Bougainvillea: A Vibrant Addition to any Garden
Bougainvillea, also known as paperflower, is a popular ornamental plant in Vietnam and beyond. This resilient plant thrives in various environments and can bloom year-round with proper care, showcasing its vibrant and colorful flowers.
Native to South America, bougainvillea has spread to many tropical regions worldwide. There are several varieties, including Thai and American bougainvillea, each offering a unique twist on this beautiful plant. Whether used for landscaping or to provide shade…
Unraveling the Mystery of Bougainvillea’s Blooms
Bougainvillea thrives in hot and dry conditions. When planted in rich soil, it tends to grow rapidly and produce abundant foliage, but flowering may be delayed. Conversely, when planted in drier, cooler locations, it often blooms more profusely.
Ironically, the more pampered bougainvillea is, the fewer flowers it tends to produce. Additionally, insufficient sunlight can also hinder its blooming potential.
Encouraging Continuous Blooms
After each flowering cycle, it’s important to prune the plant to remove weak, diseased, or old branches, allowing the plant to focus its energy on new flower production. Follow this with an application of well-rotted organic fertilizer to provide essential nutrients.
During the new leaf growth phase, you can apply inorganic fertilizer or foliar spray. Once the new leaves are plentiful, the plant will have the strength to produce a new flush of flowers. At this point, supplement with potassium or phosphorus fertilizer, divided into two applications, with ample watering in between. Space the fertilizer applications 10-15 days apart.
Next, enter the water restriction phase. By withholding water, you encourage the plant to enter a state of bud differentiation, which is crucial for abundant flowering. For bougainvillea planted directly in the ground, withhold water for 3-5 days. If grown in pots, monitor the plant daily and maintain moisture without overdoing it. This water restriction period should last 5-7 days, after which you can resume moderate watering.
When you notice new leaves forming in clusters, with a slightly darker shade, and small buds appearing on the stems, your bougainvillea is transitioning to the budding stage.
To enhance the vibrancy and longevity of the flowers, spray the plant with vitamin B1 and flower fertilizer once a week. Maintain adequate watering, preferably in the morning, to prevent flower drop.