Bougainvillea only grows leaves but won't bloom: causes and solutions
Bougainvillea is a plant with relatively strong adaptability and can be grown in both northern and southern China. It is a very suitable ornamental plant. However, when growing bougainvillea, we sometimes encounter a situation where the leaves grow wildly but it simply will not bloom. For a flowering plant, never blooming is quite a blow to the grower. Below, Qinnong Web will introduce what to do when bougainvillea does not bloom.
1. Reasons bougainvillea does not bloom
First, Qinnong Web will introduce the reasons bougainvillea does not bloom, and then find corresponding solutions based on those reasons. Qinnong Web has summarized four reasons here, including too little growing space, insufficient light, overly dense branches, and improper water and fertilizer. Let's look at them specifically below.
1. Insufficient growing space
Bougainvillea has a well-developed root system and grows rapidly, so it needs to be repotted in time. Bougainvillea planted in gardens and courtyards in open ground often blooms abundantly because its root system has a large growing space and can extend without limit. But household potted plants are limited by pot size. If they are not repotted in time, the roots grow poorly, and this inevitably affects flowering.
2. Insufficient light
Bougainvillea originated in tropical regions and likes sufficient light. It needs light throughout its entire growth period, and even full sun exposure does not matter. The longer the sunshine duration, the more it blooms and the more brilliant the flower color. Conversely, it not only will not bloom, but even the leaves will gradually become dull and leaf drop will occur.
3. Overly dense branches
Bougainvillea has strong vitality and will become as dense as a forest in a few months, so it needs timely pruning. If branches are not pruned in time and become too dense, excess nutrients will be lost, affecting flower bud differentiation and making blooming difficult.
4. Improper water and fertilizer
Before the flowering period, water should be properly controlled. If watered too much, flower bud differentiation will be affected and blooming will be difficult. In addition, bougainvillea needs sufficient nutrients to bloom, especially phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, but if too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the leaves will be emerald green and the flowers will be sparse.
2. Solutions for bougainvillea not blooming
1. Repot in time
According to different plant growth conditions, we should repot bougainvillea in time. Repotting is usually chosen in spring. If the plant grows well, there may be two repotting processes in a year. As long as it meets the plant's growth needs, that is normal.
2. Increase light
According to the flowering period of bougainvillea, supplement light in advance. In the north, bougainvillea needs to be grown in a greenhouse. If the light environment in the greenhouse is relatively poor, fluorescent lamps can be used to supplement light.
3. Prune in time
If bougainvillea grows too densely, it should be pruned in time. This is not only beautiful, but also ensures that nutrients can be used effectively, and it is also good for ventilation.
4. Control water and increase fertilizer
Bougainvillea's flowering period is between winter and spring. Before the flowering period arrives, water must be strictly controlled, and watering can wait until the leaves wilt; at the same time, fertilization must also be well controlled, with timely topdressing. When fertilizing, nitrogen fertilizer can be appropriately reduced and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer increased, which is more conducive to flowering.
The above is what Qinnong Web introduces about the reasons bougainvillea does not bloom and the corresponding solutions, hoping to bring everyone some help. Note that bougainvillea is a light-loving plant. To extend the flowering period, light must be increased, and at the same time, prune in time after the flowers fade, so that the spectacular bloom can be seen again next year.