How to handle the newly purchased bougainvillea
This article provides detailed experience on how to care for bougainvillea at home, how to handle the newly purchased bougainvillea, let's take a look together!
Many flower friends ask how to handle the newly purchased bougainvillea. If it is bought from Taobao, it usually comes with an instruction manual. Here we also briefly mention the key points of care: newly planted seedlings should avoid prolonged exposure to rain, as it can cause root rot. Seedlings should not be kept out of the sun for long periods, and it is not recommended to keep them in the shade during the acclimatization period (partial shade is sufficient).
In order to achieve the effect of full branches and blooming all over the tree, it is recommended to prune the branches more during the summer growing period, leaving two leaves on each branch during each pruning. After September, it is the blooming period, and if you want to see flowers, you can prune less. After the flowers, the parts of the branches that have bloomed should be cut off to promote the growth of new buds.
Bougainvillea grows vigorously, so it is recommended to apply a compound fertilizer every ten days or so, either by sprinkling it on the surface of the pot or by diluting it in water. Usually, about 20 pellets per pot are enough. During the blooming period, you can increase the application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, either by spraying it on the leaves or watering it into the soil. For potted bougainvillea that has been in the same pot for more than two years, the soil on top of the pot may become compacted, preventing water from being absorbed and causing a lack of trace elements. This can lead to the leaves curling inwards and the plant not growing. It is necessary to replace most of the soil and cut off most of the old, vitalityless branches.
Watering should either not be done at all, or it should be done thoroughly. It is important to water thoroughly and to gradually master the amount and timing of watering. Bougainvillea is usually kept outdoors or on balconies because of the strong sunlight and ventilation, so the potting soil dries up easily. Watering should be based on the specific situation. Many people water at fixed times and amounts, which is incorrect. To generally determine if a plant is lacking water, you can look at the top buds. If the top buds do not look vigorous during the midday or in strong sunlight, it indicates a lack of water. Watering should be thorough, and it is best to do it between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. when the sun is strongest, ensuring that the seedlings are vigorous throughout the day. Many people like to water in the evening, but this is not good. Watering in the evening makes it difficult for the moisture to dry, causing poor root respiration, and by noon, the water has already evaporated, which can lead to the leaves not being vigorous and the plant being unable to perform normal photosynthesis throughout the day.
In the summer, due to high evaporation, more watering is needed. In the winter, the wind can make the soil dry easily, while in the spring, less water is needed. In northern closed balconies, it is important to ensure that the potting soil is not too wet for extended periods in the winter and to water only when it is slightly dry. There is also another situation: if the potting soil is wet and the temperature is normal, but in the morning you find that the top buds of the plant are not vigorous, it indicates that there is积水 at the bottom of the pot, too much watering, or the soil is too dense and not permeable to water and air, causing root rot. In such cases, you should control the water, increase the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, or change to a loose and breathable growing medium.
The above is a detailed explanation of how to handle the newly purchased bougainvillea (care points). I hope this article can provide you with help in green plant management!