Grow bougainvillea this way and its flowering period can last up to 200 days

The bougainvillea has a peculiar flower shape, with bracts that look like leaves and the flowers nestled among the bracts, so it is also called "paper flower." The blooms are brilliantly colored and gorgeously vibrant, and they are most eye-catching when in flower.

How can you make its flowering period longer and its colors even more vivid and dazzling? Then you need to pay attention to the following points in your day-to-day care:

1. Light and temperature:

Bougainvillea is a light-loving plant. During the growing period, it should be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight. The stronger the sunlight, the more it blooms. If the growing environment lacks light and is shaded, it will bloom little or not at all, and may even drop a large number of leaves. Before the frost in winter, move it indoors for care, and also place it in a sunny spot.

2. Fertilizer control:

Bougainvillea is quite fond of fertilizer. During the growing period, apply nitrogen fertilizer once a week, which helps flower bud differentiation and ensures the flower buds grow strong; during the flowering period, increase phosphorus fertilizer. For bougainvillea planted in the ground, you can usually collect some fish intestines, fish innards and chicken manure and bury them beside the plant, not directly beneath it, and the bougainvillea will bloom abundantly and persistently.

3. Repotting and changing the soil:

Bougainvillea has a well-developed root system and strong growth. If planted in the ground, its roots can extend several meters, but a potted bougainvillea does not have that many nutrients. If you do not repot or fertilize for a long time, it will bloom far less. So generally repot once every 2 years, and it is best to repot before the buds sprout.

Before repotting, stop watering the potting soil for a few days; dry soil makes it easier to remove the plant from the pot without damaging the roots. First remove some of the old soil, but keep some of the original soil around the root system. If you are not confident, or if the plant is already growing very vigorously, simply move it to a larger pot and fill in soil.

4. Watering control

It likes water but must not be waterlogged. The flower bud differentiation of bougainvillea is closely related to how much water it gets. About 30 days before flowering, you should control watering; generally, do not water until the soil is dry, and after a month resume normal watering and care. Bougainvillea is relatively drought-tolerant, so water only when the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when you do; soil that is too wet will cause leaf drop and root rot.

5. Pruning branches and leaves:

Prune the branches in spring or after the flowering period, cutting away overly dense branches, dry and withered branches, diseased and weak branches, and crossing branches. Leggy branches consume too many nutrients, leaving the main branches short of nutrients. After the flowering period, promptly remove the spent flowers. During the growing period, pinch off the growing tips to encourage side branches and new buds.

Remember these points, and you are sure to make your paper flower bloom in gorgeous, vivid colors and truly shine.