Can't grow bougainvillea? Learn from this grandpa, his grew taller than a 9-story building
A few days ago, a grandpa in Yunyuan Xincun, Guangzhou became an internet sensation - the bougainvillea he grew reached a full 9 stories high! This broke last year's record set by a grandma in Shenzhen with her 8-story-high plant. Haha, for the rest of you onlookers, how is your bougainvillea doing?
The mighty bougainvillea
Grow Flowers Complete Guide
Come on, let's first take a look at these two "internet-famous" bougainvilleas and see what they actually look like:
On the left, the 9-story-high bougainvillea of the Guangzhou grandpa; on the right, the 8-story-high bougainvillea of the Shenzhen grandma
Without comparison, you wouldn't know - sure enough, the grandpa's is more balanced. A bougainvillea waterfall built by steady effort truly lives up to its reputation!
Standing downstairs and looking up, you can't even see the top!
I wonder how the neighbors around feel... Huahua just wants to say, sir, you're amazing!
After seeing the grandpa's and grandma's bougainvilleas, isn't it time to show off yours too? Recently, quite a few flower lovers have come to complain: everyone says bougainvillea is easy to grow, so why can't I grow mine well?
Bougainvillea habits
Grow Flowers Complete Guide
Bougainvillea is native to Brazil and loves light and heat. In the south, bougainvillea blooms in winter and spring; in the north, it blooms in spring, summer and autumn. With good care, the flowering period can last more than 200 days!
Bougainvillea loves light and needs sufficient sunlight to bloom normally. Besides planting it in a yard or on a rooftop, you can also grow it on a south-facing balcony
Bougainvillea has many flowers and gets sun every day, so by common sense it should get thirsty easily, but it is actually fairly drought-tolerant. Every household's bougainvillea is a different size, so just water when you see the potting soil has dried out
Water control for bougainvillea: force flowering and strengthen the roots
Grow Flowers Complete Guide
If you want to grow bougainvillea as tall as a multi-story building like the masters do, it can't be achieved in just one or two steps. The most important thing is water control!
Why control water
Bougainvillea is fairly drought-tolerant. These days we treat our plants so preciously and water them at every turn, so bougainvillea easily grows leggy, the main stem isn't sturdy, and it doesn't bloom frequently
After water control, the bougainvillea's nutrients concentrate in the main stem, speeding up the lignification of the branches. It quickly becomes as sturdy as a small tree, and flower buds come popping out!
How to control water
Conditions vary by region. Start 1-2 months before the flowering period. First, stop watering until the leaves are half drooping (as shown in the picture below). Keep this state for half a day, then water thoroughly
After watering thoroughly, the bougainvillea absorbs it quickly. Repeat this several times and it will get stronger and stronger!
Care after water control
Generally, after about 18-21 days of water control, flower buds start to appear. At this point you can stop controlling water and water normally once every 1-2 days, depending on the size of the plant
Fertilizing bougainvillea for rapid growth
Grow Flowers Complete Guide
For bougainvillea to grow rapidly and bloom over the long term, the most effective method is continuous fertilizing
Fertilizing 1: Professional fertilizer
Generally, the compound fertilizer and various phosphorus fertilizers we use for growing flowers are all fine. You can fertilize according to the instructions
Fertilizing 2: Manure
Chicken manure and cow/sheep manure are especially good organic phosphorus fertilizers. Before use, it's best to sun-dry them first, then mix them into the soil 3 times a month, about 2-5 grams each time, depending on the size of the plant
Fertilizing 3: Fish scale and fish intestine fertilizer
Fish scales and fish intestines composted into alum fertilizer water can serve as phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer water with clean water (1:1000) and water the bougainvillea with it - it will absolutely bloom nonstop!
Fertilizing 4: Fruit peel fertilizer
Fruit peel compost doesn't stink. Watermelon rind, orange peel, pomelo peel, tangerine peel and banana peel can all be composted into fertilizer water
Fertilizing 5: Rice-washing water
For relatively sturdy bougainvillea, you can directly water it with rice-washing water without worrying about burning the roots. If yours is still rather thin and weak, it's best to compost it for 1 week first, then dilute it with clean water before watering
Pruning bougainvillea for beauty and health
Grow Flowers Complete Guide
Bougainvillea will grow wildly if you're not careful, so it needs frequent pruning!
Huahua suggests that after the bougainvillea blooms, cut off the flower stalks, cut off one third of the length of the thin flowering branches that stick out, and thin out overly dense branches as well as weak branches, short branches and inner branches
Flower lovers can also prune according to the shape they want, creating even more unique forms!
Growing an "internet-famous" bougainvillea
Isn't that hard either
As long as you persist patiently
Yours can make the news too!