Multiple factors -- most of which are the result of human mistakes -- can cause bougainvillea to not produce its colorful bracts. If you bring your potted bougainvillea indoors for the winter, consider placing it in a cool, dark spot in your house, such as an unheated room where lights aren't turned on at night. How to Make Bougainvillea Bloom. To get the most blooms from a bougainvillea, the plant needs full sun or at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Bougainvilleas generally respond well to pruning too. Deeply soak garden-planted bougainvilleas so that the soil is moist but not oversaturated. How to Make Bougainvillea Bloom Location and Frost Protection. In zone 8, plants that die to the ground due to frost usually return in spring to bloom again if they're heavily mulched and watered only sparingly. Known for their colorful blooms, the bougainvillea's true flowers are small, whitish and insignificant. Bougainvillea produces flowers throughout the year and, where it is perennial, produces spectacular color in late fall or very early spring when nights and days are approximately equal in length. Ideally, prop the protective covering up using stakes or a frame so it doesn't touch the plant and remove the covering during the day. When Do I Bring My Bougainvillea Plant Inside? These colorful plants hail from an arid region of the world and, as such, thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. If your plant isn't blooming even in summer, you may need to dig it up and move it to a sunnier spot in your garden. If your vine is in a pot, consider moving it to a better, more sunlit location to improve its blooming capabilities. Cut off suckers at the base of the plant to encourage more growth at the top. If you need to severely prune the plant to reduce its size, wait until after it finishes blooming in late fall or prune in spring after the last frost but before new buds form. Cut off vigorous shoots as they will stunt the growth of other parts of the plant, and pinch. Carefully read and follow the product label for application procedures and amounts. The genus Bougainvillea contains several species, although only three are horticulturally important: Bougainvillea spectabilis, Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea peruviana. of the soil feel dry to the touch. Bougainvilleas need a resting or dormant period to be at their best during the summer growing season. Because much of the problem with bougainvillea blooming is at the fault of the gardener, the University of Florida IFAS Extension encourages bougainvillea owners to error on the side neglecting the plant rather than fussing over it. Lundman belongs to numerous gardening groups, tends her home garden on 2/3 acre and volunteers with professional horticulturists at a 180 acre public garden where she lives on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. is their colorful flowers, which are actually modified leaves, called bracts, that encircle their small, white true flowers. This is unlike many plants that prefer moist soil and a regular watering schedule. Wear long sleeves and heavy gardening gloves when pruning bougainvilleas or moving the plants from one spot to another and avoid placing them near walkways or places where children and pets play. The plants produce more flowers when the roots are slightly crowded in the pot, so consider repotting if your plant is on the small side and your pot is very large. Container bougainvilleas that grow indoors all or part of the time have shorter blooming periods than those grown outdoors where it's brighter. Bougainvilleas thrive and blossom most where they can grow outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, but you can also grow them as houseplants or as annuals in cooler climates. If frost or subfreezing temperatures threaten, cover the plants with tarps or old sheets or blankets to help ensure that they won't be damaged or killed. Like cactus, your bougainvillea is actually native to very arid conditions so water it only when the top two inches (5 cm.) The blooming cycles last four to six weeks; prune and pinch after the blooming cycle. At any time during the growing season, pinch off about 1/2 inch of the stem tips to encourage more branching and ultimately, more flowers. If subfreezing temps and frost are forecast, move your potted bougainvillea to a sheltered location, such as a garage. The soil in the planting area or pot should be rather dry; allow the soil surface to dry out between waterings. Oftentimes, too much water is to blame when bougainvillea fails to perform as desired. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Many bougainvillea cultivars are notorious for their sharp thorns. Even in the ideal location, though, bougainvilleas need occasional protection from cold weather and frost in USDA zones 8 and 9. Part of the joy of bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea group or Bougainvillea spp.) More than that and you’ll encourage root rot and discourage blooms. That's because these hardy vines don't require much water, food or other care. Watering the Plants. Bougainvilleas need a resting or dormant period to be at their best during the summer growing season. If your bougainvillea doesn't get direct sunlight -- and enough of it -- it simply won't produce the colorful bracts you want to see. These thorny, colorful vines grow best in full sun. With a professional background in gardening, landscapes, pests and natural ecosystems, Jasey Kelly has been sharing her knowledge through writing since 2009 and has served as an expert writer in these fields. Place an indoor plant in a south-facing window, and if possible, move the plant to a bright location outside for the summer. If you suspect that your plant isn't performing as it should, consider changing some part of its growing environment. If your vine is in a pot, consider moving it to a better, more sunlit location to improve its blooming capabilities. That dormancy naturally happens in the winter, when temperatures drop and nights are longer. Bring plants indoors over the winter if there is a chance of frost. Give in-ground plants a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer and container plants a half-strength liquid fertilizer once a month throughout the growing season, beginning in early spring and continuing through the middle of the summer. Whether you grow your plant as a vine or a shrub, it's more likely to bloom profusely from early spring through summer if given the right care and conditions. This will also help protect it during winter. Bougainvilleas in containers sometimes don't flower as much as they should because their roots have too much space. If you grow your bougainvillea outside in a container, place it in a sunny spot, such as a south-facing wall, for the longest blooming period. Clemson Cooperative Extension: Bougainvillea, Missouri Botanical Garden: Bougainvillea (Group), NC Cooperative Extension: Protecting Landscape and Garden Plants During Cold Snaps, The Lowest Temperature for the Tropical Plant Bougainvillea. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Several hybrid species and cultivars also exist. If you have a saucer under the container to catch excess water, let the pot drain for 20 or 30 minutes; then empty the saucer. Situate garden-planted bougainvilleas in a warm, protected location, such as against a south- or west-facing wall. Fertilize bougainvilleas during the growing season for the best blooms. The boldly colored "blooms" people see aren't flowers but modified leaves, much like those of a poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which also grows in USDA zones 9 through 11. Most spring-blooming plants require pruning right after they bloom because they bloom on old wood; most summer-blooming plants require pruning in late winter or early spring because they bloom on new wood. Kelly's background also includes childcare, and animal rescue and care. Drench container plants till water flows from the bottom drainage holes. Susan Lundman began writing about her love of gardening and landscape design after working for 20 years at a nonprofit agency. Bougainvillea is a heavy feeder but requires a certain fertilizer to grow properly. If you can't move it, cover it with an old sheet or blanket during the night, as you would if it were planted in the ground. The native, arid climate of bougainvillea makes it difficult to grow in the United States, although some gardeners have success. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Bougainvillea. To get the most blooms from a bougainvillea, the plant needs full sun or at least 6 hours... Dormant Period. Don't worry if your bougainvillea isn't blooming when your neighbor's is; these plants flower throughout the year in the United States. Reduce to one-half the amount during noncolor seasons and particularly during cooler weather. Although you can prune bougainvillea throughout the year, pruning in summer may cut off the forming buds, reducing the amount of color you see the next blooming cycle. The healthiest bougainvilleas, and those that flower best, get adequate water during the growing season. If your bougainvillea doesn't get direct sunlight -- and enough of it -- it simply won't produce the colorful bracts you want to see. Light the Way. If it's in the ground, try transplanting it to a sunnier location; if it's mature, however, transplanting can cause more harm than good. Check soil moisture at least once a week using your finger and apply water when the soil is dry to a depth of about an inch. She has written about plants, garden design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites. Wait until after the last frost in spring to prune off frost-damaged stems. Keep in mind, though, that container plants are more susceptible to winter conditions than in-ground plants. Sterilize your pruning tool by wiping the blades with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol before and after using them to reduce the chances of spreading diseases from one plant to another. Check the soil before watering; if it still feels … It only blooms on new wood. 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how to make bougainvillea bloom

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