What's wrong with the bougainvillea at home recently? There are so many bugs on the leaves, it's heartbreaking to look at! Don't worry, let me give you some tips to bring your bougainvillea back to life!
War on Bugs: First, Get to Know the Enemy
Bougainvillea getting bugs is no small matter. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, which are the archenemies of bougainvillea. These little critters love to suck the sap from the plant, turning the leaves yellow and the flower buds wrinkled, which is truly heartbreaking to see.
Eliminating Bugs: My Clever Tips
1. Manual pest removal: This is the most primitive and direct method. Gently wipe the bugs off the leaves with a wet cloth or tissue, catching them one by one, just like playing hide-and-seek. However, this trick is not very effective against eggs.
2. Chili and garlic water: Chop 5-8 chili peppers, add water, and cook them in a rice cooker, just like you would cook rice, for the usual amount of time. After cooking, filter out the chili residue, and the remaining water can be used to spray the leaves. Garlic can be prepared the same way: chop it and soak it in water for 24 hours at a 1:30 ratio. Filter out the solids, and the remaining garlic water can also be used for spraying.
3. Insecticides: If there are simply too many bugs, it's time to use some chemical weapons. There are many insecticides on the market specifically for bougainvillea. Spray them according to the instructions on the package, and it usually takes 2-3 applications to see results.
Prevention First: Stay Away from Pests
1. Ample sunlight: Bougainvillea loves the sun, so make sure it gets plenty of sunlight. With sufficient light, pests are less likely to breed.
2. Proper watering: Bougainvillea likes a humid environment but is not tolerant of waterlogging. Water it moderately, keeping the soil slightly moist.
3. Suitable temperature: Bougainvillea prefers a warm environment and is not cold-hardy. Pay attention to keeping it warm in the winter, ideally keeping the temperature around 15°C.
4. Regular pruning: Prune off diseased and weak branches and leaves in a timely manner to increase ventilation and light, allowing the bougainvillea to grow healthier.
5. Soil sterilization: Before planting bougainvillea, sterilize the soil to kill any insect eggs and pathogens in it.
Bougainvillea getting bugs is actually not that scary. As long as we master the correct prevention and treatment methods, we can bring them back to life. Remember, focus on prevention to stay away from pests. Let your bougainvillea grow strong and become a beautiful sight in your home!