Bougainvillea

Jasmine, fuchsia and orchid - these inhabitants of the tropics and subtropics, once seemingly perfect exotic, have long taken root in many homes. But for a flower like bougainvillea flower growers started not too long ago.

Bougainvillea: flower description

In its natural environment, the Bougainvillea flower is most commonly found in South America. In nature, the plant develops in the form of a shrub, or a small tree, up to 5 meters high. Due to the warm climate, close to the subtropics, the plant does not have periods of rest, all year round, lush, spreading bushes look very bright and impressive. At home, Bougainvillea grows everywhere. The shrubbery can be seen among the rocks, along the trails. And in cities, he easily climbs the sheer walls of various buildings.

The attractiveness of the plant is not created by flowers at all, they are so small that they are practically invisible. It's all about the numerous bracts, which have a bright, rich color.

The climatic conditions of most regions of Russia do not allow growing Bougainvillea in the open field, since the plant dies even at an air temperature of -5 degrees. The exception is some regions of the Caucasus, the climate of which is closest to the subtropical. Therefore, we, Bougainvillea, is exclusively a houseplant. Also, the shrub is often grown in greenhouses and, of course, botanical gardens. In indoor conditions, the plant experienced a lack of light, as a result, over time, indoor Bougainvillea ceased to bloom year-round. However, when creating conditions close to the natural growing environment for the plant, the Bougainvillea flower will bloom up to several times during the year.

By the way, Bougainvillea is not one plant, but a whole genus. The genus got its name in honor of Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who led the first French round-the-world expedition.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

Growing Bougainvillea at home and caring for it

For home bougainvillea, the most illuminated place in the room is suitable. For example, windows, south or west side. The minimum time during which Bougainvillea should be in direct sunlight is at least 5-6 hours. The scorching sun will not harm this thermophilic plant. Only with sufficient lighting can one expect normal growth, characterized by the formation of a large number of bracts and their bright color. Otherwise, the shoots will stretch, and the leaves with bracts will begin to lose color and the Bougainvillea indoor flower will completely lose its decorative effect.

The room or other area in which the plant is located should be regularly ventilated. And, if the plant is not harmed by direct sunlight, then direct air currents, and even more drafts, are contraindicated for it. In summer, it is better to place the plant on an open veranda, terrace or balcony, trying to avoid places that are blown through and not protected from precipitation. For the winter, the bungewill can also be left on the balcony, provided that it is insulated and equipped with fluorescent lamps.

The plant does not tolerate frequent movements from one place to another, reacting to them with a slowdown in growth. At the slightest change in its usual temperature or degree of illumination, an indoor Bougainvillea flower can throw off both foliage and bracts.In this case, the plant should be immediately returned to its original place and, after a while, it will recover.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

If the plant spends spring and summer indoors, then the optimal air temperature in it should not exceed +25 degrees.

Winter is a dormant period for the bush. At this time, it is recommended to transfer the plant to a room where the air temperature will constantly be at + 16 degrees. Such conditions will contribute to the formation of more flower buds, and, therefore, more lush flowering. When such an opportunity is absent and the flower hibernates in the warmth, it should be supplemented, providing 12 hour daylight hours. Then, a period of rest for him will not come and, after a while, some flowers will appear. At the same time, having spent energy on a modest winter flowering, in summer the plant will also not be able to bloom in full force.

For the normal development of indoor bougainvillea, it is required to maintain high humidity. For these purposes, the plant is regularly sprayed. However, this must be done correctly. So, during flowering, moisture should be excluded from the plant. When the flowering ends, spraying the foliage will only be beneficial to the home flower of Bougainvillea.

Maintaining the desired humidity level is possible in another way. For example, fill a wide container with water and place it next to the plant. Also, you can pour wet pebbles or pebbles into the pallet, and already set a pot with a plant on them. And, of course, a humidifier is ideal for these purposes. Both for spraying a plant and for watering it, only filtered and well-settled water is suitable.

The soil in the container with the plant should always be moderately moist. The flower should be watered with such a volume of water that it begins to seep through the drainage holes. Then, the accumulated water must be poured out, since the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture well. In the summer, when the bungewillia actively begins to grow, it is necessary to moisten the soil immediately, as soon as the top layer dries up. And in the fall, the plant begins to prepare for the winter dormant period, gradually reducing the number and volume of watering. In winter, bougainvillea is watered no more than once every 14-20 days. However, it is important not to allow the soil to dry out in the pot. Indeed, in winter it is rather hot and dry in the room due to the constant operation of heating devices.

Timely fertilization is also the key to lush and long-lasting flowering. Top dressing is carried out regularly, starting in spring, capturing the periods of budding and flowering. For faster assimilation of fertilizers by the plant, they are advised to be applied in liquid form. For feeding, complexes of mineral fertilizers containing iron, potassium and phosphorus are suitable. These elements will stimulate the formation of buds, as well as promote long and lush flowering. It is important not to be zealous with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, their excess will negatively affect the flowering of the plant.

For growing room Bougainvillea, a high-quality soil mixture, moisture-absorbing and breathable, is suitable. In specialized stores, you can buy ready-made soil for flowering plants, however, the level of soil acidity should not exceed -6.0. The soil mixture can be compiled independently, using one part of river sand, two parts of sod soil and the same amount of humus. Baking agents such as wood ash or vermiculite can be added as additives to the resulting mixture. In addition, the soil must be disinfected before planting the plant. For this, the soil mixture is poured in boiling water or steamed. Also, in order to destroy pathogenic microorganisms that cause disease of the root system of the plant, the soil should be shed with a solution of biological fungicides.After the processing of the soil mixture, it must be allowed to dry.

When choosing a container for growing Bougainvillea at home, it should be borne in mind that it should be slightly larger than an earthen coma with a root system. Too large a pot or flowerpot will promote the growth of the root system and green mass, while flowering will be weak. In addition, growing roots takes time, and until then, moisture can stagnate in places that have not been mastered by roots, which will lead to a rapid acidification of the soil. Therefore, experts recommend stopping the choice on rather high and, at the same time, not wide containers.

Also, before planting Bougainvillea, it is necessary to pour a drainage layer into the container, the thickness of which should be at least 3 cm. For these purposes, expanded clay, small pebbles, and also pieces of foam are suitable.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

Transplanting and pruning Bougainvillea

Young houseplants Bougainvillea are recommended to be replanted annually. This is primarily due to the active growth of Bougainvillea at the initial stage. So, when growing a bush in a greenhouse, in one year the size of the plant can increase by 2-3 meters. In addition, regular transplants will maintain the nutritional value of the soil mixture, because as the plant grows, more nutrients are required.

Mature bougainvillea bushes should not be transplanted frequently. After this procedure, the plant may not bloom for some time, as well as shed foliage. Therefore, the transplant of the bushes is carried out by transferring the plant into a larger pot, trying, if possible, not to damage the roots.

When transplanting a home flower Begenvillia into a new planting container, it should be remembered that the root collar cannot be buried; after planting, soil filling and watering, it must be at the soil level. The soil should not be tamped, at the same time voids should be avoided, especially in the area of ​​the root system. The transplanted plant is watered and then transferred to a shaded room for several days. So, Bougainvillea adapts faster and begins to take root. After a specified time, the bush is returned to its original place.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

It is recommended to transplant Bougainvillea in early spring, after the end of the dormant period and the beginning of the growth of the bush.

The branches of the plant, especially those that bloom, are of considerable weight and require support, therefore, when transplanting, it is necessary to take care of the installation of supports in advance so as not to injure the plant again.

The flower buds of the bougainvillea indoor flower lays in the winter. The flowering of the bush begins in May, at this time a lot of opened inflorescences, surrounded by bright bracts, form a beautiful bouquet. The bush is so lush that in its mass, the green foliage is practically invisible. Indoors, with proper care, the plant will bloom throughout the spring and summer, and sometimes, flowering can last until November.

Bracts may differ in shape and color, depending on the variety. They can be pink, purple, purple, or lilac. The most decorative are varieties with several double bracts. The flowers of bougainvillea are very small, and the cream color makes them almost invisible against the background of bright and large bracts. In addition, the flowers fade and fall off rather quickly. At the same time, bracts can stay on the bush for up to several months, keeping its attractive appearance. For greater decorativeness, you can plant a couple of plants of different varieties in one pot, for example, bougainvillea with white and pink bracts. Over time, the branches and trunks of plants will intertwine more and more, forming one incomparable bush, white-pink color.

Another procedure that contributes to the lush and long-lasting flowering of Bougainvillea is its correct and timely pruning. In addition, pruning allows you to shape the plant into the correct shape. This procedure is carried out several times during the year. Early in the spring, cut off weak and dried branches, as well as those that have damage. In the summer, wilted and lost inflorescences are removed in a timely manner. Autumn pruning is perhaps the most time consuming. So, after the bracts wilt, it shortens young shoots by about one third, leaving six or eight buds on each of them. Branches growing in the wrong direction, or thickening the crown, are cut to the very base. Adult branches that are not recommended to touch for more than three years, since this will not bring a visible effect, while the plant will receive severe damage. In the autumn, formative pruning can also be carried out. So, Bougainvillea can be formed in the form of a multi-stem bush, or, leave long vines to fix them on a support, giving the shape of various shapes. In addition to trellises, various curly frames can be used as a support for vines. During the flowering period of Bougainvillea, such compositions look very impressive and, no doubt, can become the main decoration of a garden or park. At the same time, it is important to remember that as a result of pruning, the required number of buds of the new season should remain on the shoots. Those buds that are formed on old branches rarely wake up, as a result, young shoots may not appear on such shoots at all.

The Bougainvillea indoor flower looks very decorative, resembling a bonsai in its shape - a tree with several shoots and one trunk. To form such a tree, no more than three branches are left on the plant. This shape should be maintained for a long time, so that the bush becomes woody and begins to resemble a tree. Then, they cut off the main, central branches and wait for the tree to start growing young shoots. During this period, their growth is controlled. Long branches are pruned and pinched, excess shoots are removed and given the right direction to those branches that have begun to grow in the wrong direction. For these purposes, a simple wire is often used, which is easy to remove after lignification of the shoots. For the dormant period of Bougainvillea, its formation is suspended. During this time, the plant will release young branches on which flower buds will appear. And in early spring, lush and beautiful inflorescences will appear on the tree.

Sometimes, such a tree has bare shoots, which spoil its decorative appearance. To restore attractiveness to the plant, cuttings cut from the crown of the same bush can be grafted onto these shoots. Young green shoots are chosen for cutting cuttings. Carefully, trying not to damage the buds, all the leaves are cut from the cuttings. Then they determine the place of inoculation and, using a drill, carefully make a hole corresponding to the diameter of the cutting. As a rule, the cutting takes root rather quickly and, soon, the decorative appearance of the plant will be restored. It is important to prevent damage to the buds located on the handle, especially those located near the trunk. Further, the plant needs to ensure timely watering. It is not recommended to move it to other places and in any way change its location.

With the help of grafting, you can also change the color of the bracts, giving the plant an even more interesting look. To do this, on a bush with pink bracts, you can graft a stalk of a plant that has, for example, white bracts. It should be noted that this procedure is not difficult at all. It is necessary to take a sharp cutting tool, pre-processed, and make a small incision on the side of the rootstock - the plant that is being grafted. Then, cut the scion from another plant.One side of the scion is carefully grinded and carefully set into the rootstock incision. The scion can be fixed with ordinary medical glue, for example, such as BF-6, or with a simple plaster. You can remove such retainers no earlier than after a few months.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

Bougainvillea breeding methods

Of the existing methods of propagation of Bougainvillea, cuttings are the simplest and, at the same time, quite effective. Cuttings are harvested at the very beginning of summer, and for cutting them, semi-lignified branches from among those that do not bloom, or grow in the wrong direction, and also thicken the crown, are quite suitable. For growing bougainvillea cuttings, a mixture made up of equal parts of peat and sand is suitable. Before planting the cuttings in the substrate, their lower cut should be treated with a preparation that stimulates root formation. The plantings are covered using film, plastic bottles and other transparent containers. In order for the cuttings to root more easily, the soil must be constantly moistened, and the air temperature in the room must not fall below +25 degrees. The seedlings must be constantly ventilated, removing the shelters for several hours. Bougainvillea cuttings take root for a long time - at least one and a half, two months. After signs of active growth become visible, the shelters are removed, and the rooted stalk is transplanted into another, more spacious container. In order not to damage the root system during transplantation, the cuttings are removed along with a lump of earth. This procedure will not cause difficulties if, at the initial stage, the cuttings were planted in plastic cups, which can be simply cut during transplantation without injuring the roots of the plant. Grow seedlings in a well-lit place, but at an air temperature not exceeding +20 degrees. Plants will quickly release young shoots, when their length reaches 5 cm, pinching is carried out. When the roots have completely absorbed the volume of soil with which the pot is filled, the plant is again transplanted into a larger container, about 10-12 cm in diameter. At the bottom of the pot, it is necessary to make a drainage layer, since the plant needs abundant watering at first. At the same time, the liquid collecting in the pan must not be forgotten to drain.

Cuttings can also be harvested in late February or early March, it is only important that after cutting each one has at least two buds. Those leaves that are located at the bottom of the cutting are removed completely, the upper ones are cut in half. This action will help to reduce the evaporation of moisture from the leaves, which is necessary for the cuttings for faster rooting. Then, the prepared cuttings are placed in water for a day, where a drug that stimulates root formation has also been previously added. Subsequent actions for planting and growing cuttings are carried out in accordance with the above procedure.

Air layering is another easy way to propagate bougainvillea. In this way, the plant can be propagated throughout the year. First you need to prepare a seedling pot, a plastic glass or other small container and fill it with moist soil. Then, on the bush, a young, non-lignified shoot is selected and several notches are made on it. Further, the shoot is carefully bent to the surface of the soil with which the container is filled. It is important that the notched area is adjacent to the soil, since it is in this place that roots will form. As soon as the layer takes root, it is separated from the mother plant and planted in a large container.

Bougainvillea is propagated by seeds, however, this method is the longest and most laborious. In addition, unlike the previous options, in this case there is no complete certainty that the result will grow a bush of exactly the variety that you expected to see.After all, it is known that seeds, unlike cuttings and cuttings, do not always fully adopt the qualities and properties of the mother plant. And it is impossible to obtain seed material of plants grown indoors, since pollination in this case is absent.

Sowing seeds of Bougainvillea room produce in the period from late February to mid-April. Store-bought seed must be processed first. First, the seeds should be checked for germination, for which they are placed in water for a while. Those seeds that have surfaced are discarded, the remaining seeds are immersed in a solution of any of the drugs that stimulate growth for 2-3 hours. For growing seedlings, a soil mixture made up of sand, fertile soil, and peat mixture is suitable. All components are mixed in equal parts. If it is not possible to make a mixture on your own, then you can completely do with purchased soil for flowering plants. In any case, it is important to spill the soil with a solution of a biological fungicide in order to avoid infection of plants with root rot, which can destroy young weak seedlings. The prepared soil is poured into a seedling container and moistened. Seeds are sown at a distance of two or three centimeters from each other, burying into the soil no more than half a centimeter. At the end of sowing, the container is covered with glass or foil. Then, you have to be patient, because bougainvillea seeds will germinate for a long time. So the first shoots can be seen no earlier than two or three months later. During this time, the seedlings should be in a room where the air temperature does not drop below +26 degrees. In addition, crops require constant ventilation. Watering should be done only with settled water at room temperature. As soon as the seeds hatch and the seedlings appear on the soil surface, the shelter is removed. So that the seedlings do not stretch out, and the young plants get stronger and take root, they are supplemented with light.

When three true leaves appear, the seedlings dive in separate containers. After rooting and the beginning of an active build-up of green mass, they can be planted in more spacious pots, on the bottom of which drainage must be poured in advance. Follow-up care is carried out in the same way as for adult plants.

What if the bougainvillea is not blooming?

Quite often, the reason that the Bougainvillea flower cultivated indoors does not bloom is due to improper care of it.

For example, if in the winter the plant was not provided with the proper temperature regime, then as such it did not have a rest period. The bush was unable to fully regain strength and lay flower buds.

Also, the plant might not get enough sunlight, since the length of daylight hours in Bougainvillea is quite long. When the bush is planted in a very large container, the roots of the plant simply do not have time to master the entire volume of the soil. In the summer, during a period of active growth, Bougainvillea lacked lighting and heat. The amount of top dressing, or the amount of fertilizer applied, was insufficient.

If all the conditions were met, but the inflorescences have not formed, you can try to make the Bougainvillea bloom. First, feeding is completely stopped, then the number of watering is reduced. This care continues until the flower buds appear on young shoots. And as soon as they begin to form, it is necessary to immediately resume feeding and restore the previous volume of watering the plant.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

Signs of Bougainvillea plant disease

Bougainvillea is a plant that is quite resistant to various diseases.However, improper care can also weaken its immunity, causing diseases or deterioration of the plant's condition, which will result in a decrease in decorativeness.

So, for example, when a Bougainvillea flower sheds its leaves before the beginning of winter, this is the natural state of the plant, due to the preparation with a fast dormant period. And if the foliage falls off in another period, then, most likely, the bush thus reacts to a change in its usual environment. This can be a change of location, exposure to adverse factors such as drafts or insufficient lighting. The shedding of foliage can be observed in only the acquired plant. This is also due to the stress caused by the change in his usual conditions. To restore its decorative effect, you just need to provide it with proper and timely care. This phenomenon can also be observed when, after the summer period, the container with the plant is brought back into the room. Over time, the plant adapts and regains its green mass.

If the bright foliage becomes faded, then the plant is probably affected by chlorosis. The cause of this disease may be a lack of iron and other essential elements. You should immediately carry out top dressing with the appropriate complexes of mineral fertilizers.

When the surface of the leaves begins to become covered with white spots, then, most likely, the reason for their appearance is stagnant moisture and irregular ventilation of the room. To correct the situation, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the airing, and also slightly reduce the watering of the plant. The affected foliage should be removed.

Excessive watering, soil acidification and lack of oxygen in the root system can cause yellow foliage. Quite often, this phenomenon can be observed in winter. It is necessary to temporarily reduce the amount of irrigation, stop fertilizing. It's good if the plant is at rest for some time.

When the bush begins to fade, it is advised to treat it with a growth stimulant, then cover it and, for a couple of days, transfer it to a shaded room. In this case, the plant should be regularly ventilated.

Bougainvillea plant: photo of an indoor flower

If the home flower Bougainvillea has stopped growing, it is likely that the capacity has become small for its well-developed root system. The volume of the pot or flowerpot does not allow it to grow further. To resume growth, you just need to transplant the bush into a larger container.

Sometimes, a plant stops developing due to its age, for example, upon reaching 10 years. Its branches become woody and inflorescences are not formed. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the cultivation of new planting material in a timely manner.

Another reason for the wilting of Bougainvillea can be damage from root rot. To save the plants, you will have to completely pull it out of the container, free the root system from the soil and remove the damaged roots. Then, the bush is placed in a biological fungicide solution for a while. The entire crown must be treated with the same solution, this will help the plant to quickly overcome the action of pathogenic microorganisms, which are the causative agents of root rot. Further, the roots are dusted with wood ash and the plant is planted in a new soil mixture, previously spilled with a solution of the same fungicide.

The appearance of pests on Bougainvillea is quite rare. A sign that the plant is attacked by insects - pests can be a white bloom on the foliage or a barely noticeable cobweb. In some cases, for example, if a bush infects aphids, the leaves become sticky and lose their brightness. In order to control pests, plants are abundantly watered with a rain solution prepared using garlic, wood ash, liquid or laundry soap.In case of severe damage to the bush by pests, it is necessary to immediately use insecticidal preparations, such as Fitoverm, Aktara. In this case, the processing should be carried out repeatedly. Before starting the treatment, it is important to carefully read the instructions for use of the drug and do not forget about protective measures, especially when spraying is carried out in a closed room.

It should be noted that Indoor Bougainvillea at home is successfully grown by many growers, responding to proper care and attention with lush and long flowering.

Bougainvillea flower at home: useful video