Bougainvillea Care & Maintenance by BGI
Light & Temperature
Bougainvillea are tropical plants that thrive in areas outdoors with low rainfall and intense heat. For maximum blooming, they need direct sunlight for at least 5 hours per day. For best results, night temperatures should stay above 60°F (15°C) while daytime temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) without ill effect. Bougainvillea thrives in Hardiness Zones 9 and up, but can be enjoyed seasonally in other zones as long as they are protected and brought indoors during winter months. When treated as annuals, bougainvillea can be wintered over in basements or other cool and lower light areas.
Feeding
The Achilles heel of bougainvillea has always been their delicate and thin root system. Use a fertilizer high in micronutrients, especially Iron, to promote spectacular blooming and healthy root development such as BOUGAIN® Quick Release Bloom Boost (6-8-10 Plus Minors). BOUGAIN® contains 5% Iron and other micronutrients to strengthen delicate roots and intensify color of bracts and foliage. Bougainvillea are heavy feeders that crave minors during flowering season, so remember to regularly feed your plant during these months. Reduce the frequency to half during non-coloring months, especially under cool temperatures.
Watering
The amount of watering needed is directly related to the climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions. However, there are some guidelines you can use. Bougainvillea are drought-tolerant plants, and require very little water once established. Bring the soil to visual dryness between waterings. Wilting is the best indicator that watering is needed. Take care not to let your bougainvillea get bone-dry, as this will cause bracts and foliage to drop. When it is time to water, do it thoroughly – making sure that every inch of root gets watered. When choosing an area to plant your bougainvillea, remember that higher ground is best - as this makes water drain AWAY from the roots. Avoid constant, light, and frequent watering as this will promote a weak and shallow root system and prevent any major coloring on your bougainvillea. Be careful not to allow your bougainvillea to sit in water as this may cause bracts to drop or stop blooming altogether. If your bougainvillea is grown in a pot – make sure drainage holes are unobstructed, and toss that water dish... bougainvillea do not like wet feet!
Pruning & Pinching
Pruning and pinching bougainvillea are important techniques to promote the greatest growth and flowering - as bougainvillea only bloom on new growth. Pruning is important not only for shape but for strength as well since bougainvillea tend to grow outward without creating branches unless their stems are pruned. They can be pruned hard if growth is excessive.
In Florida, landscape professionals commonly perform a hard cut at the first sign of summer, and keep on a regular trimming schedule all summer long to maintain size. Pinching is the method of removing the soft tips of young plant stems to encourage fuller growth. You can do this with a pair of secateurs, or by using your fingers to pinch off ½ inch from the tip of new soft growth. Bougainvillea will send out several new stems just below the pinched tip.
The more regularly you pinch, the more your bougainvillea will branch and bloom. The best time to prune or pinch is after the flush of color or flowering cycle is completed. Flowering cycles are typically four to six weeks.
Article: Pinching bougainvillea
Soil
Bougainvillea grow best in well-drained loamy soil (made up of equal parts sand, silt, and clay), mixed with organic matter which allow nutrients and oxygen to more easily reach the roots. Use a soil mix described as “quick draining” such as BGI Select Soil™ for best results. Do not use any kind of water-retaining soil as this may cause root rot and leaf spots to appear.
Unpacking Instructions for BGI’s Web Store Bougainvillea
1. UNPACKING - When your bougainvillea arrive, unpack the box immediately.
Remove the plastic wrap used to keep soil in place, and also any shredded paper (used to retain moisture during shipping).
Keep in mind that a strong, healthy root system is the most important feature of the bougainvillea; damaged foliage and bracts sometimes occurs in shipping, but the plant will soon recover with healthy roots.
Often leaves will yellow slightly in transit. However, the new growth will become the proper shade of green when the plant has recovered from shipping.
2. WATERING - Check each pot to see if it requires watering. Water those pots which are dry.
3. TRANSITION - Place all plants in a spot of moderate temperatures (65-75°), in good light (but out of hot, noon day sun) for a day or two until they adjust from shipping, then move them to their permanent, full-sun location.
Allow your bougainvillea a week to adjust to their new home before transplanting or fertilizing with BOUGAIN®. Take extra care not to damage or sever any of the delicate root ball when removing from the pot.
4. REPOTTING – Bougainvillea like to be pot-bound, so repotting is necessary only when the roots have exhausted most of the soil in the pot.
Your 6-inch bougainvillea bush can remain in the pot it came in for several years. Bonsai bougainvillea can remain in their bonsai pot for even longer. You can trim stray roots that emerge from the pot’s drainage holes without any harm to the plant.
Repot into larger pot sizes gradually. For example, move a plant in a 6” pot into a 9" or 10" pot. The root system needs time to grow into each new pot.
Turn the pot upside down and gently tap the edge to release the root ball from the container.
Never pull on the stem of the plant. Bougainvillea have brittle roots which are easily severed.
There is no need to fray the roots; the root system will easily expand into the new soil.
Good Luck with your new bougainvillea, and thank you for your business!
*This document is copyrighted and cannot be used without expressed and written permission by Bougainvillea Growers International.
