How Does Bougainvillea Overwinter in Winter? A Detailed Guide to Overwintering Care
Bougainvillea, also called paperflower, originated in Brazil in South America and was only introduced to Europe for cultivation around the 1830s. In China, apart from the southern regions where it can be grown outdoors and overwintered, so how does bougainvillea overwinter in winter?
1. How does bougainvillea overwinter?
1. Pruning and tying
Before moving bougainvillea indoors in winter, prune it appropriately first, keeping the main branches and some flowering branches to reduce nutrient consumption.
2. Stop fertilizing and control watering
In winter, temperatures are low and water evaporates slowly, so reduce watering and keep the potting soil on the dry side. At the same time, stop fertilizing to prevent vigorous vegetative growth from resuming after being brought indoors due to higher temperatures, which weakens cold resistance and is detrimental to growth.
Bougainvillea enters a brief dormant period in winter and may drop its leaves. After dormancy and leaf drop, decide whether to water based on the situation; if the soil is too dry, water a small amount locally around the edge of the pot.
3. Control aphids
When bougainvillea is moved indoors in winter, before it drops its leaves it is highly prone to aphid infestation, which needs to be controlled promptly to avoid infecting the entire bougainvillea.
2. The main value of bougainvillea
Bougainvillea has a certain ability to resist sulfur dioxide and is a very good environmental greening plant. In southern China, it is often used for courtyard greening, as flower hedges and trellis plants, and in flowerbeds and flower borders, all with its unique charm. Cut-flower arrangements have their own distinctive appeal.
Its paperflower blooms can be used as medicine, with the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and harmonizing qi and blood. It has a certain effect on treating irregular menstruation in women and gangrene toxins.
Bougainvillea has high ornamental value and is used in southern China as a climbing flowering plant for walls. Every Spring Festival, green leaves set off the bright red bracts, like a peacock spreading its tail, especially dazzling and eye-catching. Grown in pots in the north and placed at the entrance of porches, courtyards and halls, it is very striking.