Easy to grow... but know how needed to keep them blooming!
We all love to see a bougainvillea in full flower. You would think a plant that spectacular would be hard to grow. It's really not hard at all to grow but it does take a little know how to keep them blooming throughout the year.
You have many choices in flower color. Red, pink, white, lavender, purple and orange. Double or single flower bracts. Variegated foliage or green. They all have one thing in common. When they get proper care they will consistently reward you with spectacular color.
LIGHT
Bougainvillea require lots of full sun to grow thick and to bloom profusely. At least 5-6 hours of full sun per day. Too little light and they will stretch and bloom very little. Don't worry about the heat in the summer. They thrive on it.
PRUNING
Bougainvillea are basically woody vines but with consistent pruning can be kept as a bush or small tree. They will cycle through blooming periods and when they are between those blooming periods....that is the best time to prune. Pruning stimulates new growth and they bloom only on new growth.
NUTRITION
This fast growing vine that flowers throughout the year needs a continual source of nutrition. You can use slow release granular fertilizers specifically for bougainvilleas. Water soluables work well but have to be applied frequently. Use magnesium sulfate twice a year for nicer foliage and better flowering.
WATER
This is the critical factor in keeping bougainvillea in bloom. When a bougainvillea is in flower keep the soil evenly moist. When they are not flowering be sure not to water until the plant wilts slightly. This indicates that the plant has dried out completely. Repeat this watering method for several weeks or so and that should bring it back into flower.
This is why it is recommended to plant bougainvillea in containers. Plant in a hanging basket or in a pot that will allow the plant to be a little root bound. This will make it easier to help the bougainvillea dry out between waterings.
Rainy periods or too much constant irrigation can keep bougainvillea that are planted in the ground from blooming. If you are getting lots of growth and little or no flowers than this is usually the problem.
PESTS
Bougainvillea have very little problem with insects or disease when planted in a location that has good drainage, air circulation and lots of sun.
WINTER PROTECTION
Bougainvilleas need protection from cold temperatures. They will lose some of their foliage when they get a lot of sustained temps under 50 degrees.
If they get a heavy frost they will burn back and if they see a lot of sustained temps below freezing they can die.
Kept in pots or hanging baskets they are easy to protect by putting them in the garage for those few cold days that we get every winter. Be sure to always water well before a freeze.