How does Bougainvillea safely survive the winter?
Compared to the common introductions of green plants and flowers on how Bougainvillea survives the winter for most people, the following is a detailed introduction.
Mentioning Bougainvillea often makes many gardening enthusiasts involuntarily think of the vast Bougainvillea walls in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions. It can be said that these regions are heavens for Bougainvillea. Not only can they grow in pots, but they thrive even more when planted in the ground, covering walls and creating a sea of flowers wherever they go.
Many gardening enthusiasts are attracted to the burst of blooming Bougainvillea and can't help but grow a couple at home. However, now the question arises: in winter, when Bougainvillea experiences a lot of leaf and flower drop, what should be done to ensure its safe overwintering?
Different overwintering methods for Bougainvillea in different regions 1. Southern warm regions
Bougainvillea is a plant that loves warmth and fears the cold. In the southern warm regions, the temperature in winter is also above 10 degrees, which poses no problem for Bougainvillea. Whether it's planted in the ground or in pots, it can safely overwinter outdoors, which is why we see so many blooming Bougainvillea walls in the south.
2. Central regions like Jiangsu and Zhejiang
The winters in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas and the central regions are relatively colder compared to the south but warmer compared to the north. However, the temperature often drops below zero in winter, and what's more deadly is the abrupt temperature changes, which often occur in a cliff-like manner. The minimum temperature might be above 10 degrees one day and drop to below zero the next. Such sudden drops in temperature are very fatal to Bougainvillea.
Therefore, friends in the central regions need to pay extra attention to weather changes in winter. On sunny days with temperatures above 5 degrees, Bougainvillea can be moved outside to bathe in the sun during the day. At night, when the temperature is above 5 degrees, it can be placed under the eaves outdoors. When the temperature drops below 5 degrees at night, it should be moved indoors.
For Bougainvillea planted in the ground, when the temperature drops below 5 degrees at night, it should be wrapped with straw and covered with a plastic bag for insulation. Planting Bougainvillea in the ground in the central regions carries some risks, and it may freeze during cold winters! It's better to transplant it into a pot early and overwinter it indoors for safety.
In very cold weather, even indoor Bougainvillea needs to be covered with a bag at night for insulation.
In winter, watering of Bougainvillea should be reduced, keeping the potting soil slightly dry. Watering should be done on sunny afternoons and should be thorough, not just on the surface.
3. Cold northern regions
In the cold northern regions, Bougainvillea must be grown in pots and brought indoors for overwintering. Relatively speaking, growing Bougainvillea in winter in the north is not stressful because indoor heating keeps the temperature comfortable, and there is no need to worry about frost damage.
However, it's not enough to just place it in a heated room. The air in a heated room is quite dry, which is not conducive to plant growth. It is important to increase humidity by frequently misting the Bougainvillea leaves and the surrounding air. After watering, it is especially important to enhance air circulation to prevent root rot.
Additionally, do not place the Bougainvillea pot directly on a heating mat as it can easily burn the roots. The pot should be elevated a bit.
The above is a complete introduction to how Bougainvillea safely survives the winter. I hope it can be of help to you. Don't forget to check out more gardening tips and knowledge!