How to make bougainvillea bloom continuously
A detailed introduction about the experiences related to the woody flower bougainvillea, on how to make potted bougainvillea bloom continuously. It's very good knowledge of small experiences, recommended for collection!
Bougainvillea, belonging to theNyctaginaceae family, is an evergreen climbing shrub with branched stems, thorny branches, and arching drooping branches. The leaves are alternate, ovate, entire, densely pubescent. The flowers are small, usually in clusters of 3 among 3 larger bracts, with bracts in bright red, purple, or white, resembling both flowers and leaves, hence also known as leaf flowers, primarily ornamental flowers admired for their beautiful bracts.
Bougainvillea is native to Brazil, preferring warm, humid, and well-lit environments, growing vigorously, tolerant to pruning, strong germination, and long flowering period. In the south of China, it is commonly used as a material for greenery such as trellises and arches; in the north of the Yangtze River, it is an important potted plant and landscape material. How to care for potted bougainvillea to ensure lush leaves and continuous flowering throughout the year? The following is a summary based on years of cultivation experience:
One, watering should be scientific
Watering should be scientific, combining watering, controlled watering, and heavy watering. After the Qingming Festival, bougainvillea is cultivated outdoors after leaving the greenhouse. During the vegetative growth period, water once a day to ensure normal growth of branches and leaves. From May to June, depending on different varieties, appropriate intermittent controlled watering is performed to promote flowering, with the degree of controlled watering being when the branches droop and the leaves slightly wilt. At this time, spray water on the leaves 1 to 2 times a day, and after 2 to 3 days, water thoroughly. Repeat this 3 to 4 times to stop the top growth of the plant, concentrate nutrients, and promote bud differentiation. When the top of the branches turns red, water thoroughly; when new shoots have flower buds, water heavily twice a day, morning and evening, and spray water 1 to 2 times until flowering. After flowering, reduce the frequency of watering appropriately. As continuous flowering consumes too many nutrients in the plant, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off, excessive watering will make the soil too wet and cause root rot. In autumn and winter, when entering the greenhouse, control water for a month to facilitate bud differentiation and flowering during the Spring Festival. After that, water when the soil is dry and slightly moist.
Two, fertilization should be appropriate
Bougainvillea consumes a lot of nutrients due to its abundant flowering and long flowering period, plus the limited pot soil, so it is necessary to supplement fertilizer regularly. When repotting in spring, apply enough base fertilizer, with 10 to 20 grams of decomposed cake fertilizer or chicken manure soil per pot. After leaving the greenhouse, apply fast-acting nitrogenous fertilizer 1 to 2 times. During the vigorous growth period, apply decomposed cake fertilizer water every 7 days to accelerate bud differentiation. When flower buds appear in the leaf axils, apply more fertilizer, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, avoiding nitrogen fertilizers to prevent the plant from growing excessively and affecting flowering. From August to October, apply more fertilizer and water, using稀肥 (diluted fertilizer) water or cake fertilizer water to water the flowers, and add several applications of phosphorus fertilizers.
Three, strong light, long day length, and high temperature are required
Bougainvillea loves light, requiring ample light during the growing period to promote more flowering. Insufficient light will cause new branches to grow weak and leaves to become dull in color, with less and less vibrant flowers. Bougainvillea can bloom continuously at temperatures above 20°C and still grow normally at temperatures above 35°C. The overwintering temperature should not be lower than 7°C.
In the northern regions, no shading is required in summer. With 10 to 12 hours of sunlight per day, strong light, long day length, and good ventilation, the flowering period can reach 180 to 200 days. Among them, the purple bougainvillea can bloom until the Spring Festival, after leaving the greenhouse during Qingming and can bloom again during Labor Day.
Four, pruning should be reasonable
Bougainvillea is strong and robust, highly tolerant to pruning. Reasonable pruning and shaping can also promote more branches and flowers. Potted bougainvillea is generally pruned twice a year, the first time in March to April before germination, combined with repotting, and the second time in late autumn when the bougainvillea enters the greenhouse.
When pruning, follow three principles: short, heavy, and sparse. That is, cut horizontal branches short to promote more flowering mother branches at the base, ensuring vigorous flowering; cut new vigorous branches heavily to prevent them from competing for nutrients and water, consuming nutrients; remove dense, weak, and terminal branches. Each pruning should be moderate, as excessive pruning will weaken the bougainvillea, delay flowering, reduce the number of flowers, prolong the growing period, and lower the ornamental value.
Five, timely pest and disease control
Bougainvillea has fewer pests and diseases, with occasional scale insects and aphids in winter and spring, causing leaf curling and affecting photosynthesis. These can be controlled by spraying 1500 to 2000 times of omethoate. Leaf spot disease can be treated with a 600-fold spray of 65% wettable powder of zinc omethoate.
Six, frequent loosening of the soil
Due to the limited soil in potted bougainvillea and frequent watering, the soil can easily become compacted and hardened, affecting root development and plant growth. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently loosen the soil during the growing period and remove weeds while loosening to prevent them from competing with bougainvillea for water and nutrients.
As long as there is sufficient light, temperature, water, and fertilizer, combined with reasonable pruning, timely pest and disease control, frequent loosening of the soil, and timely promotion of flowering cultivation, potted bougainvillea can grow vigorously and bloom continuously throughout the year.
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