How to grow bougainvillea in winter
Northern flower friends always worry about bougainvillea every winter. Can this tropical beauty really bloom in a sub-zero environment? Mastering scientific conservation methods, you can harvest trees and flowers even in ice and snow. Based on ten years of horticultural experience, this article interprets the four core skills that allow bougainvillea to continue to bloom in severe cold. 1. The golden rule of water management The principle of controlling water in winter and promoting flower promotion principle of bougainvillea is native to tropical South America, and its root system has water storage characteristics. When the temperature difference between day and night reaches 8℃, moderate water stress can stimulate flowering gene expression. It is recommended to use the "three-finger test method": insert your fingers into the second knuckle of the pot soil, dry completely before watering. The operation specifications for pouring water use the dipping basin method to replenish water more evenly, and the water temperature must be consistent with room temperature. Complete watering before 10 a.m. to avoid freezing roots at night. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (1:1500) can be added during flower bud differentiation. 2. The artistic fill light system for light control is built in areas north of 35° north latitude. It is recommended to install full-spectrum plant lights to fill light for 4 hours a day (16:00-20:00). The lamp is 50cm away from the plant and is accurately controlled using a timer. Reflective film can be added to the southeast window sill to improve light efficiency by 30%. Light cycle management Maintaining a light cycle of 12 hours/day is most conducive to flower bud formation. A short-day environment can be artificially created through black shading cloth, and flowering can be induced for 45 days. 3. Accurate control of nutrient supply and control of cold season fertilization formula uses slow-release fertilizer with N-P-K=3-12-12, and 20 grains (about 5 g) are sprinkled per pot. Cooperate with foliar spraying of alginate (1:800) once every 15 days. Ground planted plants can be buried in decomposed sheep manure (depth of 20cm). Tips for root protection: It is recommended to use foam boxes for protection in sub-zero environments: the diameter of the box is 15cm larger than the basin diameter, and it is filled with dry pine needles as heat insulation. Cooperate with white agent to treat the trunk to prevent freezing cracks. 4. The timing of modeling pruning should be grasped. The winter pruning rules of "bougainvillea" are used in this way: cut off dead branches, inner branches, and thin and weak branches; retain flowering mother branches, thick new branches, and light side branches. Apply healing agents to the wound to prevent bacterial infection. Traction and shaping techniques Use plastic-coated iron wire to make a fan bracket and fix the branches at a 45° angle. Adjust the traction direction every two weeks to ensure uniform light reception. Combined with picking treatment, flowering sites can be increased by 30%.
By practicing these maintenance secrets, you can reap miracles even in a-5℃ environment. Remember to take precautions before the cold wave comes, and pay attention to ventilation at noon when using double-layered insulation sheds. Get ready now to make your bougainvillea the most dazzling scenery in winter!