Q: I have never seen this happen to a bougainvillea before. One bract divided down the middle, half-red/half-white on my white bougainvillea. I brought the plant in just before Halloween. Is this normal? I have grown bougainvillea for 50 years and, again, have never seen this happen. — A.H., Albuquerque

A: I’m guessing that the bougainvillea was well in bloom as you brought it in, and wondered if you fertilized just beforehand or soon after bringing it in.