Bougainvilleas shine impressively when they are in full bloom. Find out important tips about buying and caring for the bougainvillea here.
Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea) are not only known as magnificent and decorative plants in warmer countries, but are also enjoying growing popularity in this country. The exotic flower, which botanically belongs to the miracle flower family (Nyctaginaceae), is only kept in tubs in contrast to its place of origin in Germany. Buying a bougainvillea is still worthwhile in any case. We will show you how you can grow the colorful blooming flower in your garden and what points you need to consider.
Bougainvillea: characteristics and origin
Bougainvillea is a genus that includes a large number of species. Originally native to South America, it is valued as an ornamental plant in many areas of the world, although it only thrives outdoors in tropical to subtropical areas. A characteristic feature of the plant are the constantly shining bracts, which, like the poinsettia, are often mistaken for the flowers of the plant. In fact, the actual flowers above the bracts are rather inconspicuous with their white-yellowish color and small size. Bougainvillea is typically characterized by three bracts per flower and three flowers on an inflorescence, which has also earned it the name of the "triplet flower".
Bougainvillea spectabilis: The beautiful bougainvillea
A particularly popular type of bougainvillea is the Brazilian Bougainvillea spectabilis with its bright bracts. In addition to the classic variety with pink-violet flowers, there are also those with white or yellow-orange bracts. While the exotic grows wild in Amazonia, the shrub form is perfect for cultivation in a bucket in this country.
Buying Bougainvillea: Valuable Tips
To give your garden a southern touch, buying a bougainvillea is definitely a good choice. Be sure to pay attention to the following aspects when buying:
- Type: Usually only bougainvilleas of the species Bougainvillea glabra are sold in garden centers its pink-purple bracts and a climbing habit.
- When: It is best to buy your bougainvillea in spring or early summer, so that the purchase is worthwhile for the summer. In addition, you generally have a larger selection of varieties during this period, while buying them could be difficult during the winter months.
- He alth: When you buy it, be sure to check the whole plant and the soil for pests or diseases. Buying a diseased bougainvillea can also infect other plants in your home, so always keep an eye on the quality of the seedlings.
Planting Bougainvillea: Instructions
Once you have bought a bougainvillea, it should be repotted straight away. Because the exotic plant is considered fast-growing and therefore requires a large bucket as a planter. In the following, we will show what you need to look out for when planting Bougainvillea.
What is the right location for a bougainvillea?
With its tropical background, it's no wonder that the bougainvillea is extremely warmth-loving. A very sunny and sheltered place in the garden is therefore ideally suited for the exotic species. Depending on the size, it can also make sense to provide a climbing aid. As a rule, a place directly on the wall of the house is perfect, as it is both warm and protected there.
Which substrate for a bougainvillea?
Bougainvilleas are generally quite easy-care plants and do not make very many demands on the soil. Make sure the substrate is permeable and free of peat. Our Plantura organic potting soil meets these requirements perfectly and also contains all the necessary nutrients for the bougainvillea.
When planting the Bougainvillea you should consider these points:
- Large bucket with sufficient volume
- Warm, bright and sheltered place in the garden (e.g. on the wall of the house)
- High quality and peat-free organic potting soil
Bougainvilleamaintain: fertilize, cut and Co.
The care of bougainvillea is not a science, but even with the tropical plant some aspects from watering to fertilization to pruning must be considered.
Watering Bougainvillea Properly
Regular watering of a bougainvillea is important so that the plant can grow properly, especially in summer. Water is also a crucial factor for flowering - so ideally keep the substrate consistently moist. In addition to severe drought, overwatering should also be avoided to prevent root rot. In winter, turn down watering during hibernation so the soil doesn't get too wet.
Fertilize bougainvillea properly
Bougainvilleas delight every garden owner with their lush flowers, which can last for several months. The basic requirement for the splendor of flowers from early summer is optimal care of the bougainvillea throughout the summer. In addition, the strong growth of the plant can be promoted. For fertilization, compost should be added to the bucket before planting and repeated with each repot. In addition, the use of an organic liquid fertilizer is recommended. Our Plantura organic flower & balcony fertilizer is simply added to the irrigation water and ensures particularly magnificent and beautiful flowers.
Cutting bougainvillea skillfully
A bougainvillea can become very sprawling in one summer, so the bougainvillea can be cut at several times of the year. The most important cut of the year should always be carried out in spring before the leaves sprout. At this point, use scissors where branches have grown more sprawling over the past year and reshape the bougainvillea. Depending on the growth, a slight pruning during the summer can also be useful to prune the plant a little. Finally, pruning before moving to winter quarters is common to keep the plant compact. Pruning bougainvilleas not only ensures a more compact growth, but also encourages the plant to develop new shoots and thus flowers.
The following aspects should be considered when caring for the bougainvillea:
- Moderate, organic fertilization in summer
- Regular watering, especially during flowering
- Heavier pruning in spring; easy pruning in summer and before wintering
Bougainvillea: hardy or not?
Bougainvillea do not have a high tolerance for cold temperatures and certainly not for frost due to their origin in the tropical regions of South America. Overwintering outside of a winter quarters is therefore not possible in Germany and would lead to the death of the plant. Proper overwintering of the bougainvillea is therefore essential in order to be able to enjoy the exotic species for many years.
Successfully overwinter Bougainvillea
The selection of a suitable location is important for the correct overwintering of the bougainvillea. This should have the following criteria:
- Temperature between 10 and 15 °C
- Bright place
- Not too cold floor
During autumn, the bougainvillea loses its foliage just like our native deciduous trees. But don't worry: This is by no means a sign of improper care, but a completely natural process. From March you can slowly acclimate the bougainvillea to an outdoor location again, as long as no more frosts are to be expected.