How Does Bougainvillea Get Through Winter? Master the Winter Care and Management Methods

The scientific name of bougainvillea is Bougainvillea glabra, and it also has other aliases such as paper flower and purple triangle. It originated in Brazil, and in China it is mainly distributed in southern regions such as Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi and Yunnan, and is suitable for planting in courtyards, parks and other locations. Bougainvillea has particularly strong adaptability and can be cultivated in both northern and southern China, but because bougainvillea is not cold-tolerant, it needs special care in winter. Below, Qinnong Network introduces the methods for winter care of bougainvillea.

I. Growth Habits of Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea originated in Brazil, and its growing environment is mainly tropical climate, so bougainvillea likes sufficient light and a warm environment. Although the name of bougainvillea contains "mei", it is not as cold-tolerant as China's plum blossom. On the contrary, this is a plant that is not very cold-tolerant, and when the temperature drops to a certain level in winter, it will enter a dormant state.

II. Winter Care and Management Methods for Bougainvillea

1. Watering

Because this plant is rather afraid of cold, and the lowest temperature it can tolerate is only 8 degrees, watering should not be excessive in order to let this plant smoothly pass through the cold winter. In winter it is generally placed in a warmer place for cultivation. If the normal watering amount is maintained as usual at this time, then this plant will grow luxuriantly because of the higher temperature and relatively suitable moisture. In this case, its own cold resistance will decline even more, which is very bad for its growth. Finally, it is worth noting that if watering is really needed, it is best to water with warm water.

2. Fertilizing

Because this plant has particularly weak cold resistance, in winter it is best to choose dormancy to help it smoothly pass through winter. If fertilizer is applied at this time, it will promote its growth, thereby reducing its ability to resist cold, so in winter, any fertilizer should be stopped.

3. Daily Management

In most areas of China, when cultivating bougainvillea in winter, bougainvillea needs to be moved indoors. If there is no heating indoors and the temperature is on the low side, it is best to move bougainvillea into a greenhouse for cultivation. Because both indoors and a greenhouse can be called closed environments, bougainvillea should be ventilated during periods of strong sunlight in winter. Bougainvillea in a dormant state in winter is more suitable for its growth, so if the temperature is relatively high, appropriate cooling treatment can also be carried out.

4. Time for Moving Into and Out of Warm Areas

Because the climate difference between northern and southern China is relatively large, when cultivating bougainvillea in China, the care methods in the north and south are also different, such as the time for moving it into a greenhouse or indoors. In southern China, when the winter temperature is lower than 8°C, it is usually late November or early December, and at this time the potted bougainvillea should be moved indoors or into a greenhouse, while winter comes early in northern China, and usually by mid-November bougainvillea should be moved into a warm area. The time of moving in is different, and the time of moving out will also be different. In southern regions, the temperature around March begins to warm up, and the potted plant can be moved out of the warm area according to the specific weather conditions, while in the north the winter lasts a long time, and if it is also moved out of the warm area in March, it is very easy to cause bougainvillea to suffer frostbite. Once bougainvillea is frozen, it cannot normally produce flowers during the flowering period. The suitable time for moving it out of the warm area in the north is late April or early May.

The above is the introduction by Qinnong Network about winter care methods for bougainvillea. Bougainvillea is very beautiful during its flowering period and is a very attractive ornamental plant. Its flowers can be used as medicine, but the flower stems and leaves are toxic, and accidental ingestion may cause diarrhea, so attention should be paid during cultivation!