Care of Bougainvillea

Potting

Ideally, the plant should be grown in soil before being potted. The roots of bougainvillea are very brittle and thin when not developed, which makes it easy for them to break off during potting. It is best to wait until the branches are thick and the roots are strong enough to withstand moving before considering potting. The best time to move the plant to a pot is during late Spring when it is in rapid development. Otherwise, it might be difficult for the plant to recover and survive after transporting. Water the soil two days in advance and let it dry. After potting, the plant might lose some leaves, but they should begin to regrow quickly.

Planting bougainvillea in the soil before transferring it to a pot has another advantage: the trunk of the plant can grow thicker due to the lateral spread of the roots, which tend to go far distances. A pot is too confining for the early development of this vine. Generally, the longer the roots the thicker the plant’s trunk.

When choosing a pot, always opt for a larger size to provide the roots ample space to grow and thrive. Choose a glazed color pot to create color contrast with the exquisite leaves of the plant, or place it in an unglazed pot to give the plant a rich, earthy look and feel. Also, remember to use pots that have sufficient drainage and moisture retaining qualities for optimum growth.

Soil

Organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen is the preferred choice for bougainvilleas because they require high amounts of nitrogen to grow their beautifully colored leaves. Bougainvilleas perform well with 40% of organic matter in the soil; the remaining matter may be agricultural pumice, coarse sand, decomposed granite, or a mixture of all of these.