.
For now, I've placed it in a sheltered, very bright area away from wind and hot afternoon sun. It still needs plenty of light, but I don't want to put it under unnecessary stress while it recovers.
I'll keep the soil evenly moist, but I'm still being careful not to keep it too wet.
Bougainvilleas don't like wet feet, and after such a significant root reduction, getting the moisture balance right is especially important.
I've also held off on fertilising. I'll wait until I see new growth appearing before I start feeding again, which I'm expecting will be around two to three weeks, although it may take up to four weeks depending on how the tree responds.
Yes, this is the hardest part of bonsai, waiting and watching. But it’s also one of the most exciting. Every morning when I go out, I inspect Bambino Maudi, see how it’s responding, and simply enjoy the tree for what it is at this moment.
A Month of Quiet Progress
Comparison of Bougainvillea bonsai development from nursery stock to June and July 2026. Bougainvillea June 2026 Bougainvillea July 2026 Bougainvillea August 2026
Bougainvillea photos, May 2026, June 2026, July 2026, August 2026 in order.
🌸 Bougainvillea Journey Progress
Month: 3 of 12
Tree: Bougainvillea 'Bambino Maudi'
Current Stage: Strong growth, flowering and major repot.
This Month: Fast new growth, rich purple flowers, a new bonsai pot and approximately 60% root reduction.
Next Step: Allow the tree to recover and develop new roots after the major repot. Keep it sheltered, evenly moist and hold off fertilising until new growth appears.
Next Journal: Month 4 – September 2026
Until Next Month...
August has been a really exciting month in this journey. From watching Bambino Maudi put on strong new growth and begin flowering, to finally finding the right pot and then taking the rather scary step of removing around 60% of the root mass, it has certainly been a month of big changes.
Now the challenge is to step back again and let the tree do what it needs to do.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Bambino Maudi responds to its new pot and watching for those first signs of new root and shoot growth. And, of course, I'll be enjoying it every morning along the way.
Sometimes the best thing we can do for a bonsai is simply give it time.
I'm looking forward to sharing the next chapter of Bambino Maudi's journey with you.
Happy Bonsai Growing! 🌸
➡ Read Month 4 - September 2026
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