How to Care for a Bougainvillea Flower or Plant
Named for French Navy Admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainvillea, who led the Brazilian expedition upon which Europeans discovered the flower in 1768, Bougainvillea is a member of the Nyctaginaceae family. One Bougainvillea type (glabra) goes by the name "paper flower." Preferring the sun and heat, Bougainvillea thrives as a hanging houseplant. The evergreen, woody vines of the Bougainvillea plant will grow to lengths of 4 feet if left ungroomed. Native to Brazil, this tropical plant produces brilliant red, orange, purple or white flowers that bloom repeatedly with proper care. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant the Bougainvillea flowers in an organic growing medium. Organic potting soil will allow the roots of the plant plenty of room for growth. Organic soil is light and airy, so it has good drainage--which is a necessity for growing Bougainvillea.
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Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Bougainvillea likes moist soil but cannot tolerate saturated soil. To maintain a good balance, provide deep waterings when you notice the top layer of soil is dry. Allow the water to flow through the layers of soil and out the drainage holes in the pot.
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Hang the Bougainvillea in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. At least five hours of sunlight is required for healthy blooms--more is better. Failure to supply the plant with adequate sunlight usually results in very few flower buds.
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Maintain a constant temperature between 65 and 75 degrees F during the daytime hours. Bougainvillea flowers appreciate cooler evenings, with temperatures as low as 60 or 70 degrees F. Temperatures below 60 degrees will force the plant into dormancy, while exposure to temperatures lower than 32 degrees F can kill it.
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Supply Bougainvillea flowers with a slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer as directed by the manufacturer, watering well afterward. Bougainvillea plants fare well with fertilizers that contain high nitrogen, iron, magnesium and micro ingredients.
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Tips & Warnings
If you cannot maintain the required temperatures, set the pots on plant heating pads. This will require the use of an ordinary pot instead of a hanging planter.
A grow light can supply the Bougainvillea with adequate light if sunlight is unavailable.
Do not over-water Bougainvillea plants. Standing water will cause the roots of the plant to rot. Do not use a saucer, which will cause the plant to absorb standing water, continuously.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Red Orange Bougainvillea image by verdantspaces from Fotolia.com
