What's wrong with my bougainvillea recently? Its leaves are falling like snow, which really breaks my heart. Tell me, why does the bougainvillea drop leaves? Don't worry, let me explain it to you in detail.
1. Leaf drop during flowering period, a normal phenomenon
Do you know, it's actually very normal for bougainvilleas to drop leaves during their flowering period. Just like people, they change with the seasons, and the leaves are replaced with new ones. At this time, as long as you give it some fertilizer, it will grow new leaves again and continue to bloom vigorously.
2. Insufficient light, the leaves protest
Bougainvillea is a sun-loving plant; it loves to bask in the sun. If you place it in a dark place, it will protest, and its leaves will fall off one by one. So, if your bougainvillea's leaves start to fall, move it to a sunny place quickly, let it get some sun, and when it's in a good mood, the leaves will naturally stop falling.
3. Improper watering and fertilizing, root damage
Water and fertilizer are the two main elements for plant growth, and bougainvillea is no exception. Overwatering or improper fertilization can lead to root damage, which in turn affects the leaves. Therefore, watering should be moderate, and fertilization should be done with proper methods to ensure the healthy growth of the bougainvillea.
4. Damaged roots, the leaves protestWhen repotting or turning over the soil for your bougainvillea, if you damage its main roots, it will protest, and its leaves will fall off one by one. At this time, you need to provide it with a quiet environment for it to recover slowly. Once the roots have healed, it will grow new leaves again.
5. Pests and diseases, the leaves are injuredBougainvilleas can also get sick, for example, with leaf spot disease or brown spot disease. These pests and diseases will cause spots on the leaves, eventually leading to leaf drop. At this time, you need to prune the diseased leaves in time and spray some chemicals to prevent and control pests and diseases.
6. Environmental adaptation, the leaves adaptA newly purchased bougainvillea may have an accelerated metabolism due to the enclosed and dark environment during transportation, causing it to drop leaves to reduce nutrient consumption and adapt to the new environment faster. At this time, you need to prune its weak branches, cut back the long ones, and place it in a bright, ventilated spot, watering it thoroughly as needed to help it recover.
7. Leaf drop caused by droughtIf the bougainvillea becomes drought-stricken because you forgot to water it, the leaves will wilt and fall off. At this time, you need to prune some branches to reduce nutrient consumption, use a rooting solution and fungicide to water thoroughly, use a spray bottle to keep the plant moist, and cover it with a plastic bag to increase humidity. Ventilate it daily to promote recovery.
8. Soil and ventilation problemsUsing impermeable soil and poor environmental ventilation can lead to root diseases and leaf drop. At this time, you need to place the plant in a well-ventilated, sunny location, prune the branches, keep the soil moderately moist, and if necessary, use a fan to speed up the evaporation of water from the soil surface to avoid suffocating the roots.
9. Leaf drop caused by low temperaturesBougainvillea is native to the south and is sensitive to low temperatures. If the temperature is too low in winter, especially below 5 degrees, it may cause leaf drop. At this time, you need to place the plant in a sunny spot, prune it as needed, keep the potting soil moderately moist, and supplement with fertilizer in the spring when the temperature rises to promote flower bud growth.
After reading this, do you have a better understanding of why bougainvilleas drop leaves? In fact, as long as we take good care of them with heart, bougainvilleas will grow strong and bring us beautiful scenery. So, don't worry about the bougainvillea dropping leaves anymore. Let's work together to make the bougainvillea shine even more brightly!