Can bougainvillea be grown outdoors?

The fertile tropics have endowed northern latitudes with many ornamental plants. Sparing no time and labor, breeders strive to tame exotic animals to life in extreme conditions. Growing and caring for bougainvillea is an exciting experience.

Climatic conditions for the growth of bougainvillea

A small tree, shrub, liana with thorns is a description of bougainvillea. At home in Brazil, the plant blooms for 9 months a year. Not decorative flowers, bracts. They have different shapes, large, bright, from lilac to white. Behind the riot of color, paper-like plates, at times leaves are not visible.

Of the 18 existing species, it was possible to acclimatize and get hybrids from several varieties of bougainvillea:

• beautiful;
• Peruvian;
• naked.

The plant loves space, a lot of light and warmth. Moreover, the temperature below +5 C for the roots of the plant is unacceptable. Lowering the temperature to 0, even for a short time, is disastrous for a guest from the tropics. Where in the vastness of the homeland can a plant survive in natural conditions? Only in the southernmost latitudes of Crimea, on the Black Sea coast.

There, in natural conditions, you can admire the beauty of vines and bougainvillea bushes, garden planting and landscaping. In other regions, potted cultivation is used for decoration with taking out to the garden for summer maintenance.You can create compositions in conservatories and greenhouses. But this is a protected ground with a controlled climate.

Bougainvillea in the Moscow region gratefully accepts relocation to fresh air when the threat of return frosts has passed. But the flowering period is short. In September, the plant must be saved again from a cold snap. But the spectacle of a blooming exotic pays for all the complexities of its content. Sometimes the tub with the plant is buried, and then it seems that the tree is growing out of the ground.

Planting and care of bougainvillea in the North-West is carried out only in winter gardens, greenhouses. Keeping potted plants indoors is the only way to admire the beauty of tropical plants. In greenhouses and conservatories, bougainvillea should occupy the south side, without crowding.

Bougainvillea growing and grooming requirements

Depending on the conditions of detention, the vine can give an increase of up to three meters per year. The regulation of growth and flowering becomes an important factor in the decorativeness of the garden bougainvillea during planting and maintenance.

Crown formation

Competent pruning of young and skeletal branches allows you to form the desired crown. Any shape of the bush can be chosen. Without cutting, the number of side shoots decreases, the decorative effect of the plant decreases. There are three types of bougainvillea pruning:

• in the fall, before Bougainvillea leaves for rest, the summer growth is shortened by half;
• in spring, twigs with lignified stems are shortened by 10-13 cm, causing bushiness;
• during the growing season, a weak growth and branches are removed, which violate the composition.

The same is done with pot and greenhouse plants.

Temperature regime

Even in the most favorable climatic conditions of California and Madrid, the risk of freezing bougainvillea when grown outdoors remains. Required temperature:

• in summer, during flowering 21-270 С;
• the beginning of the growing season in spring at temperatures above 100 C;
• the minimum temperature of the earth clod is +5 degrees.

If the plant is kept in warmer conditions in winter, there will be no dormant period, but summer flowering will be weaker. It is important for areas where the plant is exhibited in tubs for the summer, to observe the regime for the summer riot of color.

Factors to consider when growing and caring for bougainvillea

The plant needs abundant watering with warm soft water. At the same time, waterlogging should not be allowed. Damp soil, especially cold soil, will lead to root rot and plant death.

In summer, watering depends on the daytime temperature, it is carried out in the morning no more than twice a week when growing bougainvillea outdoors. Spraying green leaves is beneficial to the plant, but the bracts must remain dry. In winter, watering is rare, only for a slight preservation of moisture in a coma of earth. You cannot fill the plant.

If bougainvillea in the Moscow region is contained in a container, the transplant is performed with a decrease in growth, which means that the roots do not have enough nutrition.

It is necessary to feed the plants during the growing season with a complex fertilizer, from spring it is necessary to use the mullein effectively. Excess nitrogenous fertilizers can provoke an increase in green mass to the detriment of flowering.

The plant needs diffused light in winter and a bright long day in summer. Direct sunlight is beneficial for bougainvillea, bright diffused light too. Good flowering requires at least 6 hours of direct light.

When planting a tub plant, it is necessary to take into account not only the illumination, but choose a calm place. In drafts, the plant can shed its leaves. It is necessary to install the tub once, you cannot even turn it, changing the direction of the branches. The plant will stop blooming and shed its leaves.

If the weather has turned bad, and according to forecasts, a long bad weather is expected, bougainvillea must be protected from waterlogging by all available means.

Creating man-made beauty with bougainvillea

A single specimen of a tropical flower can delight from one to 10 years under cultivation conditions. Bougainvillea reaches its maximum decorative effect at the age of 4-5 years. The bushes planted in the ground of the greenhouse from the south are especially beautiful. In summer they turn into avalanches of flowers. Compositions with different colors are especially beautiful.

There is another way to use the effect of a separate bush with different colors. Initially, several plants are planted in one tub, an intertwined trunk of several vines and a lush multicolored bush are formed by pruning bougainvilleas.

Unusual and mesmerizing with mystery, bonsai from naked bougainvillea. This variety lends itself well to the formation of a trunk. Arches from lianas, pergolas, gazebos, whatever the skillful hands of an artist can do from living material!

How to grow bougainvillea - video

Garden bougainvillea - growing and care, planting in the suburbs, in the north-west, on the street, video

The fertile tropics have endowed northern latitudes with many ornamental plants. Sparing no time and labor, breeders strive to tame exotic animals to life in extreme conditions. Growing and caring for bougainvillea is an exciting experience.

Climatic conditions for the growth of bougainvillea

A small tree, shrub, liana with thorns is a description of bougainvillea. At home in Brazil, the plant blooms for 9 months a year.

Not decorative flowers, bracts. They have different shapes, large, bright, from lilac to white.

Behind the riot of color, paper-like plates, at times leaves are not visible.

Of the 18 existing species, it was possible to acclimatize and get hybrids from several varieties of bougainvillea:

• beautiful;
• Peruvian;
• naked.

The plant loves space, a lot of light and warmth. Moreover, the temperature below +50 C for the roots of the plant is unacceptable.

Lowering the temperature to 0, even for a short time, is disastrous for a guest from the tropics.

Where in the vastness of the homeland can a plant survive in natural conditions? Only in the southernmost latitudes of Crimea, on the Black Sea coast.

There, in natural conditions, you can admire the beauty of vines and bougainvillea bushes, garden planting and landscaping.

In other regions, potted cultivation is used for decoration with taking out to the garden for summer maintenance. You can create compositions in conservatories and greenhouses.

But this is a protected ground with a controlled climate.

Bougainvillea in the Moscow region gratefully accepts resettlement to fresh air when the threat of return frosts has passed. But the flowering period is short.

In September, the plant must be saved again from a cold snap. But the spectacle of a blooming exotic pays for all the complexities of its content.

Sometimes the tub with the plant is buried, and then it seems that the tree is growing out of the ground.

Planting and care of bougainvillea in the North-West is carried out only in winter gardens, greenhouses. Keeping potted plants indoors is the only way to admire the beauty of tropical plants. In greenhouses and conservatories, bougainvillea should occupy the south side, without crowding.

Bougainvillea growing and grooming requirements

Depending on the conditions of detention, the vine can give an increase of up to three meters per year. The regulation of growth and flowering becomes an important factor in the decorativeness of the garden bougainvillea during planting and maintenance.

Crown formation

Competent pruning of young and skeletal branches allows you to form the desired crown. Any shape of the bush can be chosen. Without cutting, the number of side shoots decreases, the decorative effect of the plant decreases. There are three types of bougainvillea pruning:

• in the fall, before Bougainvillea leaves for rest, the summer growth is shortened by half;
• in spring, twigs with lignified stems are shortened by 10-13 cm, causing bushiness;
• during the growing season, a weak growth and branches are removed, which violate the composition.

The same is done with pot and greenhouse plants.

Temperature regime

Even in the most favorable climatic conditions of California and Madrid, the risk of freezing bougainvillea when grown outdoors remains. Required temperature:

• in summer, during flowering 21-270 С;
• the beginning of the growing season in spring at temperatures above 100 C;
• the minimum temperature of the earth clod is +5 degrees.

If the plant is kept in warmer conditions in winter, the dormant period will not occur, but summer flowering will be weaker. It is important for areas where the plant is exhibited in tubs for the summer, to observe the regime for the summer riot of color.

Factors to consider when growing and caring for bougainvillea

The plant needs abundant watering with warm soft water. At the same time, waterlogging should not be allowed. Damp soil, especially cold soil, will lead to root rot and plant death.

In the summer, watering depends on the daytime temperature, it is carried out in the morning no more than twice a week when growing bougainvillea outdoors.

Spraying green leaves is beneficial to the plant, but the bracts must remain dry.

In winter, watering is rare, only for a slight preservation of moisture in a coma of earth. You cannot fill the plant.

If bougainvillea in the Moscow region is contained in a container, the transplant is performed with a decrease in growth, which means that the roots do not have enough nutrition.

It is necessary to feed the plants during the growing season with a complex fertilizer, from spring it is necessary to use the mullein effectively. Excess nitrogenous fertilizers can provoke an increase in green mass to the detriment of flowering.

The plant needs diffused light in winter and a bright long day in summer. Direct sunlight is beneficial for bougainvillea, bright diffused light too. Good flowering requires at least 6 hours of direct light.

When planting a tub plant, it is necessary to take into account not only the illumination, but choose a calm place. In drafts, the plant can shed its leaves. It is necessary to install the tub once, you cannot even turn it, changing the direction of the branches. The plant will stop blooming and shed its leaves.

If the weather has turned bad, and according to forecasts, a long bad weather is expected, bougainvillea must be protected from waterlogging by all available means.

Creating man-made beauty with bougainvillea

A single specimen of a tropical flower can delight from one to 10 years under cultivation conditions.

Bougainvillea reaches its maximum decorative effect at the age of 4-5 years. The bushes planted in the ground of the greenhouse from the south are especially beautiful.

In summer they turn into avalanches of flowers. Compositions with different colors are especially beautiful.

There is another way to use the effect of a separate bush with different colors. Initially, several plants are planted in one tub, an intertwined trunk of several vines and a lush multicolored bush are formed by pruning bougainvilleas.

Unusual and mesmerizing with mystery, bonsai from naked bougainvillea. This variety lends itself well to the formation of a trunk. Arches from lianas, pergolas, gazebos, whatever the skillful hands of an artist can do from living material!

How to grow bougainvillea - video

Bougainvillea: home and outdoor care, reproduction

Other decorative flowering

22.12.2017

4 minutes

Bougainvillea (paper flower) is a climbing evergreen shrub belonging to the Niktaginaceae family. In its natural environment, the plant grows in South America. The shrub reaches a height of about 5 m.

It has branching shoots with thorns and slightly pointed oval leaves. Bougainvillea flowers are small, nondescript, milky colored.

They are surrounded by bright, large bracts, the color of which depends on the plant variety.

You can grow bougainvillea at home and outdoors. At the same time, it is planted in the garden only in the southern regions, since the shrub is not frost-resistant.

Many gardeners grow the plant in a container and move it outdoors for the summer.

A feature of bougainvillea is that it can be shaped like a standard tree, shrub or liana by pruning.

Before planting bougainvillea in open ground, you need to choose the optimal place and soil for the plant.

Since the sun's rays do not harm the shrub, it can be planted in a well-lit area.

A slightly alkaline, well-drained, breathable, permeable and dense soil is suitable for planting. Planting garden bougainvillea in open ground is carried out in the spring.

The optimum temperature for keeping a plant in the open field in the summer is from +20 to +25 degrees. In winter, the temperature should not drop below +12 degrees.

It is quite easy to care for a bougainvillea planted on the street. It is necessary to provide the plant with regular watering and timely feeding. It is recommended to water the shrub twice a week, in the morning.

The water should be warm and settled. From the beginning of autumn until the next flowering, the frequency of watering should be reduced. It is advisable to spray the garden bougainvillea, but at the same time try to prevent water from getting on the bracts.

From April to September, bougainvillea has a period of active growth, and at this time it is necessary to feed the plant.

For this, a mineral fertilizer with a high phosphorus content is suitable, which must be applied once every 2 weeks. In the process of planting, humus should be added and continue to feed the plant with it every spring.

Fertilizer should be scattered around the bougainvillea. After applying top dressing, the earth must be loosened.

The bougainvillea pot is recommended to be placed on the southern or eastern windowsill.

In hot summers, it is necessary to shade the plant, as direct sunlight can leave burns on the foliage.

The soil for planting can be purchased at a specialized store or prepared independently from the following components, taken in equal proportions:

• peat;
• sand;
• humus;
• sod land.

Containers for growing indoor bougainvillea must be deep. The optimum temperature range is from +22 to +30 degrees in spring and summer. During the rest period, the temperature should not be allowed to fall below +4 degrees. Planting is recommended in the spring.

Caring for bougainvillea at home means transplanting, timely watering, fertilizing and proper pruning. It is recommended to replant young specimens once every 2 years, and adults - once every 5 years. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the new pot.

Expanded clay or small stones will do. Move the plant into a container filled with soil, water it well and compact the soil slightly.

In order for the indoor bougainvillea to take root faster after transplanting, for several days the container must be rearranged in the shade and stop watering.

Do not allow stagnation of water in the soil. In summer, it is recommended to water the indoor bougainvillea at least 1 time per week.

The water from the pallet must be drained immediately so that the roots do not start to rot. In winter, it is enough to slightly moisten the soil once every 2 weeks.

If the plant has dropped foliage, watering should be completely stopped.

Before winter comes, it is recommended to cut bougainvillea shoots in half. In the spring, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning and remove damaged and twisted shoots. After the plant stops blooming, you need to cut off young shoots and side branches.

It is recommended to feed indoor bougainvillea in the spring and autumn once every 2 weeks. It is advisable to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones.

During flowering, fertilizer should be applied with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.

During the dormant period, bougainvillea grown in an apartment does not need to be fed.

Reproduction of bougainvillea is carried out using cuttings or seeds. Most often they resort to grafting. Plant propagation step by step:

• take a ten-centimeter stalk;
• make an incision over the bud and remove the lower leaves;
• dip the stalk into a growth stimulator for several hours;
• prepare a soil mixture (sand with coal and sphagnum);
• place the branch in the prepared soil at a slight angle;
• maintain the temperature regime in the room (not lower than +20 degrees);
• water the cuttings with a little water and spray them.

The most time consuming method is the seed method. First you need to prepare the soil by mixing peat and sand in equal parts.

Before sowing the seeds, it is advisable to soak them for several hours in a growth stimulator. It is not necessary to deeply bury them in the soil. The container must be covered with something in order to get a mini-greenhouse.

In order for the seedlings to germinate faster, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room within + 25 ... + 30 degrees. From time to time, planting needs to be sprayed and aired.

If reproduction is carried out in the winter, then the seedlings need to be provided with artificial lighting.

Bougainvillea - growing at home

Many flower growers have long been decorating their houses and apartments with flowering plants from the tropics and subtropics, such as fuchsia, orchid, and jasmine.

Bougainvillea, about the care of which we want to talk now, began to appear in our apartments relatively recently. But in vain.

At home, in Brazil, and in other countries with a similar subtropical climate, this flower blooms all year round, the tops of the shoots are constantly covered with flowers with lush, brightly colored bracts.

He is unpretentious, lives among stones, along roads, climbs to a height of many meters on rocks and braids the walls of multi-storey buildings. Some Brazilian species and hybrid bougainvillea varieties have adapted well to life at home.

Bougainvillea care at home

It is known that in the Brazilian homeland, the flower does not have a dormant period and continuously grows and blooms at temperatures above 5 grams. Below 5 gr. the plant may not withstand heat.

In some subtropical regions of the Caucasus, Bougainvillea grows in open ground throughout the year, but even then we recommend covering it in a particularly critical, in terms of temperature, season for preventive purposes.

In central Russia, Bougainvillea is considered a greenhouse plant. It is grown exclusively in houses, greenhouses, greenhouses. She needs space and bright light.

Having adapted to the new conditions of existence, where neither one nor the other is enough, she changed her habits - she does not bloom all year round without a break, has a clear period of rest.

With good care, it can please its owners with bright flowering several times a year. What is included in the concept of "good care", we will now tell you.

Location and temperature of containment

Bougainvillea should be placed on a southern or, in extreme cases, western windowsill, so that natural light in direct sunlight is at least 5 hours a day.

Even from the midday sun it is not worth hiding. This is the main condition for its growth and intense coloration of the perianths during flowering.

With a lack of light, the shoots begin to stretch, the foliage turns pale, and the flowering stops.

The plant does not like drafts, but the room should be ventilated regularly. Make sure that no air flows onto the plant.

In the warm summer, it is useful to take the plant out into the garden, on the veranda or on an open balcony. Find a place there that is sheltered from wind and precipitation.

In winter, the flower will feel good on a glazed and well-insulated loggia, where bright lighting and the temperature does not drop below 10 grams. heat.

Bougainvillea is not very fond of moving from place to place. Especially during the flowering period. A capricious beauty can be offended, especially if the conditions are changed for the worse.

The flower will shed not only flowers, but also leaves.

If you return it to comfortable conditions with optimal temperature and lighting, after a short period of time, the leaves will begin to grow again.

During the period of active growth of the plant, in spring and summer, the temperature in the room should be maintained within 22-25 degrees. During winter dormancy, it is desirable to reduce the temperature to 12-16 grams.

This must be done so that Bougainvillea forms as many flower buds as possible during this period, which will guarantee its abundant flowering in spring.

If you are unable to keep it at low temperatures, then you will have to arrange additional lighting for the flower using a phytolamp or fluorescent lamp for up to 12 hours a day.

Then Bougainvillea will not go away during the dormant period and will bloom weakly. But you will not see lush flowering in summer either.

Air humidity

Bougainvillea loves high humidity habitats. This should be achieved with regular spraying. During flowering, only the surrounding air should be sprayed, and it is better not to touch the flower itself, so as not to hit the bracts with a jet.

At other times, spraying the leaves of Bougainvillea, moreover, on both sides, will only benefit the flower. You can increase the humidity with a container of water installed near the flower pot. You can put the pot itself in a tray on wet pebbles.

You can buy a humidifier and use it.

Watering and spraying should be carried out only with soft, filtered, settled or boiled water.

Watering

Abundant watering of Bougainvillea is required during the period of active growth, in spring and summer. The substrate should be moist, but not wet. Water it after the topsoil is half dry. Usually, this is once or twice a week.

Pour water until it flows through the drain holes and is in the sump.

It will not be superfluous to remember that in nature the flower grows on the stony soil of mountain slopes, and is not adapted to stagnant waterlogging - be sure to drain excess water from the pan.

Reduce watering in autumn, Bougainvillea should prepare for a dormant period. During hibernation, from November to February, watering is minimized.

But it is also impossible to allow complete overdrying of the substrate. It is necessary to water once every 2-3 weeks. The cooler the indoor air, the less often you need to water.

If, during the winter dormancy, the flower has thrown off all the leaves, watering is stopped altogether.

Bougainvillea description care cultivation reproduction photo video

Most of the flowering plants that adorn our apartments and greenhouses come from tropical countries.

Some of them, for example, fuchsia, saintpaulia, hippeastrum, have long been known to a wide circle of florists, others are jasmine, poinsettia, orchid, bromeliads have become popular relatively recently.

The latter includes the southern beauty of tropical origin bougainvillea - at home it is just as effective as in the open field in its historical homeland. The plant got its melodic name Bougainvillea in honor of the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville.

It was he who led the first French round-the-world expedition, in which his compatriot botanist F. Commerson took part. The scientist brought to Europe a plant previously unknown in the countries of the Old World.

Types and varieties

Bougainvillea is common in South America, it is found everywhere in parks, squares and decorates residential buildings. Plants are used to decorate walls, columns, pavilions and gazebos, since their care is quite simple.

The flowers of these lianas are inconspicuous, small, but the adherent leaves of paper texture and various colors are very decorative.

Common types of bougainvillea Bougainvillea is wonderful, or beautiful, - often used in landscape design, as it grows quickly, forming "living walls".The bracts gradually fade, creating smooth transitions and giving the bushes a special charm.

Bougainvillea Peruvian - blooms very long and luxuriantly, but branches poorly. Bougainvillea Butte (a hybrid of naked and Peruvian) is the founder of many modern varieties.

Bougainvillea is smooth - these vines have glossy leaves and colorful bracts, and are often used to create hybrids. At home, two types are most often grown: smooth bougainvillea and wonderful. Terry hybrids are very attractive: bouquets of bright bracts, most often purple, completely cover the foliage during flowering.

Several popular varieties of this plant: Apple Blossom - white-pink bracts; Australian Gold - double bracts, painted in salmon-orange color; Australian Pink - pink bracts, easy maintenance, blooms profusely; Double Red - double bracts, purple; Glabra Variegata - variegated variety, lilac bracts; Mini Thai - bracts are light pink or orange.

Reproduction

Reproduction of bougainvillea, in order to ensure maximum productivity, is best done between May and July.

At home, it is carried out by cuttings or with the help of air layers (both must be green).

How does the breeding process go?

Firstly, an adult plant is taken and cuttings of bougainvillea are cut under the bud.

Secondly, these cuttings are treated with a preparation that accelerates the growth of roots, and all the leaves growing from below are cut off.

Thirdly, plant cuttings in the ground with a special composition. The soil should be composed of sand and peat in equal amounts.

Fourth, the stalk is immersed in the soil up to the 2nd internode and all this is placed under a regular glass jar.

Finally, fifth, constant maintenance of a temperature of 25 ° C, ventilation and spraying of the plant is required. After about a month, you can expect the result - the rooting of the plant.

Another breeding method is using air layers. The stalk, which has not yet hardened, is pressed to the ground, after making a slight incision. With the help of a wire, the layer is fixed in the soil until roots appear there. After that, you can disconnect the young plant from the main one.

Home care

The genus belongs to the family of Nicholas, or Niktaginovs, and is represented by only 15 (according to some sources, 18) species. Of these, only a few are suitable for indoor cultivation.

These are primarily the Brazilian species Bougainvillea glabra and its numerous varieties obtained as a result of the painstaking work of breeders, as well as the wonderful Bougainvillea spectabilis. Some new varieties are distinguished not only by decorative bracts, but by variegated leaves, for example, the Harris naked bougainvillea with cream veins or Sanderana variegated - a creamy strip runs along the perimeter of the leaves.

Bougainvillea Butiana, which tolerates pruning, is no less popular among collectors and florists. The bush can be given almost any shape - a heart, a wreath, a small tree.

Bougainvillea, as a truly tropical plant, loves space and bright light, which is quite difficult to create fully at home. To get a healthy flowering plant, you need to stock up on knowledge and patience.

The best place to keep a light-loving Brazilian is a greenhouse.

There is enough space and a lot of light, it is possible to regulate the air humidity and temperature.

In such conditions, in one season, the shoots give an increase of several meters, reaching three meters in height or length, depending on the method of forming the bush.

In a greenhouse, bougainvillea is usually grown in large containers placed near the south wall. In this case, it is possible to get large, lush specimens.

At home, the southern beauty will feel good on a glazed and insulated loggia, where in winter the temperature is kept within 10 ° C.

In the room, it is best to place it on the southern, at least on the western, window, so that at least 5 hours a day the plant is illuminated by direct sunlight. This is one of the most important conditions for the normal development and flowering of bougainvillea.

With a lack of light, the shoots are strongly stretched, the leaves turn pale, the flowering stops.

In addition, bougainvillea at home is afraid of drafts, so when ventilating the room, you need to ensure that the flow of cold air does not fall on the plant.

It is useful to take small bushes out into the garden, on a terrace or an open balcony for the summer, the main thing is that the place where the plant stands is protected from strong winds.

Bougainvillea pests

Aphids can cause tangible harm from spring to mid-autumn. It is necessary to pay special attention to the spring-autumn period, when pests cause very significant harm to the plant.

Most often, insects can be found on the back of the leaves. They significantly weaken plants by sucking out juices. It is recommended to treat bougainvillea with actellic or nurel solution.

When grown in containers indoors, bougainvillea is attacked by pests. Most often these are mealybugs, aphids and spider mites.

Usually the appearance of pests is the result of improper care of the plant.

The mealybug slows down the growth of the plant, settling on flowers, leaves and buds. Leaves with pests should be removed, and the plant should be washed with a solution of water with insecticidal or laundry soap.

Possible growing problems

Why doesn't bougainvillea bloom at home? Low temperatures and lack of sunshine may be the cause.

Bougainvillea transplant

It is best to transplant bougainvillea at home using the transshipment method.

Its roots are very delicate and brittle, and if damaged, the leaves and bracts of the plant will begin to crumble, and the cuttings may die.

If the bush is watered in advance, then it will be easier to free the earthen lump from the old container. Growing a vine in a pot that is too large increases the risk of flooding and negatively affects its growth and flowering.

If transplanting is required for an adult plant, the new container should be 2-3 cm wider than the previous one. For the cutting, you need to take a small glass, slightly exceeding the volume of the root system.

Tip A tight pot has a positive effect on flowering vines at home

... When transplanting, it is undesirable to deepen the root collar - it can rot. Young bougainvilleas are transplanted every spring, adults - every 3-4 years.

If the plant is in the transport soil, shake it off a little, taking care not to damage the roots. It happens that young bushes or rooted cuttings are in a net that remains from peat tablets - it must be removed.

At the bottom of the container, you need to put a thick layer of drainage, it is advisable to use foam for this purpose, but expanded clay is also suitable.

They take a nutritious substrate, you can make it yourself by mixing the same parts of sand, vermiculite, turf and leafy soil. Bougainvillea likes a neutral to slightly acidic substrate, with a pH of 6.8-7.

You can add several superphosphate granules to it. The next top dressing is not earlier than 3 weeks after transplantation. If you lose turgor, you can spray the vine with a growth stimulant and cover with a bag for 2-3 days, periodically removing it for a few minutes.

Watering, lighting

The most important thing in this paragraph is to remember that bougainvillea, a finicky native of the tropics, loves sunlight very much.

So that she receives a sufficient amount of it, if you live in Russia, then you can place the flower on the windowsill of windows facing south, and in winter - in some dark place.Regular watering is very important, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.

At the same time, excessive overflow should not be allowed: if water remains in the plant pan, it must be drained and the abundant watering should be slightly suspended. It is not difficult at all, but it is very easy to forget to perform this simple action.

Another simple, but loved by bougainvillea flowers, action is spraying.

Using the simplest spray bottle from a flower supply store, spray the plant, because it dries very much due to the heating system, and this can be detrimental to it.

It should also be noted that bougainvillea needs additional feeding: having entered a garden store, you need to purchase a complex of mineral fertilizers suitable specifically for bougainvillea. This complex should be applied once a week, and only in the warm season.

Bougainvillea at home in winter

In winter, bougainvillea will require special care. In winter, in the middle lane, the amount of light is sharply reduced and the plant, accustomed to the tropical sun, begins to feel uncomfortable.

At this time of year, bougainvillea needs to provide a rest period.

To do this, it is transferred to a bright but cool room with a temperature not exceeding 10 ° C (the lower temperature limit is + 5 ° C, at 0 ° C this tropical species dies). Reduce watering.

If the temperature is above 9-10 ° C, then the bougainvillea at home does not go into a dormant period and, with a sufficient amount of light, heat and moisture, blooms in winter.

At the same time, flowering will be weaker, and its quality will sharply decrease next spring. With an increase in the length of the day, the temperature gradually increases and the number of waterings is increased.

Video: tropical bougainvillea, grown at home in Siberia.

Fertilizers and feeding

Fertilized every two weeks with complex mineral and organic fertilizers. These vines have a great need for a nutrient medium.

In a sunny, bright place and with the right fertilization, it will bloom for a long time and abundantly.

These plants are salt tolerant, so a generous fertilization won't be a problem.

Pruning

When caring for home-grown bougainvillea (in pots), annual pruning of the plant is important. In order for the bushes to be decorative next year, in the fall or at the beginning of winter, the shoots are shortened to half the length.

This enhances the growth of the side branches. Spring pruning also has a beneficial effect on the formation of a lush bush. In addition, in the spring, very thin, twisted, poorly located shoots are removed, and branches that are too long are shortened.

In summer, young branches are cut off immediately after flowering, then flowers with bright bracts are again formed on the growing lateral shoots.

It is not recommended to cut off shoots older than 3-4 years, since very few dormant buds awaken on old wood, and new side branches are not formed.

Many bougainvillea varieties are easily formed in the form of a bush, tree, liana, and with the help of pruning and garters to supports, you can create original compositions in the form of a wreath, heart, ball, etc. Plants with different colors of bracts, grown in one pot, look great. In the video: various types and varieties of bougainvillea

Interesting facts about the bougainvillea plant

The flower was named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a navigator, explorer of the Pacific Ocean, who lived in the 18th century and made many geographical discoveries. Not only a flower bears his name, but also some marine geographical objects: a depression, a strait.

Bougainvillea does not like changes very much: the slightest change of scenery can lead to the shedding of leaves and the cessation of growth. But bougainvillea, which is under stable, careful care, thanks its owner for its amazing beauty, abundantly blooming and growing.

According to some beliefs, bougainvillea attracts money to the house, is a symbol of wealth, power, energy and well-being.Some even advise putting a coin in the pot with the plant in order to enhance the beneficial effect.

In fact, what looks like flowers are not flowers at all in bougainvillea. These are bracts, that is, in fact, leaves, and the flowers are in the center.

Raspberry bougainvillea was first discovered only in the 19th century by the Englishwoman Alice Butt.

Bougainvilleas have their own record holders: in Brazil there is a plant whose height exceeds 15 meters, and is two centuries old.

The bougainvillea flower was awarded the title of the official flower of the American city of San Clemente.

Bougainvillea: types (photo of flowers), planting and care

Bougainvillea (lat. Bougainvillea) - ornamental climbing plants belonging to the Noctus family. The birthplace of the flower is South America.

We grow it more often in closed greenhouses and winter gardens. But, having provided bougainvillea with enough space, you can breed it at home.

The popular name of the flower also stuck - "bougainvillea"

The plant responds well to formative pruning, and, thanks to this, it is possible to grow compact bushes, and climbing vines, and small trees.

Bougainvillea stems, reaching a height of 5 m, are covered with sparse thorns along their entire length. Leaves - arranged alternately, green in color, oval in shape.

The flowers are small in size, yellow-white in color, surrounded by 3 bracts of various shapes (round, heart-shaped, triangular). And it is these bracts that give bougainvillea a decorative look.

They can be of different colors (depending on the specific variety) - orange, lilac, pink, cream, snow-white.

The inflorescences are already falling, and the bracts are still opening up the gardener with their festive look - this is what the plant is famous for.

What types of bougainvillea will take root in our difficult climate? What rules should be followed when planting a plant?

Bougainvillea species

Bougainvillea has about 15 species of its kind. In its homeland, in the subtropics and tropics, the plant can bloom all year round.

In Russia, however, it is possible to grow only some of its forms. Moreover, among the varietal variety, you can find both garden and indoor types of bush.

What types of bougainvillea will easily take root in an ordinary grower?

Bougainvillea nude (smooth)

(Bougainvillea glabra). Many experts attribute representatives of this species to indoor plant forms. But in the open field, light and heat-loving liana will grow only in the southern regions of our country. The plant can stretch to a height of 5 m.

Bougainvillea naked is very picturesque with its purple, bright red, pink and snow-white bracts. When optimal growth conditions are created, it will bloom profusely between April and June.

Popular varieties: Sanderiana (Sanderiana, she is shown in the photo), Alexandra.

Bougainvillea Peruvian

(Bougainvillea peruviana). This species is considered the toughest of all others. And it is also notable for the fact that it can bloom 2 times per season if the weather is dry. The stems of the plant are covered with bark.

Leaves are ovoid, thin, elongated. Bracts are round, pink or purple in color, sometimes slightly wrinkled.

Bougainvillea Peruvian together with bougainvillea naked experts used to obtain hybrids that are very popular today.

Bougainvillea is beautiful

(Bougainvillea spectabilis). Under natural conditions, the liana of this species can reach a height of 15 m. There are sparsely planted curved thorns on the shoots. The leaves are pubescent, rather dense, up to 15 cm long.

The color of large bracts is deep red, greenish pink, lilac. With proper care of bougainvillea, beautiful bougainvillea can delight the eye with an abundance of colors from April to mid-autumn.

The most popular among gardeners is the garden form of the Lateritia plant with bright orange-red bracts.

How to plant bougainvillea?

You can't go wrong with choosing bougainvillea to decorate your garden or greenhouse. Growing a vine is easy. But try to find the “right” place for it.

The plant loves warmth and an abundance of light. As for the shaking of the soil, the area where bougainvillea will live should be nutritious, slightly acidic, well-drained.

The best soil substrate is a mixture of humus, turf, sand and peat.

Bougainvillea planting is carried out cuttings and layering... Experienced gardeners agree that the first method is much more effective.
Cuttings begin in the spring. A stalk is cut from a bush along with a bud.

For faster growth, it is treated with special stimulants. The cuttings are then rooted in a nutrient medium (peat + sand). During this period, it is important for the seedling to provide proper care - high temperature (25? C).

And after the cutting has developed a root system, it can be transplanted to a permanent place.

If you decide to plant bougainvillea with layering, then for this you need to make small notches on the not yet lignified stem and bend it to the ground.

In order for the shoot to hold, on both sides of the notch it must be secured with hairpins.

And as soon as roots appear on the stem, it can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted into a pot to form a full-fledged seedling.

Bougainvillea care

Caring for bougainvillea will require some effort - you will have to water and fertilize the plantings regularly.
Lianas grows strongly, and therefore require constant moisture.

It is better to water them with warm water in the morning. The plant should be fed 1-2 times a week from March to the very fall. Use complexes of mineral fertilizers for this.

Lush bougainvillea will need to be trimmed frequently to maintain its decorative appearance. Do this at the beginning of the growing season or after it.

Severely damaged and completely dried branches should be removed from the vines completely, and young ones - only half. It is recommended to transplant bougainvillea every 2-3 years.

But adult specimens can be "held" in one place and longer - up to 5 years.

The good news is that bougainvillea is resistant to disease and pest attacks.

But sometimes she can suffer from the invasion of spider mites, aphids and mealybugs. Inspect the plants frequently to ensure planting is safe.

If there are any signs of damage, alcohol treatment of the vines will help.

Bougainvillea at home - growing, reproduction and maintenance

Decorative flowering

Bougainvillea is a creeping type shrub that grows mainly on the South American continent.

At home, the plant takes its native form of a small tree with its shoots up to 5 meters.

Wild flowers are covered with rare thorns, which act as protectors from animals, helping to cling to the fences and arches near them.

Flower lovers are wary of the beauty from the tropics, believing that this plant needs a lot of care, special conditions. With some knowledge, problems with bougainvillea at home do not arise.

Bougainvillea is a plant that loves open ground on the Black Sea coast, in Turkey, in the Caucasus; but it so happened that in most of Russia it does not hibernate, it grows like a potted culture. When planted in the spring in the ground, the roots will grow, and in the cold season it cannot be transplanted into a pot without damaging it.

Bougainvilleas have many combs, germinate in different ways: some bloom with a bright crimson flower cap, which must be formed during the growth process; other varieties bloom orange along all trunks in height and at the very top of the head (in summer and until the end of September). The stem will eventually stiffen, get stronger and be properly formed for growth.

To maintain a plant, it is required to pay a lot of attention to climatic parameters, on which development directly depends.

The time of active growth of the flower is April-October, when the temperature reaches 22-25 degrees above zero, and at a good time up to 30.

With the onset of cold weather, the plant gradually withers, throws off leaves, flowers, begins a new growth cycle, a flowering period.

If, even in the cold season, the temperature is about 10 degrees, then there is a high probability that the flower will not "hibernate" and will continue to bloom.

Lighting is important. Since bougainvillea naturally grows only in the wild in direct sunlight, it will be very difficult in a poorly lit place.

The best option is to put the flower pot on the south side or on the western windowsill, so that sunlight falls on it for about 5 hours a day.

Lack of light is a direct road to death and withering.

Air humidity. Our tropical dweller is especially sensitive to dry indoor air.

So that there are no problems during cultivation, the air must be regularly humidified, and the leaves of the plant should be wiped with a damp towel and sprinkled with water.

It is important that drops do not fall on the bracts.

It is possible to create good conditions in an apartment or home garden, but taking into account all the nuances and requirements. A conservatory or greenhouse is also a good alternative to the tropical jungle.

To plant bougainvillea, you need to take an ordinary potting soil mixture, which consists of the usual ingredients:

• 1 piece of garden land;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part of humus;
• 1 part coarse river sand;
• Expanded clay, fine gravel.

The capacity is selected at will: a pot, a container, a flowerpot and so on. The plant should not be constrained to grow in order to build up its green mass. That is, for indoor flowers, volumes from two to five liters are suitable, depending on the size of the bush or tree.

When transplanting, it is important to follow the points:

1. 1. The day before transplanting, the flower needs to be watered well so that it can be easily removed from the previous container;
2. 2. Prepare in advance a deep pot, which is at least 5 centimeters larger than the previous one;
3. 3. At the bottom of the new container, pour a layer of drainage from expanded clay and crushed stone;
4. 4. Squeeze the walls of the old pot, take out the bougainvillea, place it in the center of the new container, then squeeze the roots a little, cover with soil and water lightly.

During the growing season, the flower needs to be watered more than usual, but not more often than the top layer of the soil dries out. In the hot season, about twice a week, in the cold - less often.

To avoid stagnant water, the drain pan must be emptied regularly. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature, its settling time should be at least one day.

Mineral fertilizers are a sure way to help a plant grow. Spring and summer are active flowering times, so fertilization is required once every two weeks.

In winter and autumn, once a month will be enough. The amount of fertilizers is indicated on the packaging of the mineral composition, it is prescribed strictly relative to the type of plant.

An apartment or house for bougainvillea is a dangerous habitat, so difficulties are difficult to avoid.

The most important and common problems, ways to solve them.

Problem	Cause	Solution / Treatment
Over time, leaves, flowers and stipules begin to crumble.	Change of position in the house, lack of sunlight	Over time, the flower adapts, it will be covered with a new layer of foliage.
Over time, bright and fresh leaves, bracts crumble	Indoor temperature or humidity is not satisfactory	It is important to solve the problem with the temperature in the apartment. Rearrange flower
Leaves wilt, they turn yellow	A lot of water that stagnates in the ground	Watering should be carried out when the top layer of the soil dries up
Green leaves begin to fall	Little watering	The land must not be allowed to dry completely
Bracts are deformed	Dry air in the room.Proximity to lamps, batteries, etc.	Moisten the plant regularly, remove it from heating appliances
Bracts are especially lethargic and slightly white	Little sunshine	Place the plant as close to the window as possible, where the most sunlight falls
The plant looks very lively, but does not give any flowers, shoots are rare, blooms slowly	The pot is too big. Abundant watering. Few mineral fertilizers.	Transplant into a smaller container, carry out fertilizing processes more often

Growing bougainvillea from seeds in an apartment is not a very simple task. For the implementation of the purposes, cuttings or lateral layers are used. Seeds for propagation are best purchased in specialized stores - this way the growing process will be safer and faster.

In late spring or early summer, the apical cuttings are cut to a length of at least 10 centimeters, using the materials remaining after pruning:

1. 1. Root leaves from cuttings that will be in the ground;
2. 2. Prepare a mixture of earth and other ingredients (peat and sand content 1: 1);
3. 3. Treat the cuttings with a special rooting stimulant;
4. 4. Cover the cuttings in the substrate under a hood;
5. 5. Use heating for fast rooting.

Bougainvillea is a beautiful plant from hot Brazil, a perennial flower that strikes with bright bracts. For our latitudes, it is unusual, therefore it is important to take into account all the features and requirements in order to create a suitable climate, close to the natural one.

Garden bougainvillea is a shrub with a branched stem and climbing shoots. The plant is quite rare in gardens, which is associated with some difficulties in growing.

It is valued for its abundant flowering, beautiful and bright bracts, which are purple, lilac, white, orange in color and of various shapes. The culture is widespread bougainvillea wonderful and smooth. Liana reaches a height of more than 10 meters. Indoor bougainvillea is compact in size; the plant is grown in pots in regions with cold climates. Garden bougainvillea reaches its peak of decorativeness 4-5 years after planting.

Care and cultivation of garden bougainvillea

The plant is suitable for growing outdoors, but only in regions with warm climates. For normal development and abundant flowering, the plant needs sunlight and warmth. Prefers to grow in sunny and wind-protected places. Fertile, well-drained soils are preferred.

Bougainvillea is watered abundantly, but moisture is not allowed to stagnate. By autumn, watering is reduced and gradually stopped.

Mineral fertilizers with phosphorus content are applied 3-4 times a month from April to September. Organic fertilizers, such as humus, are applied at planting, as well as in the spring. Humus is poured around the bush, then the soil is slightly loosened.

Garden bougainvillea requires reliable support if grown as a climbing plant.

In the spring, pruning of shoots is carried out, stimulating the growth of lateral shoots. In the summer, formative pruning is carried out, long or excess shoots are pruned. In the fall, the tops of the shoots are pruned, as well as last year's shoots (by half). If necessary, the plant can be shaped like a standard tree or a lush bush.

It hibernates in the open field, tolerates temperature drops to 0 ... + 5 degrees. Varieties with white bracts are less resistant to frost.

Reproduction of bougainvillea garden

The plant is propagated by cuttings, which are cut from young semi-lignified shoots in late May - early June. Cuttings 10 cm long are first placed in warm water, after 2-3 hours the cuttings are treated with a root formation stimulator. Then the cuttings are planted in a soil mixture of sod and leafy soil, peat and sand. The cuttings are rooted at temperatures above +25 degrees, in a bright place under a glass jar or plastic bag.Water the cuttings sparingly as the soil dries out. Roots are formed within one month.

Reproduction by layering is possible. To do this, semi-lignified shoots are cut in several places and pinned to the ground, so that the cut sections of the shoot are in contact with the ground. Layers are watered regularly. The next spring or fall, the cuttings are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.

Usage

Bougainvillea garden is suitable for landscaping the walls of the house, gazebos, awnings, arches. Its shoots tightly braid the support, the flowering plant looks very impressive and amazes with its beauty.

In regions with cold climates, the plant is grown in pots, which are brought out into the fresh air in summer and kept indoors in winter. Garden bougainvillea is ideal for greenhouses, winter gardens.

Diseases and pests

May suffer from aphids, spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Excess moisture can cause leaves to fall off and buds to drop.

Bougainvillea garden in photographs

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 thorny 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 living conditions that differ from natural ones. 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 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.

Most often, planting is practiced 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 lightweight 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 this must be strived for. 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 the earthen lump, but simply transfer the plant into 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, summer semi-lignified cuttings, cut in June, are used. 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. At the point 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, you can separate the young plant.

Propagation by cuttings and layering makes it possible to preserve the variety of the plant. Layers are more likely to take root, 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-lasting 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:

• a decrease in 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.