Hello, new gardener! We are bougainvilleas, and we're thrilled you're considering bringing our vibrant, papery bracts into your life. To help us thrive and put on a spectacular show of color, here is everything you need to know from our perspective.
We are sun worshippers, through and through. We originate from warm, sunny climates, and we need a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day to be truly happy. The more sun you give us, the more we will reward you with an explosion of color. Without enough light, we will become leggy, with long stretches of stem between leaves, and we will produce very few, if any, of our beautiful bracts. For us, a sunny spot is non-negotiable.
Our relationship with water is simple: we like a good drink followed by a period to dry out. Our roots do not like to sit in constantly wet soil, as this will cause them to rot. When we are actively growing, water us deeply, allowing the water to soak through the entire root ball. Then, wait until the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch before watering again. In the winter, when our growth slows, you can water us even less frequently. Think of us as drought-tolerant; we prefer to be on the slightly dry side rather than too wet.
We are not fussy about soil, but we demand one critical feature: excellent drainage. A standard, well-draining potting mix is perfect for us. If planting us in the ground, ensure the area does not collect standing water. We actually prefer to be a little bit root-bound in a container. This slight stress often encourages us to produce more flowers (bracts) rather than focusing all our energy on growing roots. So, don't be in a hurry to repot us into a much larger home.
To support our massive displays of color, we are heavy feeders during our growing season. Feed us regularly with a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus (the middle number on the fertilizer package), such as a "bloom booster" formula. This nutrient specifically promotes prolific flowering. However, avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen (the first number), as this will encourage us to grow lots of green leaves at the expense of our beautiful bracts. A regular feeding schedule from spring through early autumn will keep us at our best.
We are natural climbers and can be trained onto trellises, fences, or arbors. You can guide our young, flexible stems and tie them gently to their support. We also respond very well to pruning. The best time to prune us is right after a flush of blooms fades. Pruning encourages new growth, and since we bloom on new growth, this means more flowers for you! Don't be afraid to cut us back quite hard to maintain our shape and size; we are vigorous growers and will bounce back quickly.
