Rosemarie's Bougainvillea Journey

2026–2027 Bimer Bonsai Club Challenge - Month 1

Every Bonsai Has a Beginning

Every bonsai has a story, and this is where mine begins.

In June 2026, I was fortunate to be selected as one of four participants in the Bimer Bonsai Club's 2026–2027 Bougainvillea Challenge. Over the next twelve months, we'll each transform a nursery-grown Bougainvillea into an exhibition bonsai for display at the club's annual show in May 2027.

This journal follows my tree from its very first day through every stage of its development. I'll be sharing the successes, challenges, techniques and lessons I learn along the way.

Choosing My Bougainvillea

After spending almost thirty minutes looking over all the Bougainvilleas available, I finally settled on one that I kept coming back to. No matter how many others I looked at, this tree continued to draw my attention.

It was Bougainvillea 'Bambino Maudi'.

It was one of the largest trees available, with branches growing in every direction. At first glance it looked more like an overgrown shrub than a future bonsai, but I've always enjoyed a challenge and could already sense there was a beautiful bonsai hidden beneath the tangled growth.

There was another reason this tree stood out to me. My eldest daughter's nickname is Maudi, so the name immediately resonated with me. Combined with its rich deep pink flowers, I knew this was the tree I wanted to spend the next twelve months developing.

I couldn't wait to begin.

Looking Beyond the Branches

Even after choosing my tree, I spent another twenty minutes simply turning it, studying it from every angle and imagining what it wanted to become.

One thing bonsai has taught me is not to rush.

I often say that you need to listen to the tree.

Every trunk has movement. Every branch tells a story. Somewhere beneath the tangled growth is the bonsai waiting to be revealed.

Once I felt I understood the tree, I began the first stage of styling.

Finding the Bonsai Hidden Inside

The first task was simply to tidy the tree so I could clearly see its structure.

I removed dead branches, crossing branches and shoots growing in awkward positions beneath or above the main branch lines. With every cut the trunk became more visible and the design slowly started to reveal itself.

As more clutter disappeared, I could finally begin imagining its future.

I decided on an informal upright (Moyogi) style. The trunk already had beautiful natural movement, but to emphasise this the tree will eventually be planted on an angle in its bonsai pot.

My vision is for the primary branch structure to flow mainly to the left, eventually developing into layered foliage pads or "clouds", while one or two carefully positioned branches on the right will provide balance and visual harmony.

Not every branch was removed. I've deliberately left several branches that may become sacrificial branches, helping improve taper and thicken selected areas of the trunk. As the tree develops over the coming months, I'll decide whether they stay or eventually disappear.

Heavy Wiring and Patience

One challenge quickly became obvious.

The branches were extremely thick and, like many Bougainvilleas, surprisingly brittle. Traditional wiring alone wasn't going to reposition them without risking them snapping.

Instead, I used a heavy guy-wire technique.

Strong wire was anchored securely to the pot and attached to selected branches, allowing me to slowly lower them over time. Rather than forcing each branch into place, I tightened the wire only a small amount at a time, gradually encouraging it into its new position while reducing the risk of breakage.

It required patience, but it was the safest and most effective approach for such powerful branches.

After several hours of pruning, wiring and careful decision-making, the transformation was remarkable.

The untidy nursery shrub had become the beginning of a bonsai.

The finished styling after several hours of urning, wiring and careful decision making. Now the tree begins its recovery before the next stage of development.

Home at Last

At the end of the workshop I carefully loaded my Bougainvillea into the car and brought it home to Rosemarie's Zen Garden, where it now sits in full winter sunshine.

For now, my role is simply to allow the tree to recover. Over the coming month I'll mostly be observing, watering carefully and letting it settle before making any further major styling decisions.

Sometimes the hardest part of bonsai is knowing when not to work on the tree.

Patience is just as important as pruning.

🌸 Bougainvillea Journey Progress

Month: 1 of 12

Tree: Bougainvillea 'Bambino Maudi'

Current Stage: Initial styling complete.

Next Step: Recovery, observation and building strength through winter before further development.

Next Journal: Month 2 – July 2026

Looking Ahead

Over the next twelve months I'll be sharing every stage of this tree's transformation—from nursery stock to an exhibition-ready bonsai.

I'll be sharing the styling decisions, seasonal care, successes, setbacks and lessons I learn along the way.

Whether you're just beginning your bonsai journey or you've been growing trees for many years, I hope you'll enjoy following this project with me.

Join me next month as we continue the journey of transforming Bougainvillea 'Bambino Maudi' from nursery stock into an exhibition bonsai, one month, one season and one decision at a time.

Thank you for following my Bonsai Journey. I'll see you next month as Bambino Maudi takes its next step toward becoming an exhibition bonsai.

Until next month... Happy Bonsai Growing! 🌸

➡ Read Month 2 – July 2026