The bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea spectabilis ) is an evergreen plant , woody vine that originated in Brazil . It is a social climber that can be trained as a shaggy-haired pot works , a hanging basket or as a plant 3 to 4 feet high . The vibrant colour of bougainvilleas comes from the three large , paper - like bract that surround the tubular white flowers .

Growing in a Pot

Bougainvilleas like stack of sun and a relatively teetotal clime . Grow bougainvillea in a pot if there is a risk of frost in your growing zone . habituate any good potting mix that drains well ; do not admit bougainvilleas to sit in water . Outdoors , plant bougainvilleas in 5- to 10 - Imperial gallon clay container , which tend to stay dryer . Indoor pots can be smaller . If you grow them in hanging field goal , a 12 - inch hoop is good .

Do n’t rush to re - green goddess bougainvilleas when they count like they have outgrown one . As long as you water and feed them , restricting their beginning organisation wo n’t hurt them , and they will grow more flowers . When you do move a plant , the new container should be no more than 2 in larger .

Growing Outdoors

If you live in a hoarfrost - free growing zona and have the blank space , bougainvillea planted in the ground can produce a prominent video display of blooms . Bougainvilleas like lots of sun and do better in a loamy , well - drain territory that is adequate parts of gumption , clay and silt . Planted alfresco , they tend to raise rampantly and may fail to give rise blooms for one or two years . set your bougainvillea on high ground if possible so water drain off from the roots .

Watering

Once established , bougainvilleas are drought liberal . Wait until the soil is visibly wry before you water system , then urine exhaustively . you may make loath bougainvillea produce more blooms by letting then dry out slightly between watering . The prank is to lease the plant wilt slightly , without damage them , between tearing . When the flower buds appear , ordinarily in three or four weeks , resume tearing . If you let them droop too much , they will flatten flowers .

Pruning

you could train bougainvilleas on a trellis , lease them straggle and trail , or keep them bushy . If you prune them invariably to keep them from growing , they will produce fewer blossoms . Bougainvilleas only grow blooms on novel growth . Unless you prune them , they will arise outward without creating branches . cut them hard at the beginning of summer and all summertime to maintain their size . Prune them hard if they grow too much . To encourage the ontogenesis of Modern branches and the production of more flower , twitch a half - inch from the tip of soft new stem . bougainvillea have four - week unfolding cycles . Prune or purloin them after the flush of color is finished .

Fertilizing

bougainvillea have thin , touchy roots . Fertilize with a 6 - 6 - 10 quick - release fertilizer that contains at least 5 pct iron plus other micronutrients . Fertilizer marketed for hibiscus also works well . Apply according to the direction on the label . If your industrial plant grows too tight , bring out declamatory , sullen - unripened leaf , you have in all probability applied too much fertilizer .

References

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