So, I’ve got this bougainvillea, right? It’s one of those plants that just explodes with color. But then winter rolls around, and I’m always a bit worried about how to take care of it.
Figuring Out What Kind of Bougainvillea I Have
First things first, I had to figure out what type of bougainvillea I actually had. It is not just about winter, this actually helps with taking care of it all year. Once I knew, it made things a whole lot easier.
Getting Ready for Winter
When the leaves started to fall off, I took that as my cue. I pruned back some of the canes. It just makes it a lot less of a hassle if I need to cover it up later.
Watering – Less is More
Now, about the watering. I used to water it quite a bit during the warmer months, but in winter, I really cut back. I only gave it a good drink maybe once every four weeks. I did make sure the soil was a bit moist, though. You don’t want it totally dried out. And I also kept an eye out for those annoying spider mites. They love dry air, and I didn’t want them making a home on my plant.
Feeding the Plant
- Mixing up a special treat: I mixed some coffee grounds with wood ash, eggshells, and banana peels. I know, it sounds a bit weird, but bougainvillea loves this mix.
- Spring feeding: Come early spring, I gave it some slow-release fertilizer. I used that rose and gardenia fertilizer. My bougainvillea seemed pretty happy with that.
Keeping an Eye on Things
Throughout the winter, I checked on my bougainvillea regularly. Just making sure it wasn’t too dry and keeping an eye out for any pests. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but it’s worth it to see those beautiful blooms again in the warmer months.
It’s not just about getting through the winter. It’s about setting it up to really thrive when the weather gets warm again. And let me tell you, when spring rolls around and my bougainvillea starts blooming, it’s all worth it.
