Fertilisation of bougainvillea

Fertilisation of bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a nutrient-demanding Mediterranean plant, so fertile soil is essential for its growth.
If the bougainvillea is healthy, all parts of the plant, including the stem, leaves and bracts, will be brightly coloured and vigorous and the roots will be white. Underfed bougainvillea will show the opposite.
For abundant flowering, you should feed the plant with a balanced NPK ratio of a permanent or water-soluble nutrient solution. The key is a balance of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Using a permanent fertilizer with an NPK 20-20-20 ratio is an excellent choice for bougainvillea. If you use a fertilizer that is overbearing in nitrogen, you will stimulate the growth of your plant, and if you shift the ratios towards phosphorus and potassium, you will achieve a more vigorous flowering and less vigorous growth.
Container-grown plants have a limited amount of soil from which they need to take up the nutrients they need to grow and flower. The nutrient supply in the container is quickly depleted when the plant is actively growing. Replenish nutrients regularly. It is your decision whether you prefer a fertiliser solution or a permanent fertiliser. In my opinion, especially for larger quantities, using a continuous release permanent fertiliser is the easier and more convenient option, as you only need to mix it into the growing medium once at the beginning of the season and it will last you the whole season. Whatever fertiliser you use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the amount and concentration used, which can always be found on the packaging.
Stop fertilising in early September. The nutrients in the soil will last until flowering starts in mid-September, after which your bougainvillea will go into winter dormancy and no longer need fertiliser.

Use a fertiliser with a balanced NPK ratio to ensure a rich flowering bougainvillea.
- during the drier, hot summer months, it is possible that bougainvillea kept in full sun may stop growing for a short time. The plants’ metabolism is at its fastest at 30 degrees Celsius, but at 40-45 degrees Celsius it practically stops, shuts down and does not produce new shoots or bracts. This is the plant’s defence against extreme environmental conditions. It is an unfavourable but natural process. After the heat has gone, the plant will be relieved by the cooling of the summer days and nights by a few degrees and will start to grow again in a few weeks. This phenomenon is seen as a process, especially by less experienced growers, over which they have some control and to which they tend to react by increasing the amount of nutrients. Avoid overfeeding nutrients, you will only harm the plant. Be patient, wait until the hot days are over!
- in winter, when your bougainvillea is completely dormant, with no shoots or leaves, do not fertilize! By fertilizing it, you will encourage it to grow during its rest period, and during this period the conditions are far from optimal for growth.
As an artisanal nursery based in Hungary, we are dedicated exclusively to growing, propagating and selling bougainvillea mutations. Our purchasing system is overseen by the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH). Our mother plants and propagations are supervised by a plant protection expert, a plant protection specialist and a plant doctor, assigned by NÉBIH. Our bougainvillea are delivered with a plant passport. The plant passport is the official label required for the transport of plants within the European Union, certifying that the plants bearing it meet the health requirements of all EU plants. In addition to the bougainvillea varieties known in Hungary, our collection also includes the rarest tropical mutations. The procurement of mother plants and propagation from them is continuous. We propagate locally and do not sell to other traders. All our Bougainvillea for sale have strong roots, are healthy and resistant to disease. Plants are delivered by GLS, MPL, or other local couriers. Our plants can be delivered to any place in Hungary within one day of order. Need more reasons to buy?

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