Why do the leaves of bougainvillea turn black and dry? What should I do if the flowers of bougainvillea dry up?

Bougainvillea is loved by people for its bright and colorful flowers, but many people encounter the situation of dry flowers when growing bougainvillea. So what is the reason for the black and dry leaves of bougainvillea? What should I do if the flowers of bougainvillea dry up? The following editor will explain them one by one, hoping to help you.

Why do the leaves of bougainvillea turn black and dry?

If it is a single-petal bougainvillea, it is a normal phenomenon because the bougainvillea in our country will not produce seeds. The flowers will generally fall off naturally or slowly dry up on the branches.

If it is a double-petaled bougainvillea, the small petals on the branches will dry up and turn black when there is a lack of water. Generally, the color of a normal dried bougainvillea flower will become lighter. The petals that dry up due to lack of water will turn black.

What to do if the bougainvillea flowers dry up

1. Temperature

The suitable temperature for the growth of Bougainvillea is 15-30℃. If you have just bought Bougainvillea, it is usually grown in a greenhouse. The temperature and humidity in the greenhouse are quite stable. When you buy Bougainvillea, the growth temperature is relatively low in the current environment, so even if there are flowers, they will wither. This is its self-protection.

2. Lighting

Bougainvillea likes sunlight and is a positive flower. Insufficient light during the growing season will weaken the plant's growth and affect bud formation and flowering. Therefore, all year round, except for newly potted seedlings, they should be placed in semi-shaded places. In winter, they should be placed in front of a south-facing window, and the light exposure time should not be less than 8 hours, otherwise a large number of leaves will fall easily. For short-day flowers, the light exposure time is controlled at about 9 hours a day, and buds and flowers can appear after one and a half months.

3. Soil

Bougainvillea likes loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil and avoids waterlogging. When potted, you can use one part each of leaf mold, peat soil, sandy soil and garden soil. Flowering plants should be repotted and soil changed once a year, before early spring buds.

4. Watering

Water only when the soil is completely dry. If there is too much water, it will affect flowering and many flowers will fall off. Try to reduce watering during the flowering period and keep the soil slightly dry.

5. Pests and diseases

If it is normal withering, it means the flowering period is over. If it is abnormal drying up, it may be infected by bacteria. If it is infected by bacteria, you can only spray fungicides.

How to care for the bougainvillea flowers that have just withered and made them bloom again

1. Pruning: This pruning is the same as the short-term withering pruning, which reduces nutrient consumption and helps the plant recover vitality.

2. Fertilization: After the flowers have faded for a long time, fertilize the bougainvillea with a balanced compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If the leaves do not grow well, you can apply nitrogen fertilizer once or twice, and usually water it with thin organic fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in the summer when the temperature is high, and start applying phosphorus, potassium and organic fertilizer liquid from September.

3. Keep the soil moist: After the flowering period, Bougainvillea will enter a rapid growth period. At this time, make sure the soil is moist and avoid dryness as much as possible. Allow the branches and leaves to grow lushly, grow as many new buds as possible, and store more nutrients.

4. Adequate light: Bougainvillea cannot grow without the sun. It needs more sunlight and more photosynthesis so that its branches and leaves can be strong and it can bloom more next year.