How to Overwinter Potted Bougainvillea in the North
Core Content Introduction: Learn how to overwinter potted bougainvillea in the North and detailed methods for caring for bougainvillea during the winter, keep reading!
Bougainvillea, also known as paper flower, is a climbing shrub that is evergreen in the south. It thrives in full sun and warm, humid climates, is not cold-tolerant, and can only bloom above 15°C. It can safely overwinter at temperatures above 3°C. Therefore, it is not suitable for outdoor planting in the north. However, if kept indoors with proper temperatures, it can grow well in the north.
Method for Overwintering Potted Bougainvillea
In the north, bougainvillea should be moved indoors in November. Before bringing it inside, it needs to be pruned, leaving the main branches and some flowering branches while cutting off the unnecessary and wild growth. This helps reduce the plant's nutrient consumption and allows it to store more nutrients for winter. When moving it indoors, water it once and add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer to the soil, as the plant will require fertilizing to stop and water to be controlled during winter.
Tips for Watering Bougainvillea in Daily Care
Bougainvillea requires less water than other flowers. During the growing season, the soil should be kept slightly moist but not dry or waterlogged. The general principle for watering is "water when dry, water thoroughly, and avoid积水 (standing water)."
Specifically, it is important to control watering before bougainvillea blooms to ensure a neat and abundant display of flowers. This means reducing watering from September, only watering when the soil is completely dry and the plant shows signs of wilt. This controlled watering should continue until before the blooming period in October, after which normal watering can resume. No fertilizing should be done during this period to avoid root burn.
Retaining Water and Fertilizer to Extend Blooming Period
To ensure abundant blooming of bougainvillea, it is necessary to provide sufficient nutrients without over-fertilizing. Fertilizing should be planned according to the growing season. From April to July, when the plant is vigorous, fertilize every 10 days using a 10% to 20% solution of decomposed soybean or vegetable cake or human waste. Starting in August, add phosphorus fertilizer to encourage bud formation, fertilizing every 10 days with a 20% solution of decomposed chicken, duck, pigeon droppings, and fish waste. Around National Day, when bougainvillea begins to bloom, apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer every 15 days with a concentration of 30% to 40%. After each blooming, apply a top dressing to ensure continuous nutrient supply for the bougainvillea, promoting fresh red bracts and extending the blooming period.
The above content introduces how to overwinter potted bougainvillea in the north and detailed methods for caring for bougainvillea during the winter. I hope it is helpful to you!