How to grow potted Bougainvillea? Latest Care Methods Shared

Bougainvillea, scientific name Bougainvillea glabra, also known as three-leaf bougainvillea, hairy bracts, paperflower, etc., is a vine-like shrub plant of the Nyctaginaceae family, Bougainvillea genus, native to Brazil. In southern China it is planted in courtyards and parks, and in the north it is cultivated in greenhouses. It has diverse varieties, and the plant has strong adaptability, not only widely distributed in the southern regions, but also cultivable in the cold north. Now let us take a look together at how to grow potted bougainvillea!

Growth Habits of Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea likes a warm and humid climate, is not cold-tolerant, and likes sufficient light. It has diverse varieties, and the plant has strong adaptability, not only widely distributed in the southern regions, but also cultivable in the cold north. Only in the north the flower colors are relatively limited. Potted flowers enter a forced dormant state when the temperature drops to a certain level, and during the non-dormant period, insufficient light causes abnormal flower drop, and along with sufficient water, the flowers fade early. In the dormant state, bougainvillea is not sensitive to light intensity, but due to low temperature it shows a longer lifespan, and due to less water it also shows a longer lifespan.

Propagation Methods of Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is commonly propagated by cuttings and is easy to raise. In May and June, cut mature woody branches, 20 cm long, insert them into a sand pot, cover with glass, keep moist, and they can take root in about one month. After two years of cultivation they can bloom. The whole plant's flowering period is very long, up to three or four months. During the flowering period there are many fallen flowers and leaves, which need to be removed promptly to keep it fresh and beautiful.

How to grow potted bougainvillea?

1. Soil: Bougainvillea is not strict about soil, but it fears waterlogging and is not tolerant of waterlogging, so a loose, well-drained culture soil must be chosen. Generally, a culture soil made of 4 parts humus soil, 4 parts garden soil, and 2 parts sand can be used, or sun-dried pond mud mixed with some coal cinder can be used as potting soil.

2. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for bougainvillea is 15-30°C, of which May to September is 19-30°C, and October to the following April is 13-16°C. In summer it can withstand high temperatures of 35°C. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, appropriate shading or measures such as spraying water and ventilation should be taken. In winter, an ambient temperature of no less than 5°C should be maintained, otherwise when the temperature is below 5°C for a long time, it is prone to freezing and leaf drop. Flowering requires a temperature above 15°C. To extend the flowering period, it should be moved indoors promptly before the cold wave arrives in early winter, placed in a sunny spot, and a relatively high ambient temperature should be maintained.

3. Light: Bougainvillea likes light and is a sun-loving flower. Insufficient light during the growing season will cause the plant to grow weakly, affecting bud formation and flowering. Therefore, throughout the year, except that newly potted young seedlings should first be placed in a semi-shady place. In winter it should be placed in front of a south-facing window, and the light duration must not be less than 8 hours, otherwise a large number of leaves will fall. It is a short-day flower; controlling the daily light duration to about 9 hours can make it form buds and bloom after one and a half months.

4. Watering: Usually master the principle of “do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when watering.” But to bloom neatly and abundantly, water control must be carried out before flowering. Starting from September, control the watering of bougainvillea. Each watering should wait until the potting soil is dry and the branches and leaves are soft and drooping, and this should be repeated continuously for half a month. After half a month, resume normal watering. During the water control period, absolutely do not fertilize, so as to avoid fertilizer burning the root system. In this way, in about one month buds will appear and it will bloom, and the flowers will open neatly and abundantly.

5. Pruning: Bougainvillea grows rapidly. During the growing period, attention should be paid to shaping and pruning to promote the growth of side branches and produce more flowering branches. The number of prunings is generally 1-3 times, and it should not be too many, otherwise it will affect the number of flowerings. After each flowering, promptly remove the residual flowers to reduce nutrient consumption. After the flowering period, thin out overly dense branches, inner branches, leggy branches, and weak branches. Other branches are generally not pruned, or only the branch tips are slightly pruned. Heavy pruning should not be done, so as to shorten the next growth period and promote earlier flowering and multiple flowerings.

6. Repotting: Because of long-term watering, fertilizing, and rainwater washing, the potting soil of bougainvillea easily becomes compacted. Therefore, the soil must be loosened regularly, and weeds in the potting soil should be removed at the same time, so as to benefit the growth of bougainvillea. Otherwise, the potting soil will become compacted and waterlogged, easily causing root rot or poor growth. In addition, Bougainvillea glabra grows relatively fast, has a well-developed root system, and has very many fibrous roots, so it needs to be repotted once a year.

Pest and Disease Control of Bougainvillea

1. Leaf spot disease

[Symptoms] The lesions are initially yellow-brown, surrounded by a yellow-green halo, then expand into nearly round or irregular lesions with dark brown edges. In the later stage, small black dots appear on the lesions.

[Control] If a small number of lesions are found, apply Daktarin cream ointment on them, and cut off the branches with more disease. In the early stage of the disease, generally 50% carbendazim wettable powder 500 times solution can be used for control, sprayed once every 7-10 days. In severe cases, according to actual experience, spray once more on the fourth day, and then spray once every 7 days. For 3-4 consecutive times, the control effect is good.

2. Brown spot disease

[Symptoms] On the affected leaves, yellow-brown to light brown lesions with a diameter of 0.1-0.5 cm are produced on the leaf surface.

[Control] If a small number of diseased leaves are found, remove and burn them promptly. In the early stage of the disease, use 70% mancozeb wettable powder 400 times solution, spray once every 10 days, for 3-consecutive times.

3. Scale insects

[Symptoms] In environments with poor light, inadequate ventilation, and high temperature and high humidity, various scale insects are prone to occur.

[Control] 45% malathion emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times solution can be used for spraying and killing.