What to Do When Bougainvillea Roots Rot? Here Comes the Latest Treatment Method

Bougainvillea has brightly colored flowers, a long blooming period, and large bracts, making it much loved and suitable for courtyard planting or home potted display. Many friends inevitably encounter some problems during the growing process, so what should be done when bougainvillea roots rot? And how should we handle it? Let's take a look below.

Causes of Root Rot

1. Improper watering

Improper watering is the main cause of problems in bougainvillea. Bougainvillea likes a humid environment but dislikes waterlogging. If watered too much, it is very easy for the potting soil to become excessively waterlogged, and too much standing water can easily lead to root rot.

Solution: Enlarge the drainage holes of the flower pot, and place a layer of coarse sand or foam plastic granules at the bottom of the pot. Do not water too frequently; water according to the growth stage and the weather and season. Water when the soil looks dry, and when watering, water thoroughly.

2. Potting soil problems

Bougainvillea has a relatively developed root system. If the growing pot is too small, the roots cannot spread out, which is unsuitable for its growth. The planting soil should be loose, fertile, well-draining, and also well aerated. If the soil is too sticky or becomes compacted due to water accumulation, it can easily make the roots struggle to breathe, causing poor plant growth or even rot.

Solution: The flower pot can be changed according to the degree of plant growth, preferably once a year. Choose soil with good air permeability, and add a drainage layer when filling the pot. River sand or coal cinder can be added to the soil to increase air permeability, but note that coal cinder is alkaline, so when adding it, soak it in water for one to two days.

What to Do When Roots Rot

Root rot can be divided into two situations. One is mild root rot, where only part of the root system has rotted and most of the roots are still healthy and intact. In this case, we only need to cut off the rotten parts and replant after the wound has healed. The other is severe root rot, where a large area has already rotted. This is very regrettable, but we can propagate it again, and can choose cuttings or grafting for propagation.

The above is an introduction to root rot in bougainvillea. In fact, not only bougainvillea, but the causes and treatment methods of root rot in most plants are similar, so when growing potted plants, we must pay attention to the problem of water accumulation in the potting soil, and when it comes to potting soil, it is better to keep it dry than wet.