How to grow bougainvillea flowers
Bougainvillea (scientific name: Bougainvillea) is a tropical ornamental plant that is loved by florists for its bright flower colors and strong vitality. How to grow bougainvillea has become a hot topic in recent years, especially on social media and gardening forums. This article will give you a detailed introduction to bougainvillea breeding techniques based on the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Basic characteristics of bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is native to South America. It likes a warm and humid environment and is drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant. The flowers are actually small and white, but the bracts are colorful, with red, purple, pink, etc. being common. The following are the main characteristics of bougainvillea:
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Lighting requirements | Likes plenty of sunshine, at least 6 hours of direct light every day |
| temperature range | Suitable growth temperature is 15-30℃, frostbite may occur if it is below 5℃ |
| Moisture requirements | Tolerant to drought, avoid stagnant water, keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season |
| flowering cycle | The natural flowering period is from April to October. Flowering can be promoted by controlling water. |
2. Key points of bougainvillea cultivation
Based on recent advice from gardening experts and the practical experience of flower lovers, the following are the key points for cultivating bougainvillea:
1. Soil selection
Bougainvillea prefers loose and breathable slightly acidic soil. You can mix leaf mold soil, garden soil and river sand in a ratio of 4:4:2, or purchase special nutrient soil directly. The bottom of the basin needs to be padded with ceramsite or gravel to enhance drainage.
2. Watering techniques
The "water control method to promote flowering" shared by many bloggers has sparked heated discussions recently: reduce watering 2-3 weeks before the flowering period, wait until the leaves are slightly wilted, and then water thoroughly. Repeating this 2-3 times can stimulate the differentiation of flower buds. Be careful to avoid prolonged drought that can cause leaf drop.
| season | Watering frequency |
|---|---|
| spring | 3-5 days/time, keep moist |
| summer | 1-2 days/time, avoid watering at noon |
| autumn | 4-7 days/time, gradually reduce |
| winter | 10-15 days/time, keep dry |
3. Fertilization method
Recent popular flower fertilizer reviews show that bougainvillea prefers phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Apply diluted compound fertilizer every half month during the growing season, and add potassium dihydrogen phosphate before the flowering period. Pay attention to applying thin fertilizer frequently to avoid root burning.
4. Trim and shape
Douyin's popular pruning tutorial suggests: Prune again in spring to retain the trunk, and top off in time during the growth period to promote branching. For bougainvillea in old piles, you can use the "stem cutting and branching method" to create a bonsai shape. This method has recently received a high number of hits on Station B.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the highly praised answers on Zhihu in the past 10 days, the following frequently asked questions have been sorted out:
| question | solution |
|---|---|
| Leaves turn yellow | Check for water accumulation/iron deficiency, improve drainage or spray ferrous sulfate |
| No flowers | Increase light, control water and promote flowers, supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizers |
| Serious defoliation | It may be a sudden change in temperature or excessive drought. Keep the environment stable. |
| pests and diseases | Use abamectin for spider mites and imidacloprid for aphids, spray once a week |
4. Recommendation of new varieties
The new bougainvillea varieties launched at the recent flower show have attracted attention:
1.'Golden heart double color': Leaves with gold spots, red and white flowers, popular in Xiaohongshu
2.'Green Leaf Sakura': The pale pink bracts are like cherry blossoms, with over 500,000 likes on Douyin
3.'Brazilian purple': Deep purple flowers, long flowering period, popular variety on Taobao
5. Summary
Breeding bougainvillea requires mastering the three principles of "enough light, smart watering, and frequent pruning". The recently popular water control and flowering techniques and old pile styling techniques are worth trying. Choose varieties suitable for the local climate and pay attention to winter cold protection, so that your bougainvillea will bloom all year round. It is recommended that novices start with common varieties and then try rare varieties after gaining experience.
With the advancement of horticultural technology, bougainvillea cultivation methods are also constantly innovating. By paying attention to the latest breeding trends and summarizing experience based on practice, you can also become an expert in bougainvillea maintenance.
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