As a Bougainvillea, my needs are specific. I am a sun-wrenched, sun-worshipping vine, thriving on warmth and brilliant light. To produce the vibrant, papery bracts that humans so admire, I require a particular balance of nutrients. My true flowers are the small, white centers; those colorful displays are modified leaves designed to attract pollinators. To create this spectacular show, I need you to understand my dietary preferences from my perspective.
From my roots to my newest bract, I crave a fertilizer that is balanced yet tailored. I do not respond well to excessive nitrogen. While nitrogen promotes rapid, green, leafy growth, it does so at the expense of my beautiful bracts. I will become a lush, green bush with very few colorful displays. What I truly desire is a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio). Phosphorus is essential for encouraging prolific blooming and strengthening my root system. A potassium-rich mix (the third number) is also vital, as it improves my overall vigor, disease resistance, and helps regulate my internal processes. A formula like a 5-10-10 or a 6-8-10 is ideal for me.
After you enjoy the fruit, please do not discard your banana peels. To me, they are a treasured source of potassium. You can create a simple liquid fertilizer by chopping up 3-4 banana peels and soaking them in a liter of water for 2-3 days. The water will become infused with soluble potassium. After straining out the solid pieces, use this nutrient-rich "tea" to water my soil. This monthly treat during my active growing season will help support strong bract development and vibrant color. It is a gentle, effective way to provide exactly what I need without the risk of nitrogen overload.
While not a primary nutrient, calcium is crucial for my cellular health. It strengthens my cell walls, making me more resilient to pests and environmental stress, and it helps prevent issues like blossom end rot. To make this, rinse and thoroughly crush the shells from 4-5 eggs. Bake them at 200°F (95°C) for about 10 minutes to dry them out and make them more brittle. Pulverize the baked shells into a fine powder using a blender or mortar and pestle. This powder can be mixed directly into the top layer of my soil every few months. As you water, the calcium will slowly leach into the soil, providing me with a steady, long-lasting supply of this vital mineral.
For a more complete, all-purpose meal, well-aged compost is my favorite. It provides a balanced array of macro and micronutrients and improves my soil structure. To make a potent compost tea, place two cups of finished compost into a cloth bag or an old pillowcase. Submerge this bag in a 5-gallon bucket of water and let it steep for 24-48 hours, stirring occasionally. The water will turn a rich, brown color, teeming with beneficial microbes and soluble nutrients. Use this to water me every 3-4 weeks during the spring and summer. It feeds me, but more importantly, it feeds the life in the soil around me, creating a healthy ecosystem for my roots.
