A colourful woody climber with lush green leaves is a magnificent scenic beauty. The natural alternative arrangement of the leaves in the stem makes the plant look dramatically elegant.
The Bougainvillea is native to South America and typically found in tropical regions across the world. The dense plant with stiff thorns blooms with flowers almost all through the year.
If you love the sparkling colours of Bougainvillaea and looking to grow the plant at home, this block will give you a thorough insight on the same.
Fact: The colour of Bougainvillea is Cream or white. It is the bracts that surround the flower that is colourful and makes the plant look vibrant. People mistake that to be the flower while that is a bract as such.
Table of Contents
- Bougainvillaea Plant in the UK
- Learn How to Grow Bougainvillea in the UK
- Basic Care Needed for the Bougainvillea Plant
- Common Problems Faced when Growing Bougainvillea
- Bougainvillea Propagation
Bougainvillaea Plant in the UK
Bougainvillaea grows well in warm weather conditions. More specifically, the plant hates cold and frost. Therefore, we suggest you grow the plant in places where there is sunshine most of the day. The plant as such flowers from the early summer and can last up to Autumn.
In the UK, you can find Bougainvillea grown in warm conservatories. This is because the plant requires sun and warmth for it to flower and grow well. You may also find Bougainvillea in heated greenhouses. However, it cannot sustain cold and will lose its leaves in icy conditions.
So, if you plan to grow Bougainvillea in the UK, place the pot inside the house if it is winter. The good news is, the plant will flower for even ten months if kept in warm conservatories.
Wondering whether you can grow Bougainvillea in the UK at home?
Well, you can. The southern parts of the UK have mild weather all through the year. So vibrant and lush green Bougainvillea can grow without any hassle.
Ensure that the plant is protected during winter, and you can successfully grow the Bougainvillea in the UK.
Fact: Bougainvillea is Grenada’s National Flower
Learn How to Grow Bougainvillea in the UK
Firstly, the plant is a dense climber. That means you need a lot of space to grow this plant if you plan to grow outdoor. Don’t forget to place a trellis. Remember, the plant is a climber, and it thrives fast.
You can prune the plant if it grows uncontrollably lengthier. Chopping the stems during early summer or fag end of winter can help them grow well too.
Secondly, the plant requires acidic soil. Be it a pot or a lawn, ensure the soil is dried as you water it. Give ample time between two watering periods.
The soil not only needs to be less alkaline properties but also must be well-drained. The roots tend to rot faster if it is moist. And, as you keep it in the pot, ensure it has enough drainage holes to drain the water quickly.
Lastly, plant Bougainvillea facing the south as the summer heat can turn them healthy. Bougainvillaea can stand heat up to 38 degrees in the day and would love if the weather is 10 degrees more in the night.
Basic Care Needed for the Bougainvillea Plant
As you grow the plant in the UK, it is noted that it starts flowering in early spring. It starts growing faster in this period and give out flower buds. This is the time the plant requires more water.
At the same time, follow the thumb rule that the plant needs watering only when the soil is dry. Do not keep adding water if the ground is wet.
As the spring moves on, start adding fertilizers during April. You can add the fertilizers every week. If it is nitrogen-rich, it is the best suited for the plant. As you do this, you will also find bracts showing up in the plant. During that period, add potash rich fertilizer.
It is often observed that the plant flowers massively during summer. However, if you do not find that happening, there is only one reason for it; Overwatering.
We suggest you allow the soil to dry out well, let the leaves drop off to an extent and begin watering. Then, again, follow the thumb rule.
The natural ability of the plant is to slow down flowering during the Autumn. Therefore, during this period, do not add any fertilizer and reduce the watering level too.
You can water them once a month and allow the leaves to droop down. Then, you can see them through winter like this and begin the process again in the early spring.
Common Problems Faced when Growing Bougainvillea
Root Rot
Root Rot is a significant issue encountered when growing Bougainvillea in the UK. This is mainly due to increased moisture content in the soil.
Yellow leaves and the base of the stems becoming brown are a few symptoms of root rot. You can stop watering for a day or two. Allow it to dry, and then start watering.
Brown Edges in the Leaves
Though the plant can survive heat, extreme exposure to the sun may cause the leaves to turn brown.
As you propagate the plant, please keep it in areas of low sunshine once it starts sprouting. Then, as you grow the plant in pots, you can change the location to a less sunny location.
Bougainvillea Propagation
Propagation of the woody plant is provided you are patient. Usually, it takes six weeks for propagation to complete. But the method is pretty straightforward and has a significantly lower failure percentage.
Step 1: Select a hard stem from the plant and cut it using a pair of garden scissors. Cut anywhere between 6 to 8 inches.
Step 2: Remove all the leaves and flowers from the stem. The stem has roots and does not allow any green leaves or sprouting leaves in the branch.
Step 3: Take some rooting hormone and dip the cut end in it. Tap the stem if it sticks to too much rooting hormone.
Step 4: Plant the cutting on a pot that contains well-drained soil. Insert just an inch and a half inside the earth.
Step 5: Water the plant and do not over saturate it
Allow the set-up in warmer circumstances and sunshine for better growth. It shall take 6 to 10 weeks while the nodes start sprouting with leaves.
This is the time you can confirm that the plant has begun giving out roots.
Alternatively, you can cover the pot and stem set up with a plastic cover.
Especially in the colder parts of the UK, this can retain heat and warmth inside the cover. You can seal the bag by zipping it so that it is completely covered. You can water them every 2 or 3 days as the soil gets dryer.