Why won't your bougainvillea bloom? Here are a few solutions

Bougainvillea is a common ornamental flowering plant, and many people grow a few of them in their yards or along walls. Its colors are vivid and very beautiful, but the bougainvillea that many people grow simply won't bloom. Why is that? Today let's explain properly why the bougainvillea you grow won't bloom, and roughly how much one plant costs.

1. A brief introduction to bougainvillea

1. Bougainvillea is also called paper flower, three-leaf bougainvillea, hairy bougainvillea, Lè dù juān, triangle flower, and small-leaf bougainvillea. It is a vine-like shrub in the Nyctaginaceae family, genus Bougainvillea. The reason bougainvillea got this name is that its flower shape is rather unusual, with only three petals, and these three petals grow in an inverted triangle shape, so it is easy to distinguish from other plum blossoms.

2. Bougainvillea is suited to growing in a warm, humid environment with plenty of light. It is not cold-tolerant. It is native to Brazil, and in China it is distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan, planted in courtyards and parks in the south and cultivated in greenhouses in the north.

3. Bougainvillea has high ornamental value. It can be planted in courtyards or grown in pots for viewing, and can also be used for bonsai, hedges, and pruned shapes. In Europe and America it is often used as a cut flower. In addition, bougainvillea also has medicinal value: the leaves mashed and applied to the affected area have the effect of dispersing blood stasis and reducing swelling. Its stems and leaves are toxic, so avoid eating them by mistake.

4. Bougainvillea has a very long flowering period, and both its flowers and leaves are attractive. It generally blooms from April to November, and the flowering time usually lasts as long as 4 months. As long as the temperature is above 10°C and there is sufficient water and fertilizer, it can potentially bloom all year round.

2. Why won't bougainvillea bloom?

Many people, when growing bougainvillea, always find that when the bougainvillea at home reaches the time it should bloom, it does not bloom. What exactly is going on? What solutions are there? Read on.

1. Insufficient light

Bougainvillea likes light. If the bougainvillea at home is often placed in a relatively dark place, insufficient light during the growing season will cause the plant to grow weakly, affecting bud formation and flowering, and it will easily produce only leaves without flowers. Therefore, sufficient light must be maintained to make it grow luxuriantly and bloom abundantly.

Solution: According to the bougainvillea's flowering period, supplement light in advance. If it is cared for indoors where light conditions are poor, it is recommended to use a fluorescent lamp to supplement light.

2. Insufficient fertilizer

Woody flowering plants have a high demand for fertilizer. The greater the amount of flowering, the more nutrients are consumed. To make bougainvillea bloom, sufficient fertilization must be ensured, and fertilization can be adjusted according to the size of the pot.

Solution: During the vigorous growth period of bougainvillea, apply liquid fertilizer once every half month. Where the ambient temperature is higher, more can be applied. Applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is beneficial to flower bud differentiation and ensures strong flower buds.

3. Branches too dense

Bougainvillea has vigorous vitality and will become as dense as a forest within a few months. Many people are reluctant to prune it. Too many and too dense branches will cause nutrients to be dispersed and prevent flower buds from being triggered, making it difficult to bloom.

Solution: Every spring, cut off some of the weak branches and diseased branches of the bougainvillea. After flowering, also cut off the flower stalks. During care, according to the shape of the plant, irregularly thin out overly dense and excess branches.

4. Improper watering

Bougainvillea has a relatively large demand for water. When watering it, water thoroughly only after the soil has dried out, but about 50 days before flowering, control watering. If watered too much, it will affect flower bud differentiation and make it difficult to bloom.

Solution: Control water before the flowering period, and wait until the leaves wilt before watering.

5. Flower pot too small

Bougainvillea has a well-developed root system and grows rapidly. Grown outdoors, its roots can extend several meters, but home pot cultivation is limited by the size of the pot. If the pot is not changed in time, poor root growth will inevitably affect flowering.

Solution: Frequently replace the flower pot according to the size of the plant.

The five aspects above can affect whether bougainvillea fails to bloom, so pay extra attention to these points during care.

3. How much does one bougainvillea cost?

Bougainvillea has a long flowering period and is beautiful, so many people choose to grow it. So how much is one bougainvillea? According to the market, the price of a pot of bougainvillea is determined by factors such as its size and variety.

1. Small seedlings under 50 cm cost about 3-15 yuan each;

2. Those around 50 cm-1 m cost 20-150 yuan each;

3. Those around 1 m-2 m cost 200-1500 yuan each;

4. Those over 2 m cost about 2000 yuan each. The specific price depends on the local market conditions.

The above is an introduction to the reasons why bougainvillea won't bloom. If you want bougainvillea to bloom, the most important thing is to increase its light. In addition, during normal care, pay more attention to its living habits, such as pruning, water and fertilizer, and light.