How To Plant And Care For A Bougainvillea

There are many people who would love to have a stunning Bougainvillea plant in their yard. Yet, they hold back because they do not feel that they know enough about it to successfully grow one. These people have questions that can be easily answered. Once the answers are known, it is easier to move ahead and begin growing one of these gorgeous plants.

The most often heard question is where these can be grown. These are tropical plants. They like weather that is hot and dry. They will need at least six hours of direct sun each day. They do not like temperatures that go below 60 degrees at night. While they of course need water, they want an area that is not rainy. They need to dry out between each watering.

Something else that is often heard is how big will this grow. These can grow quite tall. 13 feet is not unheard of. However, you are in control. You can trim it back and pinch back new shoots to keep it in control. Many people train it to grow on a trellis.

One more query is whether this is an easy care plant or not. The plant does need some care. It needs pruning for example. Pruning will not only keep it in control and at the size you want, it makes your plant stronger. It needs pruning for strength.

Is feeding necessary is another thing that people often wonder. Feeding is something that is needed. Food should be worked into the soil before planting. Food should also be given during the times when your plant blooms. This will be a couple of times a year if you are living in the proper environment. This will happen during the spring and early fall.

How often is watering necessary is something that every plant owner will need to know. These need a deep watering. The water has to get down to the roots. Once you have watered, you should allow the soil to dry out before you water again. Look and feel the soil, it should be dry. A wilting plant is also a sign that you should water.

Those who live in cold weather areas may feel that they are out of luck when it comes to one of these. They may question if there is anything they can do to change that. Luckily, there is. Keeping this a potted plant and keeping it trimmed and small is an option. It can then be brought indoors for the cold weather season and taken back outside when it is nice out.

The Bougainvillea is not a difficult plant. It is easy to care for once planted and established. One thing to keep in mind is that you want to be use care when choosing an area for planting. Transplanting will most likely not be possible so be sure before you put it into the ground. The delicate roots make digging it up and replanting difficult to do. When looking at the space keep in mind the full sized plant that it will become.

FAQs About The Bougainvillae Plant

Bougainvillae is a beautiful tropical plant. In areas that mimic a tropical environment they grow well. They need direct sunlight. At least six hours per day is good. It will also need soil that is well drained. This plant will need to have an opportunity to dry out between watering. Therefore, an area that gets a lot of rain will not be a good choice. Nor, will an area where nighttime temperatures go below 60 degrees.

If you live in a cold or wet area keep your plant potted and take it indoors over the winter. Leaving it outdoors over the winter in cold climates will result in your plant not coming back in the spring. You can then put the pot back out when the weather improves.

When breaking up the soil for planting add some food and fertilizer to the dirt. Mix it in well. This will give a good foundation for planting. Your plant will get some needed nutrients. Be gentle when planting. The roots on this are very tender.

After placing your plant in the hole that you have dug and prepared, gently fill it back up with dirt. Tap it down. Take your spade or other small shovel to make a trench a few inches out from the plant. Create the trench to go all the way around. This will be useful for keeping the water close by while your plant is become accustomed to its new home.

Water well in the beginning. After the plant has adjusted and settled you want to cut back on watering. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. You will be able tell it needs water when the soil is dry to the touch. When that happens water it well so the water gets down to the roots.

Prune to keep the shape and height that you want. These plants can and will grow tall. You will have to prune it to keep it manageable. Pruning also helps the plant to become stronger. This can be done at anytime of the year. Pinching back some of the new shoots is also good.

During the blooming season feeding is important. In the right area where the temperature is ideal these will flower twice per year. Once in the spring and once again in early fall. You should feed during these two times. The plant loses a lot of nutrients and this helps to replace them.

The Bougainvillae will benefit from a trellis. It is a vine and as it grows it can be trained to grow along the trellis. A fence will also work if there is one nearby. When you are choosing a spot for planting think about leaving room for a trellis or something being nearby for climbing. One thing you do not want nearby is a tree that might block out the sunlight. Blocked sunlight would be very bad and would keep the plant from thriving. However, with proper care you will have a stunning plant that is filled with gorgeous blooms.

Best Tips For Growing Bougainvillea

The Bougainvillea is a tropical plant. It likes high temperatures and will not do well in colder climates unless it is brought indoors in the cold weather months. This plant does not like nighttime temperatures that go below 60 degrees. It will need strong sunlight, at least 6 hours per day.It will also do best in an area that does not receive excessive rainfall. This plant needs well drained soil in order to grow well.

Choose a spot in your yard. Pick an area where there are no trees to block out the sunlight. These plants do not do well when transplanted so be sure that the area you choose is where you want your plant to stay. Their root system makes being able to transplant them highly unlikely. Take into account the full sized plant, not just the size it is when it is first planted.

Break up the dirt where you will be planting. Make the hole larger than the actual plant. Work some plant food and fertilizer into the soil. This will help give this plant a good start. Use a watering can to place some water in the hole. This will give the roots a good drink.

Place your plant in the prepared area. Back fill the hole with soil. Tap it down lightly. Make a small trench around your plant. This will keep the water from running off when you water. Use a hose on the shower setting of the nozzle or use the watering can to thoroughly water the plant.

Until your plant is settled you should ensure that it is watered well. Once the plant is established and over the shock of being planted you can cut back on watering. These plants are tropical and are tolerant to drought. You should wait until the soil looks and feels dry before watering. Then water enough so that it gets down to the roots.

Be aware that these can grow quite tall. However, you can keep yours short if you prune it back. This will also help it to look better and to grow better. Even if you want a tall plant, pruning is important. It helps them to be stronger. You can also prune to make it look better. If some branches are detracting from the look, prune them. Unlike some plant this type can be pruned at any time of the year without having a negative impact.

Feeding is important. You should also feed during the times when your plant is making flowers. They will need the extra nutrients during this time. For those with the right climate spring and early fall are the flowering times for these. Food will keep make your blooms even better. It will also replace nutrients that are being lost.

As your Bougainvillea grows you should think about installing a trellis. This plant is actually a vine and can be trained to grow along the trellis. These look beautiful on a pretty trellis with their stunning flowers. Even when they are not flowering, they stay green and look pretty.