Botanical Title: Bougainvillea glabra
You will discover bougainvillea plant climbing arbors, scrambling alongside stone partitions, and spilling over terra cotta pots in Mexico, Greece and Southern California…anyplace heat and sunny will make these flowering shrubs flourish.
If you happen to do not occur to dwell in a scorching local weather, a sunny window, greenhouse or sunroom will do.
Sorts of Bougainvilleas
Of the tons of of bougainvillea varieties, Bougainvillea glabra is the best to develop indoors and has lengthy been a well-liked home plant.
Actually, it thrives in a pot or hanging basket so long as you possibly can meet its want for daylight. You will give it much more blooming energy for those who can transfer your container open air for the summer time. That is proper — you will get probably the most flowers for those who let these tropical beauties bask in your sunlit porch or patio.
Large clusters of brightly coloured bracts in pink, crimson, orange or purple cowl the plant summer time by way of fall. The papery bracts encompass 3 small, creamy white flowers. Bracts are long-lasting, however the precise white flowers nestled within the bracts are short-lived.
You should purchase bougainvillea crops early within the rising season. Even younger bougies are wanting to bloom, so you will not wait lengthy for these charming bracts to cowl your plant.
You’ve plenty of stunning bougainvillea varieties to select from, together with dwarf, thornless, and a few thrilling new cultivars with variegated foliage.
- Pink ‘Alexandra’ is a prolific bloomer
- ‘Magnifica’ has vivid purple bracts
- ‘Sanderiana’ is dazzling magenta
- ‘Raspberry Ice’ is ravishing crimson
- ‘Harrissii’ has variegated gray-green foliage splashed with creamy white
Prune or Prepare Bougainvillea
These lengthy, arching branches are lined with thorns, so watch out when dealing with them. They’ll trigger pores and skin irritation, too. It is a good suggestion to put on thick gloves when pruning or repotting this plant.
Pruning tip: Prune again harshly in fall, after flowers fade. Pruning bougainvillea often will maintain the plant small and stop it from changing into leggy.
If allowed to develop, bougainvillea vines will be skilled round a hoop or over a trellis inserted within the pot. Tie it to the assist with florist wire, if it’s essential. Nevertheless, this vigorous climber does not want a lot coaching to twine round any sort of assist.
When to Repot Bougainvillea (and Methods to Do it)
Repot in spring, while you see new progress.
Bougainvillea blooms greatest when barely pot-bound, so transfer it to a pot 1 dimension bigger solely when crucial.
Use a pot with drainage holes to forestall root rot. Wish to use an ornamental pot with out drainage holes? Use it as a cachepot. Simply slip the plain pot into the cachepot. It is a good suggestion to place a layer of small stones within the backside of the cachepot to maintain the inside pot above the drainage water.
Whereas repotting, take care to not expose the roots to air for a very long time as a result of they may dry out; this Brazilian magnificence likes its roots to remain moist always.
Prepared to start? Observe these steps for repotting your houseplant.
Bougainvillea Plant Issues, Options and Solutions
No flowers? Intense direct daylight is required for bougainvillea crops to bloom. See “Mild” beneath.
Yellow leaves are a symptom of overwatering. Bougainvillea crops want regular moisture at their roots, however are susceptible to root rot if left in soggy soil. See “Water” beneath.
Look ahead to bugs. Bougies appear to shrug off pests, however could also be invaded by aphids (that present up on new progress) or spider mites (they like dry circumstances). If you happen to see any indicators of pests, isolate your plant and deal with any infestation instantly.
Is bougainvillea toxic? The sap of this plant is mildly poisonous and may trigger pores and skin irritation. Its spiny stems are extra of an issue; a prick from a thorn could trigger a pores and skin rash. Put on thorn-proof gloves whereas pruning or repotting your plant to forestall scratches.
Bougainvillea Plant Care Suggestions
Origin: Brazil
Top: As much as 10 ft (3 m) if not pruned again. Could be grown as a bonsai — bougainvillea bonsai tree will be stored small with frequent pruning.
Mild: Full solar. Give it not less than 4 hours of direct solar every day. Bougies will not bloom with out sufficient mild.
Water: Water totally, then enable the highest 2 inches (5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Plant bougainvillea in a pot with drainage holes. Empty drainage tray to forestall soggy soil, which might result in root rot. Overwatering will trigger leaves to show yellow and fall off. Preserve barely drier in winter.
Humidity: This South American native likes excessive humidity in the course of the rising season, spring by way of fall. Goal for at least 50% relative humidity across the plant. Indoor air can grow to be extraordinarily dry with out our noticing it. I extremely advocate utilizing a humidity monitor close to your tropical plant, reasonably than guess. If the air is dry, probably the most environment friendly solution to increase humidity is to make use of a cool-mist room humidifier.
Temperature: Common to heat temperatures 60-80°F/16-27°C. Bougainvillea crops are frost-tender. Except you reside in a local weather that is heat year-round, convey your plant again inside when the temperature dips beneath 60°F at evening. It does not just like the chilly in any respect.
Soil: Good-quality, all-purpose potting combine.
Fertilizer: Feed each 2 weeks spring by way of fall. I extremely advocate utilizing fertilizer specifically made for bougainvillea.
Propagation: Spring is one of the best time to propagate stem cuttings as a result of bougainvillea plant is starting its most vigorous time of progress. Take 4 in (10 cm) stem tip cuttings, dip the minimize finish in rooting hormone powder, then insert it in moist potting combine. Use a seedling warmth mat to take care of an excellent 70°F/21°C for greatest outcomes. Cuttings ought to root in about 2 months.