Bougainvillea is a seasonal flowering plant and it blooms between the months of October to April. Bougainvillea is a sun lover and blooms the best when kept in a hot environment. It has huge roots and doesn’t like to have them disturbed. And once they bloom, they add a colorful look to your garden. They come in many colors – from white to purple – and types and sizes. Double-flowered varieties are available too.
Bougainvillea can be grown as a bonsai plant which will look great in your garden. This can be grafted and grown in attractive structure.
Propagation of Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea plant is propagated easily from stem cuttings. Instead of using mature stems, always pick the growing stem for propagation. Dip the cut ends into hormone rooting powder, if you have it, then insert into the soil mix. This has to be done during or immediately after monsoon. This will make the plant to flower in it's season time.
Care for Bougainvillea
Monsoon care
Also, we don't need to feed the plant with fertilizers during monsoon season. Cut the dead flowers, unwanted or unhealthy branches to ensure full blooming in the next season. Make sure to fertilize the plant immediately after monsoon with NPK or other organic fertilizers.
Re-potting
Re pot the plant in every two years if it's grown in pot. Take the right sized pot based on your plant's age and size. Remove the extra roots while re potting and should not prune the root deeply as they like root bound. Choose a well-draining potting soil and the pot should have enough drain holes. Always water your bougainvillea well with a good soak after planting or re potting as this can help to avoid transplant shock.
Pruning
Prune the plant during or after the monsoon. Pruning the plant during monsoon will leads to more branches and there by more flowering. The more you cut the more the plant is going to bounce back and reward you with fabulous shower of flowers in the summer.
Tip pruning removes the end wood just after a bud node and will encourage a new branch to form at the cut point.
Sunlight and watering
Bougainvillea will not bloom if it doesn't get enough sunlight. Make sure the plant gets at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight. Water the plant based on the weather conditions. If the place is too hot, water regularly or in alternate days. Excessive water can cause the leaves to drop from the plant. Ensure that you provide the plant with plenty of support to grow and train.
fertilization
Feed the plant with NPK or with organic fertilizers like bone meal, compost and manure. Water the plant twice a day after fertilizing. Otherwise, there is a chance of rotting. Organic fertilizers are best suited for Bougainvillea. Bougainvillea is less affected by diseases and this does not require much care as other flowering plants do.
Soil
bougainvillea plants do have a very fine root system, which is one of the reasons you should need a good soil mixture for them to grow successfully.If you’re planting the bougainvillea in a container, make sure to choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes, since bougainvillea does not like too much water.
Grafting of Bougainvillea
There are many ways to graft bougainvillea. Choosing the correct technique requires an understanding of the different options available combined with the specifics of your grafting situation. Three of the most popular bougainvillea grafting methods are as follows.
- Cleft Grafting
- Bark Grafting
- Approach Grafting
Refer the below link for the detailed description of bougainvillea grafting.
Bougainvillea grafting techniques
Is it possible to graft bougainvillea?
Yes. The most popular grafting technique is cleft grafting.This can be done by making a V cutting in both scion and stock. Place the scion in root stock and secure with a grafting tape. Cover the plant with a neat plastic sheet to keep moisture in it.
What is the best potting mix for bougainvillea?
bougainvillea plants do have a very fine root system, which is one of the reasons you should need a good soil mixture for them to grow successfully. Prepare the mix with 60% garden soil and 20% compost and manure and 20% cocoa peat.
Does bougainvillea plants need water?
Water the plant based on the weather conditions. If the place is too hot, water regularly or in alternate days. bougainvillea dos not like saggy. So, avoid over watering. Over watering leads to fungal infections and root rot.
Sunlight requirements for bougainvillea?
Bougainvilleas will grow beautifully in partial shade, producing lush growth with large dark green leaves, but they will not bloom. Bougainvilleas need direct sun for at least eight hours daily for them to bloom their best.