Nutrients

• Bougainvillea are heavy feeders, requiring a lot of nutrients to produce their colorful bracts. Feed bougainvillea throughout the growing season with a fertilizer high in potash such as those geared toward hibiscus. Fertilizers high in nitrogen cause the plant to produce abundant leaves while reducing or eliminating flower and bract production.
  
  

Water

• Too much water causes bougainvillea to reduce or stop flower production. Let your bougainvillea dry out between waterings. Water only when the first inch or so of soil is dry.
  
  

Location

• Bougainvillea bloom better when slightly root-bound. Growing these vines in containers rather than planting them in the garden soil, assures a season of color.
  
  

Pruning

• Bougainvillea flowers bloom on new wood. Severe pruning too late in the spring, after new leaves emerge, cuts away all the new flowers until new growth is produced. To reduce size, prune your bougainvillea in the fall or lightly pinch back during the growing season.
  
  

Light

• Bougainvilleas grow in full to partial sun. Plants get their energy from the sun and when they don't get enough, one of the first casualties is flower production. Make sure your bougainvillea is getting at least six hours of sun every day.