Bougainvillea, the name itself is delightful, evoking a sense of its passionate and vibrant life force. What does it actually look like? Let's step into this colorful world and find out!
Bougainvillea's Branches and Leaves
The branches of a bougainvillea are like those of a dancer, both elegant and powerful. They grow densely, dotted with small thorns, as if telling a story of their resilience. The leaves, its dance partners, are oval or ovate with smooth edges and covered in a fine layer of fuzz, giving them a soft texture.
Bougainvillea's Flowers
When it comes to the flowers of the bougainvillea, they are truly its soul. Each flower is like a small stage, putting on a spectacular performance. The bougainvillea's flowers aren't large, but they are incredibly colorful, with shades of red, yellow, purple, and white that are dazzling to the eye.
The most eye-catching feature is its bracts, the true stars of the show. The bracts are elliptic-ovate, with a base that is rounded to heart-shaped, measuring 2.5-6.5 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide. They are dark red or light purplish-red, resembling blooming roses. The calyx tube is narrowly cylindrical, 1.6-2.4 cm long, green, and densely covered with short, soft hairs. It has 5-6 shallow, spreading, yellow lobes at the tip, 3.5-5 mm long. This combination makes one marvel at the wonder of nature.
Bougainvillea's Growing Environment
Bougainvillea prefers a warm, humid climate and is not cold-tolerant. It thrives in full sun. It is not demanding about soil and can tolerate both dry and wet conditions, but slightly drier soil can deepen the flower color. During its growth, bougainvillea needs plenty of sunlight, with 6-8 hours of daily exposure being most suitable.
Bougainvillea's Medicinal ValueBougainvillea is not only beautiful but also has medicinal properties. Its leaves can be used to disperse stasis, reduce swelling, invigorate blood, and regulate menstruation, offering some relief for irregular menstruation. However, its stems are toxic and should not be ingested.
Bougainvillea's Meaning and SymbolismThe flower language of bougainvillea is "passion," as its vibrant red color often gives a passionate impression. Additionally, it symbolizes tenacity and perseverance, making it a suitable gift for friends. However, in some regions, it can also signify "no true love," so it is often not given as a gift there.
Bougainvillea's CareCaring for bougainvillea is not difficult; just pay attention to the following points:
1. Watering: Bougainvillea requires a significant amount of water. In the hot summer, a lack of water can cause leaves to drop, affecting growth and flowering. Therefore, it needs watering every two days, once in the morning and once in the evening. Watering can be reduced after the flowering period, as excessive water can lead to root rot.
2. Sunlight: Bougainvillea loves light and is not cold-tolerant. Daily sunlight of 6-8 hours can accelerate growth, increase the number of flowers, extend the blooming period, and deepen the petal color. Insufficient light will result in slow branch growth and no flowers.
3. Fertilizing: Bougainvillea is a heavy feeder. During the growing season, apply liquid fertilizer once a week. To produce larger, more vibrant flowers, supplement with 2-3 applications of phosphate fertilizer during the blooming period. As the weather cools, fertilize once every two weeks. However, bougainvillea is sensitive to urea; too much urea will cause an excess of leaves and fewer flowers.
Bougainvillea, a life full of passion and vitality, is truly captivating. Its unique beauty is intoxicating, making one linger and forget to leave. Let's appreciate this colorful world together and enjoy the beauty that bougainvillea brings!