La bougainvillea It is a plant that can be grown in pots, but how should it be cared for?
Let's see in this complete guide what are the needs of the plant native to South America, let's learn when to water it, where to place it, how to transplant it and how to prune it correctly.
In tropical climates it is evergreen, but in regions like the Mediterranean it sheds its leaves mainly during the winter. The bougainvillea is a resistant plant and can easily grow in a pot on our balcony.
If we follow a few basic steps, they will probably survive for several years (at least ten), blooming and filling our balcony with bright colors.
Things to pay close attention to:
The species of bougainvillea will define the place where we have to place it
When we visit a store or nursery to buy our bougainvillea plant, we will probably have to choose between several species. There are dwarf and adult varieties.
If we are interested in having a plant on our balcony that does not exceed a meter and a half in height, we will opt for a dwarf variety. However, most people select varieties that can reach up to ten meters in height. Bougainvillea is a strongly climbing plant. Its spines allow the plant to reach great heights, usually taking advantage of another tree or shrub (often a conifer - Leyland).
Others prefer to pot a bougainvillea on the balcony, deliberately letting it "fall" to the plant below, creating a cascade of colours. The most daring place two pots of bougainvillea on either side of the main entrance or patio door, forming a colorful arch.
Where should we really place the bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea in a pot it must be placed in the right place to prevent it from having any problems. The plant needs heat and humidity, so we recommend placing it in a well lit and sunny area. In fact, it will not flower if it is placed in an area that is too shaded.
How is a plant that suffers a lot from the cold, it is necessary to protect it from winter frosts. If you notice that the bougainvillea loses its leaves in winter, do not worry because it is normal. The essential thing is, in fact, to prevent it from losing its branches and from suffering frost on the roots. During the winter months it is advisable to cover it and take the vase or pot to a sheltered place. The best thing to do in winter would take her inside.
Transplant
It goes without saying that if we choose a life-size bougainvillea, we will have to transplant it into a pot large enough from the beginning and place it in a south-facing location. In any case, the bougainvillea requires direct exposure to sunlight during at least 6 hours a day. Otherwise, the flowers will be of poor quality.
After acquiring our bougainvillea, the first thing we must do is transplant it into a larger pot, ideally terracotta. Unlike plastic, this porous material helps reduce excess soil moisture that harms our plants. Regardless of the material, we must open holes in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to drain quickly. To reduce the risk of root rot.
El transplant of the plant should be done in spring, preferably immediately after the end of winter. The transplant operation is performed every year to allow the bougainvillea to bloom. To do it correctly, the following procedure must be followed:
- Dab the soil of the plant.
- extract the plant careful not to break the roots.
- remove the earth that can be easily detached, also with care.
- Introduce the ball of soil and roots in a new pot along with the plant.
- Fill the empty spaces in the new pot with fresh potting soil.
If the bougainvillea is large, we only recommend refreshing the soil, not transplanting it. To do this you must remove the first layers of soil and add fresh new soil.
What substrate is best for bougainvillea?
The ideal soil for bougainvilleas is a mix of potting soil and stones. It could be said that it is the best soil for proper drainage. It is also good to add a sand substrate. Some say that peat is doing well to maintain humidity, but the truth is that we better use another type of land.
We must avoid using soil rich in peat, since peat retains excess moisture. Instead, we choose a substrate (soil) with good drainage characteristics and mix it with river sand and perlite.
Bougainvillea Water Requirements – Bougainvillea Watering
Root rot is the most common cause of bougainvillea death. We must be careful and avoid excessive watering, especially when the plants are growing in pots. Overwatering will temporarily promote shoot and leaf production at the expense of flowering, however, and will likely lead to root rot and plant death.
In general, bougainvillea is quite drought tolerant, even during high summer temperatures. This plant is one of the ornamental plants that does not need to be watered every day. They should be watered when we see (and feel with our hand) that the soil in the pot is dry. That is, in this case it is better to sin less than more.
Fertilization and nutritional requirements of the Bougainvillea
There are different opinions regarding the fertilization of bougainvillea. It is possible for a plant grown in a garden to thrive and produce thousands of flowers without fertilizer or compost. However, this phenomenon is the result of several specific conditions.
The general rule is that the average bougainvillea plant need help to create new flowers and greenery. We can add a water soluble fertilizer (7-7-7) at least three times during the growing season (spring and summer). The exact dose of each fertilizer is indicated by the manufacturer on the product label. In most cases we can add three capfuls to a 3-liter watering can and water at least two pots with this solution.
We suggest fertilizing every two or three weeks. For best results it is necessary to use a organic fertilizer for flowering plants that is rich in phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. Alternatively, you can also use a liquid fertilizer to dilute in water used for irrigation.
bougainvillea pruning
With pruning we can shape our bougainvillea according to how we like to have it. For example, we can give a precise direction and structure-morphology to the plant. Also, by removing old, dry and diseased branches, the bougainvillea will produce new shoots and consequently vigorous flowers. Normally, when the bougainvillea grows in pots on our balcony, the plants climb up the frame of the pergola or other vertical supports and need minimal pruning in early spring to promote growth.
La pruning of the potted bougainvillea should be done in in February. However, where the climate is very cold, the operation must be carried out towards the end of the autumn. Let's remember that in any case it is necessary to prune after each flowering to ensure that the plain can be renewed.
Throughout the spring and summer, we can remove all dried flowers and buds. Of course, before carrying out a rigorous pruning it is necessary to wait for the plant to enter a semi-dormant state in autumn.
Flower thinning is also an essential technique. The removal of small, immature or defective flowers forces the plant to transfer the available nutrients to fewer but higher quality flowers.
To prune correctly, the procedure is as follows:
- Remove all dead branches.
- trim the ends of the branches so that the bougainvillea has a regular appearance.
- Cut the weakest and most irregular branches about a third of its length.
- thin the canopy of the plant.
Sharp garden shears should be used to prune the potted plant. This aspect is fundamental since a bad sharpening would cause damage to the branches.
What happens in winter?
When the first days with colder temperatures begin to be noticed, we can place the pot either in a semi-outdoor protected area or indoors. In the latter case, we should never place our bougainvillea near a heat source (for example, a radiator).
Change the pot approximately every three years
We started with a relatively small boat (but bigger than the one we bought it in). For example, the pot we bought at the nursery was 9 liters and we transplanted it into a 20 liter pot. We need to gradually transplant the bougainvillea into larger pots, e.g. from a 20 liter pot (usually 30cm deep) to a 30 liter pot (usually 38-40cm deep) after three years.
When transplanting to a larger pot, we must always be careful not to damage the roots, as the plant will take a long time to recover from this blow.
Bougainvillea Pests and Diseases
Bougainvillea is generally a fairly hardy plant and is therefore rarely affected by insects and fungal diseases. However, it can happen that there are attacks of aphid.
personal security measures
Bougainvillea care can be a bit dangerous due to the thorns well hidden under the many flowers. If you have decided to grow bougainvillea on your balcony terrace, you should consider purchasing special gloves to protect you from thorns when handling the plant.
The symbolic meaning of the bougainvillea changes in different parts of the world, but it is said to symbolize welcoming visitors. It is a plant that needs minimal attention but reciprocates majestically.