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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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How to Grow Bougainvillea

by tacogirl 04/03/2013
written by tacogirl 04/03/2013
bougainvillea care

Gardening in the tropics is not always easy, the soil is often too sandy and there are sometimes bug issues and diseases like lethal yellow for palms. The owners of the duplex where we live were down recently and  happened to mention that they would love add bougainvillea to our garden. We do actually have one but it is very puny and does not produce the amount of flowers it should. I told them I would talk to my plant connection – if there is anyone that knows about bougainvillea care it is Marsha Waight. She has been helping businesses and private clients grow beautiful gardens for the past 20 years on Ambergris Caye.

I wrote Marsha to ask about bougainvillea flowers and how come the ones in our garden they either did not make it or are not growing well. We got email chatting back and forth and  in addition to her answer below, she is going to provide occasional ongoing gardening advice on tacogirl.com. So if you have any tropical gardening questions for Marsha or would like to get in touch with her for a gardening consultation email  me at tacogirlbelize{at}gmail.com

Growing Bougainvillea

The soil mixture has to be right,  some Peat Moss added for acid to the black dirt and sometimes the soil purchased is from the island and not the mainland and is extremely alkaline. No fertilizer for the first 3 weeks or until new growth is seen.  They need to be in a sunny area for maximum growth and not too much water as to not get root rot. They also don’t like salt air too much. If the area is dredged sand [not uncommon here] it will need really big hole to be filled with a soil mixture.

How to grow Bougainvillaea from cuttings

I only get about 50% from cuttings and that soil mixture is a bit different.

The moon needs to be in the  correct phase for maximum propagation, waning to send “things” down.  Take a woody cutting and make it about 12′ to 14 “.  Remove almost all of the leaves, a few, 2 or 3 are needed to continue photosynthesis, and push into a planting bag filled with mixture, being sure to firm up the soil around it,  no air around the root….. the soil should be a mixture of 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat. and 1/3 sand.  This may sound wrong ’cause peat holds moisture but provides acid and a soft growing medium for expected future roots and the sand is for drainage.

DO NOT put the cuttings where they get unlimited rain/moisture as that causes root rot. Let the cuttings get kind of dry before watering and that can be cheked by squeezing the planting bag.  over watering is worse than anything.

I have seen Marsha’s work for the past 7 years so I can say she has a green thumb for sure, I asked her for her island gardening history so you can get a better idea of her qualifications. If you would like a consultation with her for any of your tropical gardening needs contact Marsha Waight  at belizesandscapes@yahoo.com, and tell her you got her info  on tacogirl.com.

Jerry McDermott gave me my first start by hiring me to run his nursery in SPO years ago and also did some work for him at his Cayo nursery.  Gosh, I sure miss him.

20 years ago I worked at Victoria House for a few years before hurricane Mitch,  The Palms, Canary Cove last year, a huge project complete with heli. landing pad, the Barton’s Home up north, Amanda Symes home, and 20+ years ago Maya Beach when it was being built, Hol Chan beach Resort, Chris Berlins, La Perla and Banana Beach from its inception and Grand Caribe where at large resorts I build a nursery to lower costs. Also saves on freight and the condition of plants when they get here.  Have visited 90% of the nurseries in the country and have chosen which have the most viable plants and can ship.   Also did landscaping in NC. the Outer Banks area on the beach and in Southern Shore where it was a different beach zone. Have too much formal education that would be of no interest to many including turf management from UNCG. I work extensively with BAHA keeping up with whatever is new. Have a pest control license and practice proper spraying techniques including organic for clients that want that.

The first picture I took in Belize city of a healthy Bougainvillea plant, picture number 2 by Kay Scott shows how they use Bougainvillea petals to decorate for weddings at Grand Caribe Resort. The rest of the pictures are an assortment of plants and flowers from Grand Caribe and poolside plants at Banana Beach.

bougainvillea carebougainvillea picturesbelize plantsbougainvillea carebelize flowerplants of belizebelize plantsbelize plantsbelize plants

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tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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6 comments

debbie 05/03/2013 - 9:14 am

if you leave the boganvilla in the flower pot put lots of slits in the pot, then put it in the ground.they flower more

Reply
tacogirl 05/03/2013 - 10:15 am

Great tip Debbie, thanks for sharing.

Reply
Sharyn 04/03/2013 - 9:54 am

Laurie, I have more bougainvillea than I know what to do with! In fact, we have to cut it back severely about once a month because it grows over the wall and down to the ground, giving any nearby n’er-do-wells from Marinaville a place to hide. You are welcome to come and get some trimmings any time you want. I don’t even have to be here…it’s readily available outside my wall.This picture doesn’t show them in bloom very well, but you can see that there are a whole lot of them!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2467832302162&set=a.2467798181309.144659.1442953354&type=3&theater

Reply
tacogirl 04/03/2013 - 10:01 am

Thanks for the offer Sharyn, that is one big bush.

Reply
Jana Reed 04/03/2013 - 9:44 am

Any chance we could get plant names with the pictures?

Reply
tacogirl 04/03/2013 - 9:47 am

Will Add the rest of them in a bit Jana, waiting on Marsha to get the names of the ones I did not know. Found pics of similar on Google but no names to go with.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

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3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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