Management During the Blooming Period of Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea, a common ornamental flower in southern courtyards, is deeply loved for its colorful and brilliant blooms. However, many flower enthusiasts find that their plants often exhibit faded colors during the full bloom period. This is often closely related to the details of maintenance. Mastering the three core elements of management during the blooming period can not only extend the viewing period but also keep the flowers vibrant and true to their original color.
Three Key Elements of Blooming Period Management
Accurate Water Control to Maintain Vigor
During the bud formation stage, it is necessary to establish a cyclic dry-wet cycle, and water thoroughly when the top 3cm of soil is dry. Using the pot immersion method to replenish water can prevent the rinsing of flower buds, and combining it with pine needle mulching can effectively maintain humidity. It is particularly important to cover the pots during consecutive cloudy and rainy days to prevent waterlogging, which can cause flower drop.
Scientific Fertilization to Extend the Blooming Period
During the blooming period, supplement phosphorus and potassium elements every 10 days, and using fermented fruit skin water (banana peel + orange peel) diluted at a ratio of 1:50 shows significant results. Spray phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on the leaves at the early stage of bud formation, avoiding the high-temperature period at noon. Avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, as it will stimulate the plant to grow excessively, consuming nutrients.
Timely Pruning to Optimize Shape
During the blooming period, continuously remove inner branches and crossing branches, retaining strong outward-growing flowering branches. After each flower fades, remove the residual flowers promptly, making an oblique cut above the second pair of leaves on the flower stalk, combined with pot rotation to ensure even light exposure from all directions.
Analysis of Causes for Faded Flower Color
Water Fluctuations Affect Color Display
Continuous drought can activate the plant's self-protection mechanism, causing the flowers to wither prematurely to survive. It is recommended to install a soil moisture meter, maintaining the substrate moisture content between 40-60%, and spray water around the ground in the morning and evening during high temperatures to increase humidity.
Light Intensity Determines Brightness
Purple varieties require full sunlight, with at least 6 hours of direct light daily. Red varieties can tolerate half-daylight but should avoid west-facing sunburn. When maintaining on a north-facing balcony, using a grow light, 50cm away from the plant, can provide additional light for 4 hours daily.
Malnutrition Leads to Color Fading
Long-term single fertilization can cause a deficiency in trace elements, which manifests as blurred color layers in the flowers. Burying bone meal in spring and autumn to supplement calcium and regularly watering with iron sulfate to maintain soil acidity can give red varieties a velvet texture.
By establishing a regular maintenance rhythm and adjusting environmental factors, not only can the issue of faded flower color be resolved, but the ornamental potential of bougainvillea can also be fully activated. It is recommended to keep a maintenance log recording watering frequency, fertilization cycles, and other data to gradually find the best growth plan for the plant.