Dear fellow gardeners, is your bougainvillea at home growing so vigorously that it's about to break its pot? Don't worry, today I'm going to teach you how to repot your bougainvillea so it can continue to grow strong and beautiful!
Preparing for Repotting
Choosing the Soil
Bougainvillea likes fertile, loose soil, so we need to prepare some mixed soil. You can use materials like old soil, garden soil, sandy soil, cinder, sawdust, and river mud, mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio. You can also add some diluted potassium permanganate or soil that has been sterilized by sun exposure to ensure the soil is clean and fertile.
Root Cleaning
Before repotting, we need to carefully clean the roots of the bougainvillea. Do not damage the main roots, trim off any excess or rotten roots. Remember, do not remove all the old soil from the roots. Leave some to blend with the new soil, which will help the bougainvillea adapt to its new environment.
Potting PreparationBefore repotting, prepare a new flower pot first. Lay a layer of broken tiles at the bottom of the new pot as a drainage layer, then spread the newly prepared soil mix on top. You can add some sheep manure balls or cake fertilizer. This way, the new pot is ready.
Repotting StepsRemoving from the Old PotTake the bougainvillea out of the old pot, be gentle to avoid damaging the roots. If the roots are very dense, you can gently shake the pot to loosen the soil before removing it.
Placing in the New PotPlace the bougainvillea in the new pot, making sure the roots are not buried too deep to avoid suffocation. Add soil while planting, holding the plant with your left hand and adding soil with a trowel in your right hand. After filling the new soil, gently pat it down to ensure close contact between the soil and the roots.
WateringAfter repotting, do not water immediately. Wait for 12-24 hours before watering, and make sure to water thoroughly. Normally, keep the soil moist, but be careful not to cause waterlogging, as this will lead to root rot and make it difficult for the plant to survive.
Post-Repotting CareLightBougainvillea loves sunlight, so after repotting, ensure it gets plenty of light. If there is insufficient light, you can adjust its position to allow it to receive more sunlight.
WateringNormally, follow the principle of "don't water until the soil is dry, and then water thoroughly." Pay attention to controlling the amount of water before flowering. Start controlling watering for the bougainvillea from September, and only water when the potting soil is dry and the branches and leaves are soft and drooping.
Loosening the SoilDue to long-term watering, fertilizing, and rain washing, the soil in the pot can easily become compacted. Therefore, we need to loosen the soil regularly and remove weeds from it to facilitate the growth of the bougainvillea.
Common Problems After RepottingLeaves WiltingIf the leaves of your bougainvillea wilt after repotting, it could be caused by root damage, insufficient light, or low temperatures. You can move the bougainvillea to a semi-shady, ventilated place to help it recover, or increase the light exposure appropriately.
OverwateringIf you water too much, causing water to accumulate in the potting soil, the roots of the bougainvillea cannot breathe, and the leaves will naturally wilt. At this point, you need to drain the excess water from the pot and place the bougainvillea in a cool, ventilated place to help it recover.
Over-fertilizingIf you over-fertilize, it may cause the roots of the bougainvillea to burn and rot, leading to wilting leaves. In this case, you should water to dilute the excess fertilizer. If the situation is very serious, you should replace the soil.
Dear fellow gardeners, once you've mastered these repotting techniques, your bougainvillea is sure to grow even more beautifully! Come and give it a try!