How to grow bougainvillea at home?

Bougainvillea - a small genus of tropical and subtropical plants that came to us from South Africa. Botanists classify 14 species of evergreens in this genus, which are small trees, shrubs or vines with long flexible prickly creeping shoots. Bougainvillea has earned its popularity thanks to its lush, long flowering, which can last all year in its homeland and in countries with a similar climate.

Bougainvillea leaves can be smooth or pubescent (depending on the type of plant), but they are always characterized by the next arrangement on the stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, small, cream-colored, collected in racemose inflorescences. The main decorative value is represented by brightly colored perianths, which resemble crumpled paper in texture.

Features of growing bougainvillea

Bougainvillea home

When growing bougainvillea, do not forget about its thermophilicity. In warm countries, the flower pleases with continuous flowering and does not have a dormant period, but it is not able to withstand temperatures below +5 ° C. In the subtropical regions of the Caucasus, the plant sometimes manages to be kept in open ground throughout the year, but even under these conditions, preventive shelter is required.

In the middle lane, bougainvillea is a greenhouse plant and is grown in greenhouses, greenhouses and houses.

The flower adapts well to conditions of detention that differ from natural. Indoor bougainvillea has a distinct dormant period and is not capable of continuous flowering, but with good care it can please the owner with bright colors several times a year. In the summer, bougainvillea will feel great in the garden, on the balcony or terrace.

The plant can be called relatively unpretentious. Bougainvillea does not require special conditions for keeping, but it is necessary to know the rules for caring for a flower in order to achieve maximum decorativeness. Even a novice florist should not have difficulty in caring for a plant.

Planting bougainvillea

Proper planting is essential for good growth and intense flowering of bougainvillea.

There are 3 main components to consider when planting a plant:

• optimal soil composition;
• the right choice of a pot;
• the choice of a favorable time.

The most common practice is to plant the plant in pots and tubs (depending on size).

When growing in a greenhouse, you can drop plants with a flowerpot or simply plant them in the ground. In the latter case, bougainvillea grows very intensively for the first few years, but does not bloom.

Priming

To plant a plant, you need a nutritious but light substrate with good water and air permeability. You can simply use the all-purpose flowering potting potting mix available at any flower shop. But experienced flower growers prefer to prepare the substrate for planting on their own.

To do this, take:

• leafy ground (2 parts);
• sod land (2 parts);
• coarse sand (1 part);
• humus (part 1).

Important! As additional components, a small amount of vermiculite, clay, chalk, ash or other substances is sometimes added to the soil. The pH of the soil should be in the range of 5.5 - 6.0.

Pot selection

In nature, bougainvillea often grows in a confined space, between stones, so a small pot must be chosen for planting and subsequent transplants. A spacious flowerpot stimulates the intensive growth of shoots and leaf mass to the detriment of flowering, and thin roots cannot always quickly master a new volume of soil, which leads to its acidification.

The new pot should only exceed the diameter of the old one by a few centimeters. The height of the flowerpot should be greater than the width, and a thick layer of expanded clay should be placed on the bottom.

Transplant time

At the beginning of spring, the plant wakes up after the winter dormant period and is ready to build up the underground and aboveground parts. This time is most favorable for planting and transplanting bougainvillea.

Home bougainvillea care

Growing bougainvillea is much easier than it might seem at first glance. The main thing with room maintenance is to bring the conditions as close as possible to natural ones.

Location and lighting

In nature, bougainvillea grows on rocky slopes and receives a lot of tropical sun, so at home you need to choose a place with maximum illumination, at least 5 hours of directional light per day. Even on sunny days, the plant does not need shading. The brightness of the bracts and the color saturation depend on the intensity of light. Bright lighting is also necessary in winter, despite the dormant period.

ATTENTION! Bougainvillea does not like movement, therefore, in an effort to find the best place, you should not move it from one room to another and twist it around its axis. Try to immediately choose a permanent place for the flower.

Air humidity

It is difficult to create at home the humidity characteristic of the tropics and subtropics, but you need to strive for this. Bougainvillea loves high humidity and regular spraying., especially in between flowering. During flowering, spraying can be stopped or carried out very carefully so that water does not get on the bracts. The plant can be placed on a pallet of wet pebbles to increase moisture.

Temperature regime

Bougainvillea is thermophilic and does not tolerate temperatures below 10 ° C. The optimal temperature for summer maintenance is considered to be 20-25 ° С, winter - 12-16 ° С. Lowering the temperature is important for bud formation and abundant flowering. If bougainvillea is kept in warmer conditions in winter, then it needs to be provided with additional lighting.

Watering

The plant needs abundant watering, especially during the period of active growth. However, a balance must be struck between dryness and waterlogging. The earth ball must be kept moist, but not wet. Bougainvillea stops growing in the fall and prepares for a dormant period, so watering must be reduced, and then almost completely stopped. In the autumn-winter period, it is especially important not to overmoisten the substrate and only not to allow it to dry out too much.

Top dressing

Bougainvillea from spring to autumn needs regular fertilizing with liquid fertilizer. It is recommended to use fertilizers for flowering and budding as a top dressing, with a low nitrogen content and an increased content of potassium, phosphorus and iron. Excess nitrogen delays and weakens flowering.

Pruning and shaping bougainvillea

Pruning - one of the most important aspects of plant care. Pruning is necessary not only to form a beautiful plant, but also to stimulate flowering. This procedure is carried out several times a year. In the spring, pruning is carried out to remove dried out over the winter and weak shoots. In the summer, inflorescences that have lost their decorative effect are cut off. Autumn pruning is done to shape. The shoots are shortened by a third of the length or more, the excess ones are cut out.

Formation allows you to give the plant a certain appearance. It can be formed as a single-stemmed tree, in the bonsai style, in the form of a multi-stem bush, or on a support, giving any bizarre shapes depending on its configuration.

Several plants of different colors, planted in one pot, whose shoots are intertwined as they grow, look extremely decorative. Multicolored plants can also be created by grafting on a stem.

IMPORTANT! When pruning, it is imperative to leave 5-7 cm of the shoot of the current year, because dormant buds on old shoots are awakened very hard, and new shoots may not form.

Transfer

When choosing a pot, soil and time for transplanting, you must be guided by the same criteria as when planting. The new flowerpot should only be a few centimeters more spacious than the previous one. It is not worth choosing a pot that is too large, because this negatively affects both flowering and plant health. Thin roots are not able to quickly master the earthy clod and the earth can turn sour.

It is advisable not to damage the roots and an earthen lump, but simply transfer the plant to a larger flowerpot, and fill the free space with soil. Transshipment is less traumatic for the roots than transplanting, so the plant tolerates this procedure more easily.

The frequency of replanting depends on the age and growth rate of the plant. Young bougainvilleas are recommended to be transplanted annually or once every 2 years, adults - once every 3-5 years, or as needed.

ATTENTION! Bougainvillea does not tolerate transplanting well, especially adult specimens. Plants can be sick for a long time, shed their leaves and not bloom.

Reproduction

There are three main ways bougainvillea propagates:

• stem cuttings;
• air layering;
• seeds.

The seed method is the most difficult, since it is almost impossible to get seeds in the absence of a pollinator. In the wild, hummingbirds that live only in tropical countries are pollinators. In temperate climates, a hawk moth can sometimes be a pollinator, but ovary formation is very rare.

Stem cuttings are the most popular and easiest way to propagate. For reproduction, use summer semi-lignified cuttings, cut in June. Rooting is carried out at a temperature of 20-25 ° C and high humidity in a mixture of peat and sand. To create optimal conditions, you can use a greenhouse or simply cover the pot with cuttings with a plastic bag. Before planting, the cuttings are recommended to be treated with a growth stimulant. The likelihood of rooting will increase if the bottom heating of the container with cuttings is provided.

Propagation by air layers can be held at any time of the year. To do this, a pot with soil mixture is placed next to the plant, a young, non-lignified shoot is folded down, pinned to the ground and lightly sprinkled. In the place of contact with the soil, it is necessary to apply minor damage (scratches, cut) to stimulate the formation of roots. When the shoot takes root, the young plant can be detached.

Propagation by cuttings and layering makes it possible to preserve the variety of the plant. The likelihood of the layers rooting is higher, but this method allows you to get only a few copies. When propagated by cuttings, not all planted plants take root, but this method is quite suitable for mass propagation.

Flowering bougainvillea

This is how it blooms

Thanks to its bright and long flowering, the plant has earned popularity among flower growers. Flower buds are laid in winter, and with the onset of spring, flowers bloom on the plant, the main charm of which lies in bright bracts.

The duration of flowering at home can be 6-7 months (May-November). In this case, the leaves of the plant can be completely hidden under the bright bracts.

The color of the bracts of a plant may vary depending on the variety and species. They can be white, yellow, peach, purple, purple, purple, pink. Terry bouggenvillea is especially beautiful, in which the bracts are located in several rows.

The flowers are short-lived, but the bracts adorn the plant for a long time. When the bracts lose their decorative effect, the shoot is cut off, leaving 7-8 buds of the young shoot. This pruning stimulates re-flowering on young shoots.

Popular species and varieties

Among the few species of bougainvillea, only a few can be grown at home. Most often you can find Brazilian species: naked bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) and wonderful bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis). But plant varieties are striking in diversity. They differ not only in shape, color, number of bracts, but also in the color of the leaves.

Bougainvillea Sanderian with purple bracts and abundant flowering is considered one of the best. The most common varieties include the 'Vera Deep Purple' bougainvillea with large fuchsia-crimson bracts and abundant flowering. Lovers of variegated leaves will like the 'Orange Ice' bougainvillea, which strikes not only with its bright orange bracts, but also with variegated variegated leaves. The interesting color of the leaves is also characteristic of the 'Mini thai' variety. Bright green leaf blades are framed by a fluent border. In addition, the plant is compact and forms a well leafy crown.

Bougainvillea 'Double red' with red flowers looks very impressive thanks to the double bracts. Among the interestingly colored varieties, the bougainvillea 'Snowcap multi' stands out, the bracts of which have a two-color white-pink color.

Diseases and pests

The plant, despite its tropical origin, is resistant to diseases and pests. Most bougainvillea diseases are associated with care errors, because of which the plant loses its decorative effect and sheds its leaves.

The flower is sometimes affected by the scale insect, mealybug and aphids. Control measures for these pests are the same as for other indoor plants.

Popular questions about care and maintenance problems for bougainvillea

What is the lifespan of bougainvillea?

When kept at home, life expectancy does not exceed 5-10 years. The plant does not die, but it becomes very woody and stops blooming. In greenhouses, individual specimens can live up to 30 years.

Is the plant poisonous?

Bougainvillea does not belong to poisonous indoor plants and is safe for humans and pets.

Why doesn't bougainvillea bloom?

There are several reasons for the lack of flowering:

• lowering the temperature during the rest period is not ensured;
• insufficient lighting;
• excess nitrogen in the soil.

Why do bougainvillea leaves fall?

Leaves can fall off naturally as the plant prepares for winter. In the summer, leaf fall can be associated with the movement of the plant from place to place or a draft.

Why do the leaves turn yellow (dry)? Yellowing of the leaves most often occurs when the plant is flooded.

How does the plant overwinter? In winter, it is recommended to lower the temperature of the content. Bougainvillea sheds some leaves and this is normal. During this period, you need to water and spray the plant less.

Bougainvillea is an evergreen tree-like thorny vine native to Brazil. It is amazing: it has an unusually beautiful flowering, reproduces by cuttings and seeds, and often mutates.

French naturalist Philibert Commerson discovered it to the world in 1768. The name was given in honor of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville - the admiral, a close friend of the discoverer, traveled around the world in 1766-1769.

Recently, bougainvillea has become popular in home floriculture.

Room bougainvillea care

Growing bougainvillea at home Bonsai photo

The need for transplantation and soil

Bougainvillea is grown in one container for several years, even if the roots are completely entwined with an earthen ball. Young plants should be replanted annually and then every 3-5 years. Roots cannot be pruned. Transfer the plant, along with the earthen clod, into a slightly larger pot. Be sure to lay a drainage layer.

The soil needs water and air permeability. You can mix in equal proportions humus, leaf, turf and compost.

Site selection and lighting

Choose a place that is warm, well-lit by the sun. Feels great on the southern windows, delighting with abundant flowering.

In summer, liana can be planted in open ground. When planted in a container, bougainvillea will become an effective decoration for balconies, terraces, and hang in pots.

Air temperature

The optimum air temperature will be in the range of 22-25 ° C. Bring it into the room when the temperature has dropped to 8 ° C. Keep cool in winter: 10-12 ° C.

Watering

Between waterings, the soil should dry out a little on top. Pour water until it flows through the drain holes. Remove excess water from the pan.

Top dressing

Apply complex mineral fertilizers or organic matter every couple of weeks. Do not be afraid to feed so often - this is only good for the flower.

Pinching and trimming

Since flowers appear on young shoots, the tips should be pinched weekly. Remove thin, weak, dried out shoots in the spring. Remove dried shoots after flowering. In the fall, shorten the shoots by 5-7 cm, thin out dense places. The maximum length that bougainvillea branches can be cut to is half the length of the branches. This radical procedure will stimulate the growth of new lateral shoots, making the crown thicker and more leafy. Remember that flowers will only appear on young twigs, so only cut the plant radically before dormancy.

Why did bougainvillea's leaves fall off?

This question often arises when growing this flower. If the plant is not stressed, leaf fall is a natural process in preparation for the dormant period. In this case, no special measures are required.

If the flower has been exposed to drafts, lack of moisture, stress during transplantation, when the roots have been disturbed, you just need to provide the plant with proper care and exclude the influence of harmful factors.

It can also throw off bougainvillea leaves due to diseases: if, for example, a plant is affected by root rot due to constant overflows.In this case, the flower is transplanted, removing the damaged roots, into a new soil and a disinfected pot. After transplantation, they are watered with a solution of phytosporin, and the aerial part is also treated with it.

How to form a bougainvillea bonsai

How to make bougainvillea bonsai photo

The plant is formed into one trunk with two or three branches, the rest are cut off. When bougainvillea becomes lignified, a cardinal pruning of the central branches is carried out, as they say, "on a stump". The flower will give new young shoots, which should also be controlled in growth: pinch and cut excess ones, and also tilt in the right direction with the help of a wire. The same technique may well be used at the stage of trunk formation, if there is a desire to get a tree tilted to the side. When the branches or trunk are lignified, the wires are removed.

Bonsai are pruned before the dormant period, so that the plant has time to release shoots and lay flower buds, then next season the mini-bonsai-style tree will delight you with bright and abundant flowering.

If the bare branches from below seem unsightly to you, you can carry out the procedure for grafting cuttings onto the trunk. To do this, they outline the place of inoculation, cut off a young green stalk, remove all leaves from it, keeping the buds on it. Take a drill with a drill of the appropriate size, drill a hole and insert the handle into it. Soon, the grafting will take root and the bonsai will take on a more elegant look.

How to form bougainvillea bonsai photo

The stalk must be inserted into the hole in such a way as not to damage the kidneys, especially the one that is closest to the trunk.

Grafted cuttings on bonsai bougainvillea photo

It will not be difficult to ensure the survival of the cuttings: it is enough to water the plant in a timely manner and provide it with peace, so that the position of the plant branches is not disturbed.

Growing bougainvillea from seeds

Bougainvillea seeds photo

Sowing bougainvillea seeds is not difficult. This is done from late February to mid-April. Prepare a loose nutrient substrate (you can take ready-made soil for seedlings). Seeds are planted one at a time in container cups or sown in boxes at a distance of at least 2-3 cm from each other, to a depth of no more than 1 cm.

After sowing, you need to water everything from a spray bottle, cover with foil or glass and arrange bottom heating so that the earth is warm all the time (about 27-30 ° C). You need to be patient, since the seedlings will not appear soon: it will take about two to three months. All this time, the greenhouse is ventilated and watered regularly, but without frills (either through a pallet or from a spray gun).

Bougainvillea from seed photo

As soon as shoots appear, the shelter is removed. Densely sown plants dive in the presence of 2-3 leaves. Grown plants from container cups are transferred to more spacious containers. Grow seedlings in good light, providing moderate, regular watering. Finished seedlings are planted in pots of constant content in the soil for adult plants, providing mandatory drainage.

Reproduction of bougainvillea by cuttings

• In January-March, cut the top cuttings with 2-3 growth buds, remove the lower leaves, cut the upper ones half the area to reduce moisture evaporation during rooting.
• Cuttings are left in a solution of root or heteroauxin for a day to stimulate future root formation.
• Mix leafy soil with sand and plant the cuttings.

How to cut bougainvillea photo

• Cover with a jar or plastic bottle, keep the air temperature at 20-25 ° C.
• Rooting takes about 1.5 months.
• Plant the finished seedlings in pots 7-9 cm high, filled with a mixture of peat, sand, leafy earth and compost.
• Grow in a bright place with an air temperature of 18 ° C.
• When the shoots are 5 cm long, it is necessary to pinch the tops.When the roots are completely entwined with the earthy ball, the plants should be transferred into pots with a diameter of 11-12 cm.
• Water the plants abundantly, but do not allow the soil to become waterlogged to prevent root rot and mold contamination of the soil.
• In autumn, a slowdown in growth rates and partial leaf fall is possible, but with the onset of a warm season, the vegetation will be restored.

Diseases, pests, other difficulties

Fungal infections, chlorosis of the leaves are possible diseases. Remove the affected areas. Treat the plant and the ground with a fungicide - phytosporin.

Most often bougainvillea affects mealybugs, aphids, spider mites. They significantly weaken the plant by feeding on sap. Wash them off with soapy water first. Then apply an insecticide treatment.

Types and varieties of bougainvillea with photos and descriptions

The genus has 14 species, of which many varieties have been bred. Consider the most popular representatives in ornamental cultivation.

Bougainvillea nude Bougainvillea glabra

Bougainvillea Nude Bougainvillea Glabra Photos

The shrub has curly shoots, thorns are rarely located, so this name is given. Leaves are oval, glossy. Flowers appear at the tops of the shoots.

Bougainvillea Peruvian Bougainvillea peruviana

Bougainvillea peruvian Bougainvillea peruviana photo

Curly shoots are covered with strong thorns. Leaves from semicircular to broadly oval. Interestingly, at the beginning of flowering, the color of the flowers is red, and then turns white.

Bougainvillea wonderful Bougainvillea spectabilis

Bougainvillea wonderful Bougainvillea spectabilis photo

Numerous thorns cover the curly shoots. Small sessile flowers are collected in 3 pieces, the bract is large, painted in lilac color. The flowering is profuse and long lasting.

Bougainvillea is an evergreen shrub. It is quite rare to find it in private houses and apartments, which is explained by the difficulty in caring for a plant at home. Despite this, the plant is characterized by a rather attractive appearance, which makes it possible to decorate the design of any room with its help.

Description of bougainvillea

Bougainvillea belongs to the nectagin family. This plant has a second name "paper flower". Despite the fact that the culture grows in natural conditions in Brazil, it is characterized by the presence of a French name. This is due to the fact that it was the French who first discovered this plant in nature.

Today, there are more than 14 types of flowers. Under natural conditions, the culture most often grows in the form of a shrub. The branches can be up to 5 meters in length. Adult vines are characterized by the presence of lignified branches. The culture is characterized by the presence of thorns. The foliage of the plant is characterized by a smooth surface and slightly pointed ends.

The culture is characterized by the presence of small yellow flowers. The bracts are painted in a bright color, which provides the plant with an attractive appearance. At home, the most common cultivation is smooth bougainvillea, which is characterized by a low height. The cultivation and maintenance of the plant can be carried out in different areas, which are characterized by temperatures of more than +5 degrees.

Plant varieties

Bougainvillea is characterized by the presence of several varieties. Below you can find information on the most popular bougainvillea varieties:

• Astra Gold. This variety is characterized by the presence of double bracts. During the flowering period, they have an orange tint, and after a certain time - salmon.
• Astra pink. This variety has coral pink bracts and is characterized by abundant flowering.
• Vlack India Red. This crop is characterized by a dark green leaf. It also has raspberry-purple bracts.
• California Gold. This culture has large and non-double bracts.Initially, they have a bright yellow color, which becomes lighter after a certain time.

Due to the presence of a large number of bougainvillea varieties, it is possible to choose the most acceptable option for a florist.

Growing conditions

Conditions	Requirements
Lighting	Culture loves bright but diffused light. It is also possible to plant a flower in partial shade. This lighting regime must be provided in the spring and summer period. During the dormant period, the plant is provided with five hours of daylight. Cultivation is best done on the south or west windows. To get enough sunlight and air, the plant is recommended to be taken outside in the summer. In order to avoid the appearance of burns on the leaves, it is necessary to limit the possibility of direct sunlight on the plant.
Temperature	The cultivation and maintenance of bougainvillea should be carried out at an optimal temperature, which is 22-30 degrees. During rest, it is recommended to maintain a temperature of 5-7 degrees. Against this background, the leaves of the plant begin to fall off, which is a natural process. That is why new leaves appear on the bush next year. At temperatures less than 4 degrees, the death of the culture is observed.
Humidity	The plant does not like excessively high temperatures. That is why in the summer it is recommended to carry out regular spraying of the flower. Water procedures are recommended in the morning.

Subject to the conditions for proper maintenance and care of bougainvillea in an apartment, the plant will delight with its beauty.

Planting and transplanting

A bougainvillea transplant is recommended when the soil in the flowerpot is thinning or when there is not enough space. Under such conditions, transplantation, as an element of care, is irreplaceable. Transplanting young crops should be done every two years. Before planting, it is recommended to prepare a soil mixture from:

• Peat;
• Sand;
• Sod land;
• Humus.

All components are taken in equal amounts and mixed thoroughly. Also for this purpose, the use of a special substrate is allowed. To ensure the normal development of the root system, it is recommended to select a deep pot.

Important! A bougainvillea transplant should be carried out in the spring.

• Initially, high-quality watering of the soil is carried out in a pot.
• Drainage from broken brick, expanded clay or coarse sand is poured into the bottom of the new tank.
• A small amount of the substrate is poured on top.
• The soil is loosened along the edge of the flowerpot, which will allow you to more accurately pull the flower out of it.
• The roots of the plant are cleared of soil and carefully examined.
• The plant is set upright.
• The root system of bougainvillea is sprinkled with soil mixture.

Home care and cultivation

In order to ensure normal growth and abundant flowering of bougainvillea, it must be looked after at home. For this purpose, it is recommended to follow a few specific rules.

Video: caring for bougainvillea at home.

Watering and feeding

During the growth of the plant, it needs abundant watering. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the bougainvillea soil dries out by a few centimeters.

Culture does not tolerate not only stagnant water, but also drought. In the latter case, the buds will fall off. During the rest period, it is correct to water the bougainvillea in a smaller volume. But, the land should not be excessively dry.

In the spring-autumn period, it is recommended to apply nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The procedure should be performed every 2 weeks. During rest, bougainvillea must be additionally fed.

Bloom

Bougainvillea blooms a few years after planting. Quite often, flower growers are faced with a lack of flowering in the culture.Why doesn't bougainvillea bloom at home? With large flower sizes, the absence of flowers is often observed. With an improperly organized period of rest or its absence, this problem can also be observed. That is why it is necessary to provide a temperature of 5-12 degrees in the room.

Low temperatures or rainfall during the summer can lead to a lack of flowering. In this case, there is a need for additional heating. To ensure the flowering of the crop, it is necessary to completely stop feeding for several weeks and reduce watering.

Wintering

There are certain nuances in caring for bougainvillea at home in winter:

• In winter, it is necessary to reduce the frequency of watering. In this case, it is recommended to ensure that the earthen lump does not dry out excessively.
• Also, the flower needs to lower the temperature to 5-12 degrees.
• Lighting in winter should be dimmer than in summer.

If you follow these tips, then wintering bougainvillea will pass without hassle.

Pruning and shaping the crown

Pruning bougainvillea directly affects the appearance of the flower. To stimulate the flowering of the culture, the procedure should be carried out in autumn and spring. In summer, cosmetic trimming is recommended. In autumn, it is recommended to cut off only the tips of the stems from bougainvillea.

In the pre-growing season, selective pruning is recommended. The flower buds are formed on young and short shoots. In order to stimulate the lateral shoots, it is necessary to cut the old branches by about half.

Diseases and pests

With improper home care for bougainvillea, the development of various diseases and pests can be observed on it:

Name	Development features
Mold	It is characterized by the appearance of soft white spots on the foliage. The onset of the disease is observed with excessive humidity and poor ventilation. In this case, it is necessary to rearrange the flower in a room that is well ventilated.
Aphid	The appearance of aphids on bougainvillea is observed from the underside of the leaf. In this case, discoloration, twisting and falling of the foliage is observed. The flower must be washed with soapy water and treated with an insecticide. The ideal option in this case is Actellik.
Mealybug	Damage to pedicels, buds and flowers is observed. These small sedentary insects lead to a slowdown in crop growth. If accumulations of pests are noticeable, then they must be removed with soapy water, in which the sponge is pre-moistened. If they are observed in a hard-to-reach place, then the treatment is carried out with gauze, which is wound on a stick and pre-moistened in alcohol. It is also recommended to trim the damaged parts of the flower.

Resuscitation

To save bougainvillea with damaged roots, you need to carefully remove the plant from the pot and wash it. Damaged plant roots are cut off and covered with wood ash. Thus, bougainvillea is reanimated.

If the bougainvillea is accidentally broken, then you need to carefully trim it. Over time, it will sprout new shoots.

Reproduction

There are three ways bougainvillea propagates:

• Seeds;
• Cuttings;
• Layers.

Seed propagation

The first method of propagation of bougainvillea is quite difficult, since not every grower can get seeds from warm countries.

If you have bougainvillea seeds, you need to plant them correctly at home. For this purpose, loose soil or peat tablets are used. After planting, the container with seeds should be in a room with a temperature of 25 to 28 degrees. The emergence of seedlings is rather slow.

Propagation by cuttings

Reproduction of bougainvillea by cuttings is carried out in the spring. Florists are planting strong and healthy semi-lignified apical cuttings, the length of which is from 7 to 10 centimeters.

How to propagate bougainvillea by cuttings?

• After removing the leaves from the cutting, it must be soaked in a special solution that will promote the formation of the root system.
• After half an hour, the cuttings are planted in the ground. Also for this purpose, the use of peat tablets can be carried out.
• After the formation of roots, after several months, the cuttings are planted in separate pots.

Video: grafting bougainvillea.

Reproduction by layering

In the autumn, layering is used for propagation of bougainvillea. Thanks to the elastic branches of the plant, it can be easily bent to the soil. The layering is fixed with a metal pin. After the roots appear, the cuttings are cut off from the main plant and transplanted into another pot.

Video: how best to propagate bougainvillea - in water or soil.

Graft

To obtain original new varieties of culture, it is recommended to inoculate bougainvillea. For this purpose, a double-folded thick thread, a scalpel, medical glue and phytosporin are used. A shallow lateral incision is made on the scion. The graft is cut with a sharp wedge and inserted into the incision. The scion is glued with medical glue and fixed with a thread.

Bougainvillea is an amazingly beautiful flower. Despite certain difficulties in growing and caring for home, the plant is the dream of any grower, since it can be used to decorate the interior of any room.

Various bracts of bougainvillea simply amaze with their magnificence and riot of colors. They are triangular, round, arrow-shaped and heart-shaped. Caring for bougainvillea in an apartment is not difficult, despite the existing myths. It lends itself easily to formative pruning and undemanding maintenance. Thanks to this, the plant can be grown as a liana, bush, or form a bonsai and standard tree.

Features of growing bougainvillea at home

Location

Bougainvillea loves bright sunlight, so when choosing a place, it is better to stay on the southern windowsill. The plant will feel warm and comfortable.

Regular ventilation is necessary, but drafts must be monitored. They are contraindicated for exotics. The plant especially does not tolerate cold air.

Requirements for the composition of the soil

Under natural growing conditions, a paper flower is not afraid of stony soil, an arid climate. But at home, different requirements are imposed on growing a bush. Bougainvillea will grow and flower well in moisture and breathable soil. The soil should be dense, slightly alkaline. This is the only requirement for the substrate, since the plant is unpretentious.

It is allowed to prepare the growing soil yourself. It is necessary to mix sod and leafy soil in a ratio of 3: 3, add a little coarse sand, 2 parts of peat.

If it is not possible to compose the soil yourself, it is recommended to buy a universal substrate, add river sand to it.

Planting and transplanting

The bushes are planted in deep and wide pots, otherwise the powerful root system will not have enough space for growth. A drainage layer is required at the bottom of the pot. This is the main rule, since delicate roots can rot from constant contact with excess water. The drainage layer should be at least 3-4 cm.

Bougainvillea does not tolerate if its root system is constantly disturbed: it stops growing, drops flowers, reluctantly releases new shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to transfer from a smaller pot to a larger one.

Young specimens are transplanted once a year, adult specimens - 1 time in 4-5 years.The new pot should be 1 to 2 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

Interesting to know!
Florists noticed that abundant flowering is observed in a cramped pot. If an exotic beauty picks up a spacious container, she will direct all her forces to the development of the root system and, only then, when the roots fill the free space, will it begin to bloom.

Lighting and temperature control

The larger the plant, the more it needs natural light. To grow a compact bush, you need to turn the pot towards the sun all the time.

The light-loving flower loves to swim in direct sunlight. Therefore, in the summertime, it can be taken outside for 4 hours or placed on a windowsill on the south side.

Bright lighting is not required in the cold season, the pot can be moved to a shaded place.

If you carry out proper care and maintenance in the apartment, you can achieve long flowering. Bougainvillea needs an optimal temperature regime - at least +21 ° C. It is important to provide good ventilation or aeration of the room and make sure that the sun's rays fall on the plant.

During the dormant period, which lasts from mid-autumn to early spring, the indoor bougainvillea flower stops flowering. In summer, the room temperature should not drop below +13 ° C, and in winter - +7 ° C. A drop in temperature below the indicated marks will lead to a disease of the root system and the flower may die.

Watering and feeding

During the growing season, regular and abundant watering is necessary, but it is recommended to let the soil dry out between wetting the soil. Starting in autumn, watering is reduced, thereby providing a dormant period.

For the duration of flowering and color saturation, bougainvillea is recommended to be fed. It is allowed to use any complex fertilizer for flowering plants. The flower is fed no more than once a week. Fertilization is stopped in the fall.

Air humidity

The paper flower does not tolerate hot and dry air, so it must be sprayed in the summer. The procedure is best done in the morning, since the daytime exposure to bright sunlight on wet foliage can lead to burns. During spraying, it is required to prevent the ingress of water on flowers and bracts.

For your information!
The room in which the flower grows needs daily ventilation.

Reproduction of bougainvillea

New specimens can be obtained by seed propagation, cuttings and rooting of air layers.

The most effective breeding method is cuttings. In spring or early autumn, lignified cuttings with several buds must be cut from the very top. The length of the cutting should be at least 10 cm. After cutting, the planting material is placed in warm water for 2 hours, then the lower cut of the cutting is dipped in a root formation solution or heteroauxin.

The prepared cutting is planted in a nutritious soil consisting of peat and sand.

Attention!
The effectiveness of rooting depends on the creation of optimal conditions. Roots appear faster if propagation is carried out in a mini-greenhouse with bottom heating.

In the greenhouse, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within + 26-28 ° C. To avoid acidification of the soil and the formation of mold on the surface of the soil, it is recommended to ventilate the cuttings 2 times a day.

After rooting, young plants are transplanted into a nutrient substrate consisting of garden soil, peat, sand, taken in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. For better development of bougainvillea, 20% of fertilizers based on algae and manure are added to the prepared soil. For planting, they take a not deep, but wide pot.

When propagating by air layers, a not yet lignified shoot is selected, transverse cuts are made on the bark. Then it is tilted to the soil in another flowerpot, fixed in such a way that the place of the cuts is in close contact with the ground.When the air layers take root, they are separated from the mother bush and transplanted into a new container.

Seed propagation is only possible for experienced growers, therefore, due to the complexity of the process, it is little used at home.

Bush formation, pruning

To get a flowering tree and stimulate the growth of new shoots, it is recommended to carry out gentle and rejuvenating pruning 2 times a year.

Since bougainvillea blooms on new branches, with the arrival of spring it is necessary to shorten all old shoots by 1/3 of their length. Autumn pruning is carried out in order to form a bush: all branches sticking out to the sides are removed to make a compact bush.

Young specimens are pruned only once a year in the spring, even before the start of active growth. During the growing season, it is necessary to monitor the plant. If there are flaccid and thin shoots, they can be easily removed, but when pruning, it is important to ensure that at least 7 cm of new growth remains on the shoots.

On a note!
To stimulate the growth of new stems, you need to cut the shoots above the upper bud or leaf plate.

After flowering, pruning is also necessary, because flowering occurs only on young shoots. The faded parts of the plant are removed, leaving a shoot on which there are at least 6 buds. If done correctly, during the growing season, bougainvillea will have time to grow new shoots and will delight you with abundant flowering.

In an adult plant, dormant buds are very reluctant to wake up. If the bush has thin shoots, it needs to be supported by bamboo or wire, otherwise it will not be able to hold the weight of its flowers, and eventually it will break.

Shrub shaping is done to create bonsai. A fancy shape can be given by trimming the shoots along the contour.

Frequent problems and pests

To get a beautiful compact bush with a charming head of flowers, care for bougainvillea at home should be carried out in accordance with agrotechnical methods of cultivation.

If plants are not cared for properly, bougainvillea will become sick and attacked by pests.

The appearance of yellow foliage indicates waterlogging of the soil. If the tree stopped growing and began to shed its foliage, it means that it does not like the place that was chosen for growing.

Pests include aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. The fight against them is carried out by folk methods, as well as the use of chemicals in accordance with the instructions.

A lush bush, huge caps of bougainvillea flowers, if cultivated and nurtured at home, can ennoble even the most modest architectural project. A beautifully flowering plant ideal for interior decoration, for decorating covered gazebos, terraces and verandas.