How to grow Bougainvillea? Detailed guide to growing methods and precautions

The soil for growing Bougainvillea is best a sandy soil rich in humus, loose, fertile and highly permeable. Except that newly potted seedlings should first be placed in semi-shade, it should usually be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight, keeping the temperature above 5°C. Control watering before flowering, and resume normal watering after flowering; fertilize appropriately during the growing season with rotted fertilizer at a dilute concentration. Repot once a year, preferably when the potting soil is relatively dry.

I. Growing methods for Bougainvillea

1. Soil: A sandy soil rich in humus, loose, fertile and highly permeable is best; avoid clay soil.

2. Light: Except that newly potted seedlings should first be placed in semi-shade, at other times it should be placed in a spot with very abundant sunlight.

3. Temperature: The suitable growing temperature is 15-30°C, and in winter the temperature should be kept no lower than 5°C.

4. Watering: Control watering before flowering and follow the principle of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”; water only after the potting soil has dried and the branches and leaves have softened and drooped. Resume normal watering only after flowers have emerged from its leaf axils.

5. Fertilizing: Fertilize appropriately during the growing season; the fertilizer should be rotted, applied in small amounts and often, at a dilute concentration. Never fertilize during the water-control period, so as to avoid fertilizer burning the roots.

6. Pruning: Follow the principle of “short, heavy, thin”, that is, shorten horizontal branches, heavily prune new shoots, and thin out dense and weak branches. Pruning is generally done in March to April before budding or in November to December after the flowers fade and before new shoots grow.

7. Repotting: Repot once a year, preferably in spring or autumn.

II. Precautions for growing Bougainvillea

When repotting, it is best to do so when the potting soil is relatively dry, not right after watering; it is best to remove half or one third of the original soil, and do not let its root ball fall apart. If you lack experience, do not remove all the potting soil.