Flowering of bougainvillea

Flowering of bougainvillea
The most basic thing to clarify in this topic is what a bougainvillea flower actually is. The flowers of bougainvillea are often identified as the bracts around the flowers, which change colour due to sunlight. This is a fallacy. The true three-tubular flowers, almost insignificant in appearance, are simply enclosed by the bracts. In the case of bougainvillea, it is not the flowers but the differently coloured bracts that make the flowers so striking. There are also so-called sterile varieties which don’t even have any flowers at all.
The natural habitat of bougainvillea is the equatorial region, where the length of days and nights is almost equal. In these areas, bougainvillea usually bloom all year round. In central Europe, including Hungary, most bougainvillea species flower most intensively when the length of nights and days are almost equal. This period occurs twice a year, around 20 March in spring and 22 September in autumn. There are, however, some varieties which are indifferent to the length of the day and night and which have a different flowering cycle and will flower well even between these two periods. Flowering is significantly influenced by the pruning of bougainvillea, which will be discussed later.
Bougainvillea owners who have a conservatory will find that their bougainvillea will flower more vigorously in winter than in the hot August heat due to the length of the nights. The long days in summer hinder the development of profuse flowering. Thus, if your plant is not flowering in mid-summer, don’t worry, bougainvillea only flower continuously in areas near the equator where the length of days and nights are equal.
Bougainvillea grow and flower in cycles. The flowering cycle usually lasts 5-6 weeks, after which all the bracts fall off. There is then a 6–8-week period in the life of the plant when no bracts are formed. During this cycle, the bougainvillea develops new shoots and foliage. This is called the vegetative, developing phase. If the plant has been properly nurtured, you can expect another flowering after the vegetative growth cycle.
Bougainvillea thrives in full sun. It requires at least 5 hours of direct full sunlight per day to flower properly. If it receives less than 5 hours of sunlight, the plant will not flower profusely. In shade or partial shade, bougainvillea will set itself up for vegetative growth and will not flower or will flower only lightly.
Bougainvillea do not flower well indoors either. Keep the plant outdoors in maximum available sunlight. Place it on a veranda, patio or balcony. If you can only give it partial shade, opt for afternoon sun, it prefers afternoon to morning sun.
At this point, I would like to mention the connection between the ultraviolet rays of the sun and the colouring of the leaves, which is hardly mentioned anywhere in any literature. My experience shows that there can be huge differences between the colouring of the bracts of a bougainvillea kept in direct sunlight and those of a bougainvillea kept under the same conditions but under a film with a light transmission of over 90% but with a UV filter layer. So, plants kept outdoors in direct sunlight will not only increase the number of hours of sunshine, but will also achieve significantly more vibrant, intense colours when exposed to UV radiation.
Bougainvillea likes high humidity just before flowering. Once in flower, it can tolerate drier air. In Mediterranean areas, when we see specimens up to 2-3 metres tall in 10-20 litre containers, we often wonder how they can meet their water needs in the sweltering Mediterranean heat with a disproportionately small amount of soil for their size. The answer is simple. The bougainvillea can also make use of the humidity in the air, which in Mediterranean countries is a given due to the proximity of the sea. In our climate, it happens that on hot, dry summer days, the younger, still weak shoots and flower stems of our bougainvillea burn in the sun, whereas in areas close to the sea, at the same or even higher temperatures, this does not happen. This is due to the humidity of the air.

Richly flowering bougainvillea in pots with a Mediterranean flair.
In summary, bougainvillea has two different growth cycles.
- A vegetative growth period, which lasts a few weeks. During this period the plant develops new shoots and leaves. At the end of the cycle, if the plant receives sufficient sunlight, it will form bracts. If the plant does not get enough sunlight, it remains in a vegetative cycle.
- Flowering period of several weeks, when little or no vegetative growth occurs. The duration of flowering depends on the health of the plant and its environment. The more direct sunlight and warmth up to a certain point, the richer the flowering. However, long days and short nights limit the flowering capacity of bougainvillea. This period in Hungary falls in June, July and August. .
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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