What are the cultivation methods and precautions for Bougainvillea?
The Chinese botanical name of Bougainvillea is Bougainvillea glabra, also known as San Ye Mei, Mao Bao Jin, Le Du Juan, San Jiao Hua, etc. It is a vine-like shrub plant of the genus Bougainvillea in the Nyctaginaceae family, native to Brazil. In southern China it is planted in courtyards and parks, while in the north it is cultivated in greenhouses. It is a beautiful ornamental plant. Its flowers are used in medicine to regulate qi and blood, treat leucorrhea, and regulate menstruation. Let us now take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for Bougainvillea!
The Cultivation Value of Bougainvillea
1. Ornamental value: Bougainvillea has large bracts with colors as vivid as flowers, and they last for a long time. It is suitable for garden planting or potted display, and can also be used for bonsai, hedges, and pruned topiary. Its ornamental value is very high. In Brazil, women often wear them in their hair as decoration, which is quite unique. In Europe and America, they are commonly used as cut flowers. In southern China it is planted in courtyards and parks, while in the north it is cultivated in greenhouses. It is a beautiful ornamental plant.
2. Medicinal value: Bougainvillea leaves can be used medicinally. Crushed and applied to the affected area, they have the effect of dispelling blood stasis and reducing swelling. The flowers can be used as a medicinal base material, activating blood and regulating menstruation, resolving dampness and stopping leucorrhea, treating blood stasis amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and red and white leucorrhea. The stems and leaves are toxic; eating 12 to 20 pieces can cause diarrhea, bloody stools, etc.
3. Other applications: Bougainvillea is suitable for people whose Five Elements belong to Fire to grow in the living room. It should be planted in the living room, which helps regulate the health of one's heart and stomach. For people who are introverted, timid, melancholic, and lack courage and confidence in life, it also has the effect of warding off evil and protecting the body.
Cultivation Methods for Bougainvillea
1. Soil: Bougainvillea is not demanding about soil. It grows well in well-drained, mineral-rich clay loam. It is tolerant of poor soil, alkali, and drought, but intolerant of waterlogging. Slightly acidic soil is most favorable for the growth of Bougainvillea.
2. Watering: In spring and autumn, water once a day. In summer, water once each in the morning and evening. In winter, watering should be controlled. After flower buds appear, water once each in the morning and evening, and at the same time spray water on the leaves 1 to 2 times. During the plum rain season, prevent waterlogging to avoid root rot and plant death.
3. Temperature: The suitable temperature for growth is 15 to 30°C. In summer, appropriate shading or measures such as spraying water and ventilation should be taken. In winter, the ambient temperature should be maintained at no less than 5°C.
4. Fertilizing: In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer in the potting soil, topdressing should also be done during the growing season. Add a small amount of monopotassium phosphate, and at the same time spray the leaves with a 0.1 to 0.2% monopotassium phosphate solution. During the full blooming period, water with alum fertilizer water once a week, and spray the leaves with 0.2% monopotassium phosphate.
5. Light: Throughout the year, except that newly potted seedlings should first be placed in semi-shade. In winter, it should be placed in front of a south-facing window, and the light duration must not be less than 8 hours.
Precautions for Cultivating Bougainvillea
1. In midsummer and winter, because the plant grows slowly or goes dormant, fertilizing should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage.
2. Do not apply concentrated fertilizer or raw fertilizer (organic fertilizer that has not been fully decomposed) to prevent root damage, which can lead to leaf scorch and shedding, and even the death of the entire plant.
3. In severe cold, it needs to be moved indoors, otherwise it will be frostbitten.
Pest and Disease Control for Bougainvillea
1. Leaf spot disease
[Symptoms] The lesions are initially yellow-brown, surrounded by a yellow-green halo, and later expand into nearly circular or irregular lesions with dark brown edges. In the later stage, small black spots appear on the lesions.
[Control] If a small number of lesions are found, miconazole nitrate cream can be applied to them, and the branches with more severe infection should be cut off. In the early stage of the disease, generally 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution can be used for control, spraying once every 7 to 10 days. In severe cases, according to actual experience, spray once again on the fourth day, and then spray once every 7 days. For 3 to 4 consecutive times, the control effect is good.
2. Brown spot disease
[Symptoms] On the affected leaves, yellow-brown to light brown lesions with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 cm appear on the leaf surface.
[Control] If a small number of diseased leaves are found, remove and burn them promptly. In the early stage of the disease, use 70% mancozeb wettable powder at 400 times dilution, spraying once every 10 days, for 3 consecutive times.
3. Scale insects
[Cause] In environments with poor light, inadequate ventilation, and high temperature and high humidity, various scale insects are prone to occur.
[Control] 45% malathion emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution can be used for spraying and killing.