How to grow Bougainvillea so it blooms? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions
If you don't look carefully in the park, Bougainvillea is hard to spot. Its blooming season is generally from April to October each year, and it blooms twice a year. The flowers are usually red, purple, and pink, and the color of the blooms can also differ from year to year! So what exactly are the cultivation methods and precautions for Bougainvillea? Here is a detailed explanation:
1. A complete roundup of Bougainvillea cultivation methods and precautions!
1. The 5 major steps of Bougainvillea cultivation methods
(1) Soil selection for Bougainvillea cultivation: What kind of soil is best?
We all know there are three common soil types, but the most suitable soil for growing Bougainvillea is loam. Mixing loam with cow manure soil works even better, because the cow manure provides some nutrients for the Bougainvillea and can make it grow more luxuriantly. Cow manure soil can generally be bought online.
(2) Bougainvillea cultivation timing: Which month is best for cuttings?
Bougainvillea cultivation also depends on timing. Hot summer weather makes it dry out, and it is very hard to keep alive. Winter weather is relatively cold, which is not good for growth. So the best time to take Bougainvillea cuttings is in spring and early summer, that is, from March to May, when the temperature is generally within 15-20 degrees, not very high. This is the best time for cuttings and makes it easier to increase the survival rate.
(3) Watering Bougainvillea: How often is it best to water?
Bougainvillea has a relatively high demand for water, unlike Clivia, whose demand for water is not very obvious. Especially in summer, we need to water the Bougainvillea once a day, but we do not need to water too much; spraying it on the leaves is enough. In winter, we need to control watering well, because generally if the flowerpot soil is not dry, we do not need to water it. If it is dry and you still do not water it, the leaves will drop, so it is best to water once every three days. In autumn and spring, you can choose to water once every two days. Note: when the Bougainvillea is about to bloom, we only need to water once a week, which helps it bloom.
(4) Fertilizing Bougainvillea: What fertilizer is best?
When growing Bougainvillea, you must fertilize it, otherwise it will be very difficult for it to bloom! Generally, you need to fertilize the Bougainvillea once every 15 days, and it is best to apply nitrogen fertilizer. When the Bougainvillea is blooming, we need to apply phosphorus fertilizer several times, as this is best for making the flowers bloom most beautifully. In late autumn and winter, because the weather is relatively cold, you need to stop fertilizing the Bougainvillea. Note: if the temperature rises to 15 degrees, you can fertilize once a month, but it is best not to apply urea, as it will make the leaves and flowers wither.
(5) Light for Bougainvillea: How is it best controlled?
Bougainvillea is an ornamental plant that relatively loves sunlight. Only in sunlight can it grow well, so this needs to be controlled manually by us. It is best to take it out to the balcony to sunbathe more in winter, and in summer place it in a semi-shaded spot, where it can still get sunlight but not be exposed to scorching sun. If it gets no sunlight every day, it will drop leaves.
2. The 5 major precautions for growing Bougainvillea
(1) Light requirements
Whether you grow Bougainvillea in a pot or plant a large patch of it in a park, it needs sufficient sunlight. Insufficient sunlight will lead to plant rot, fewer flowers, and a shorter flowering period. If you control the light well, none of the above three things will happen, and it will bloom more brilliantly.
(2) Temperature requirements
Bougainvillea is a plant that is very intolerant of cold, so in winter it is best to keep the temperature above 10 degrees. So move it outside only when there is sunlight, and when there is no sunlight, just keep it indoors. Indoors, you can place it next to the TV cabinet, where there is a little light. If you still leave the Bougainvillea outside in the dead of winter, it will drop leaves and die.
(3) Repotting the soil
The root system of Bougainvillea is especially well developed, so the potting soil needs to be changed once a year. Because Bougainvillea needs a lot of water, over time the soil will clump, and at that point you need to loosen the soil in time and also clear away some weeds. If you do not change the potting soil in time, the roots will rot because they cannot absorb nutrients.
(4) Pruning
Bougainvillea needs to be pruned once a year in March and April, because this is spring, when all things revive. Pruning the Bougainvillea at this time is good for its growth throughout the whole year. I need to prune away the short, heavy, and sparse parts. The second pruning is in November and December, because the flowers have faded by then, and pruning helps ensure blooming the next year.
(5) Pests and diseases
A common pest and disease problem of Bougainvillea is dieback, so when you find dieback, you need to loosen the soil and improve airflow in time, and put it in a sunny place to reduce the spread of the disease. If it is relatively serious, you can buy some medicine and spray it.
The above is the complete roundup of Bougainvillea cultivation methods and precautions. Remember to save it!
2. How much does a Bougainvillea usually cost per plant?
How much does a Bougainvillea usually cost per plant? It depends on the variety and size. If the variety is good and it is relatively large, it can sell for around 1000 yuan per plant. If it is an ordinary variety of moderate size, the price is around 20-30 yuan per plant. So the price of Bougainvillea is affected by many factors, and the final price depends on your choice of variety. I hope the above answer helps you understand the price of Bougainvillea.
3. How many times does Bougainvillea usually bloom in a year?
Bougainvillea is a plant that blooms year-round. If you take careful care of it, it can bloom three times a year. If it is not cared for well, it is relatively difficult for it to bloom even once a year. But in July and August each year, Bougainvillea will not bloom, due to the relatively hot weather. In summary, it can be seen that Bougainvillea blooming depends on how well you care for it! Following the above 5 major cultivation methods and 5 major precautions, blooming several times a year is not a problem.
Summary: The above is the complete roundup of Bougainvillea cultivation methods and precautions compiled for everyone. Only by following them can it bloom! This article is compiled from the internet.