Giant Bougainvillea
In stock
3.7/ 5
3 reviews
This was a gift but the recipient said it was a beautiful plant and covered in flowers
Bought two plants. Perfect condition arrived.
Unfortunately the plant - which was a present for my mother-in-law - was EXTREMELY dry and already losing a few brachts upon arrival and has now lost nearly all flowers, brachts and leaves although I believe it has been cared for according to the information provided. I do have a couple of photographs if required.
These instructions are sent with the plant gift
Bougainvillea are usually grown outdoors in warm Mediterranean countries. However, they will also do well in the UK, either a patio in the summer or indoors on a sunny window sill or conservatory. If they have enough light, bougainvillea are really very easy to look after and will provide colour for most of the summer.
Light is very important to Bougainvillea. Try and keep it near a window or in a porch or conservatory. In the warmest sunny months, you can put it out on the patio or balcony. However, don’t let it get too hot or cold, and water regularly. A cool room is fine, but a draughty porch or a frosty conservatory is not. If it gets below 10 degrees Celsius it will suffer.
Your bougainvillea will need regular but not over watering. The soil should be allowed to dry out a little on the top before watering again. Always make sure you do not leave your plant sitting in water, this can suffocate the roots and eventually rot them.
As the flowers fade, pinch out the dead blossoms to encourage new growth and make the plant look tidy. You should find that your bougainvillea flowers several times throughout the summer and at the end of each flush of flowers you may need to cut back the dead stalks to keep it neat. Bougainvillea respond well to being quite pot bound so unless your plant really puts on a lot of growth over the summer it should not need repotting until next Spring. At that time, you are best to use a slightly acidic free draining compost.
Bougainvillea flower best if they are not overfed, repotting in spring should be enough food to keep your plant going, If the growth slows down and becomes light feed it once more in mid-summer with a balanced all-purpose feed. to keep it healthy.
Problem solving:
In this country the low light levels in the winter months can lead to some leaf drop. Give your plant a light prune in the early spring to tidy it up and it will soon produce a fresh flush of green leaves followed by coloured bracts and flowers. If you are struggling to produce or reproduce the flowering bracts try moving to a sunnier position.
