Bougainvillea - home care
Bougainvillea is an ornamental evergreen shrub. The plant has a very spectacular appearance due to the unusual shape and color of the leaves. Despite the large number of varieties (about 15), only some of them are suitable for growing at home.
Bougainvillea Naked and Bougainvillea Wonderful proved to be the best of all. When creating and maintaining optimal conditions for development, the plant will delight with bright leaves and flowering, which lasts from May to November.
Home care for bougainvillea includes:
- compliance with the temperature regime;
- selection of optimal lighting;
- correct watering and regulation of air humidity;
- regular pruning of the bush;
- timely feeding.
Room temperature
Bougainvillea rather thermophilic plant, for normal development it needs to maintain a temperature of at least 22 degrees Celsius. However, in order for the plant to go away during the dormant period, it needs a little help. To do this, the temperature is lowered to 7 degrees Celsius. Such conditions are created for the shrub to shed its leaves. And with the arrival of spring, it will grow a new, variegated-green lush mass and will bloom profusely with small white flowers.
When preparing for a dormant period, it is worth considering that at an air temperature of less than 4 degrees Celsius, bougainvillea will die.
Lighting
The plant grows well and retains a bright color in a well-lit place where direct sunlight does not fall. It is better to put the pot on the western windows, and in the summer it is taken out into the open air in partial shade.
Proper watering and air humidity
For watering bougainvillea use settled water at room temperature. During the period of active growth of deciduous mass, as well as during flowering, the plant needs frequent watering. On hot summer days, the flowerpot is regularly sprayed so that water does not get on the bracts.
With the onset of winter, watering should be done less often, only maintaining soil moisture and preventing it from completely drying out (once every two weeks).
Pruning a bush
Pruning bougainvillea will give the bush the desired shape, rejuvenate the plant and stimulate flowering. It is advisable to do it in the middle of winter, while the plant is just beginning to emerge from the dormant period. Older branches (thicker and lignified) are pruned completely so that they do not take away the strength necessary for the growth of young shoots. One leaf is left on the second-year branches, and the rest is also cut off. Long shoots are cut in half.
When cutting the main shoots, one bud should be left.
Cuttings obtained during pruning are used to propagate bougainvillea. They are planted immediately in the ground, without prior rooting in water.
Conducting dressings
Starting in early spring, until the onset of the dormant period, bougainvillea is periodically fed with phosphorus fertilizers. Organic matter and complex mineral fertilizers are applied once every 10 days.