Introduction:
Hello, greetings friends. Today, we will explore the Bougainvillea plant, how to care for it, and how to achieve lush growth in your plants.
Bougainvillea is native to America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. It has circulated worldwide and many new hybrids have been developed, such as Texas, Barbara Kal, and Golden Rush. India also boasts some beautiful hybrids like Rav Shubhra among others.
First, let's clarify that what you see as flowers are actually bracts. The real flowers are small and white, but we prefer the vibrant colors of the bracts as they add a beautiful touch to our gardens.
Bougainvillea Planting:
When it comes to planting Bougainvillea, you need to decide where to place it. It can be planted in the ground, along a wall, on a trellis, in a pot, or even as a bonsai. Ensure it gets full sunlight for at least 5 to 6 hours a day; the more sunlight, the better.
- Bougainvillea requires full sun to produce vibrant flowers. If grown in the shade, you will see fewer flowers and more green leaves. A very hardy plant, Bougainvillea can thrive even in harsh conditions with minimal care, provided it gets enough sunlight.
- The flowering schedule starts around mid-February. If your plant has been in a shaded spot during winter months, move it to direct sunlight from February 1st. If kept in the shade, it will produce green leaves instead of flowers. For optimal flowering, ensure that Bougainvillea gets full sun from February onward. It will bloom well through March, April, and June.
- From the first week of July, when the rainy season starts, Bougainvillea enters a resting phase and will not flower. During July, August, and September, it rests and grows long branches that need to be pruned. After the rainy season ends in September, resume fertilizing. You can expect a second round of blooming in October, November, and December. After this, from mid-December to mid-January, when it’s very cold, the plant will go into dormancy again.
Care Tips for Bougainvillea:
For care tips, sunlight is crucial. Regular pruning is essential, especially if you want a bushy appearance. When you bring a new plant from the nursery, repot it and let it settle for a month before starting regular pruning. The more you prune, the bushier the plant will become.
Regarding soil, Bougainvillea does not like waterlogging. It needs well-draining soil. A good mix consists of 50% garden soil, 20% coarse sand, and 30% vermicompost. Add a handful of neem cake and bone meal or rock phosphate if you prefer. This mixture should be well-mixed and used for planting.
When choosing a pot, clay pots are ideal as they allow water to evaporate quickly. Plastic or ceramic pots are also fine if they have good drainage. For pot size, a small plant should go in an 8 to 10-inch pot, while a larger plant might need a 12 or 16-inch pot. You don’t need to repot every year; typically, every 2 to 3 years is sufficient, or when you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes.
Repotting is best done either in February or during the rainy season, between July and September. Avoid repotting during other times to reduce stress on the plant.
Watering should be done on alternate days, but adjust based on the weather. In summer, water daily; in winter, you can water less frequently. Check the soil with your finger; if it’s dry up to 2 inches deep, it’s time to water. Ensure deep watering so that it reaches the roots and drains out of the bottom. Overwatering can wash away nutrients, so balance is key.
Bougainvillea thrives under stress. If you maintain a balance between watering and allowing the soil to dry out, your plant will bloom more vigorously.
Lastly, fertilize during the growing period from January to March, and then again from September to November. Use fertilizers low in nitrogen but high in potassium to promote more flowers rather than foliage. Regular weeding is also important for root health and oxygen.
I hope these tips help you care for your Bougainvillea and achieve beautiful blooms.
