A bougainvillea branch broken off by the roadside can bloom the very next year

Bougainvillea, commonly known as paperflower, is widely cultivated in China. In the south it is mostly planted in courtyards or parks, while in the north it is mainly kept indoors; it is a very beautiful ornamental plant.

Flower lovers who are thinking of getting a pot would do well to learn now how to care for it.

I. Propagation methods

Cuttings are the common propagation method for bougainvillea, and they root very easily. In May and June, cut a 20cm-long woody branch from a friend's plant, insert it into a sand pot, cover it with glass, and keep it moist; it will take root and sprout within a month, and bloom the following year.

II. Soil conditions

Bougainvillea fears waterlogging and cannot tolerate excess moisture, so the growing medium should be a well-draining soil. For ordinary households, the following soil recipes can be used: garden soil : leaf mold : sand = 5:3:2; peat soil : leaf mold : sand : perlite = 5:2:2:1.

III. Watering

Bougainvillea has a high water demand during the flowering period; a lack of water easily causes leaf drop and affects flowering and growth. So in summer during the flowering period, you can spray water in the morning and water in the late afternoon or evening, but at the same time the pot soil must not be too wet, to avoid root rot. In winter, control watering and do not water until the pot soil is dry.

IV. Fertilizing

During the growing period, bougainvillea needs fertilizer to supplement nutrients, so as not to affect normal growth. Generally, in May-June, apply 10%-15% cake fertilizer solution twice a month to promote the growth of spring shoots; in July-August, apply 10% cake fertilizer solution once every 2-3 weeks along with a small amount of superphosphate or a small amount of compound fertilizer solution; after the autumn temperature turns cooler, fertilizing should be stopped.

V. Temperature

The optimum growing temperature for bougainvillea is 15-30 degrees; it tolerates high temperatures well in summer but cannot stand the cold in winter. When the summer temperature exceeds 35 degrees, measures such as shading and spraying water should be taken to cool it down; in winter it is recommended to move potted plants indoors and keep the temperature above 10 degrees for safe overwintering.

VI. Light

Bougainvillea is a sun-loving flower and likes sunshine; during the growing period, sufficient light must be ensured, otherwise flowering will be affected. Give as much light as possible every day, keeping it at more than 8 hours.

VII. Pruning

Bougainvillea grows branches and leaves quickly, so it is necessary to prune it every year. Pruning is generally done after flowering; promptly cut off spent flowers, dense branches, dry branches, and diseased or weak branches, so as to encourage new shoots.

Don't be afraid when you run into problems growing flowers; use the tool with the person standing next to the globe to search for "Liuyi Potted Plants", which teaches you how to grow flowers and lets you grow any flower!