Bougainvillea is a resilient and adaptable flower that thrives in various weather conditions. This vine-like plant features numerous sharp thorns and can grow up to 15 meters tall, blooming throughout the year. While it doesn’t require elaborate care, simply watering it with plain water will not lead to optimal growth and flowering.
Watering Bougainvillea the Right Way
To encourage lush growth and continuous blooming with vibrant colors, proper attention should be given to pruning, watering, and fertilization. One secret to their success is adding vinegar to the water.
Vinegar contains acetic acid and provides vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, offering essential nutrients to the plant. Additionally, vinegar helps improve the soil environment, creating the slightly acidic conditions that bougainvilleas prefer.
Bougainvilleas thrive in sunny conditions and benefit from extended exposure to sunlight. However, over time, the soil can become bleached, hindering the plant’s growth. Therefore, watering with vinegar is a natural way to enhance soil quality.
The mild acidity of vinegar helps reduce the alkalinity of the soil, creating a balanced environment for the plant’s development. An ideal soil pH falls between 5.5 and 6. You can mix 150ml of vinegar with 4 liters of water to maintain the appropriate pH level for your bougainvillea.
Regularly watering with vinegar also stimulates flowering, encouraging rapid bud development and continuous, vibrant blooms.
Additionally, vinegar plays a role in eliminating harmful bacteria and fungi in the soil, fostering healthier plant growth.
How to Use Vinegar for Watering Bougainvillea
Using vinegar to water your bougainvillea is simple and easy. Mix approximately 150ml of vinegar with 4 liters of water. This ratio is ideal for these plants. Do not pour undiluted vinegar directly onto the roots, as it may cause root damage and burning.
In terms of frequency, once a week is sufficient. Water your plant during cooler times of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the intense midday sun.
Natural vinegar is preferable to industrial vinegar as it contains more nutrients due to the natural fermentation process.
Additional Tips for Growing Bougainvillea
Ensure your bougainvillea receives direct sunlight. The more sun it gets, the more it will bloom. Insufficient sunlight will result in leafy growth without many flowers.
During the seedling stage, carefully control the amount of water you give your plant. Allow the soil to dry out completely, and the leaves to droop slightly (while still firmly attached to the branches). This technique suppresses leaf growth and encourages the formation of flower buds.
In addition to watering, provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Prune diseased branches and trim the plant after each blooming cycle to encourage more abundant flowering.