The colorful bougainvillea, or bougainvillea, must be brought indoors or to a frost-free place in winter.
In summer, the triplet flower makes many eyes shine. On the balcony or terrace, the lush blossoms cause admiration. In the shade of this floriferous exotic, there is a holiday mood. But unfortunately no summer lasts forever and in late summer it is time to think about overwintering the bougainvillea. The original distribution area of the triplet is in South America. In the Mediterranean region, too, the plant now feels at home outdoors all year round. In our latitudes, however, the bougainvillea has to move to a suitable winter quarters.Off to winter quarters - the preparations
Bougainvillea is quite easy to cultivate in summer. If the triplet gets a warm and sunny location, is watered sufficiently and does not get a cold shower from above, the exotic climbing plant is eager to grow and bloom.
When will it be time to move to winter quarters? This doesn't need to be rushed. The plants tolerate values close to the freezing point for a short time. However, frost should not prevail. Before moving indoors, the plant can be prepared for its upcoming dormancy by slowly cutting back on watering. In this way, the boletus can already begin to shut down its metabolism.
➔ Tip: The root ball must not dry out completely even in the winter quarters.
Keeping the plant in a bucket ensures a stress-free move into the house. The plant pots can then be easily carried into the house. If the plants were cultivated outdoors, the move is a bit more complex. Likewise, the right time should not be missed.
➔Warning: Even one night with frosty temperatures can freeze the plants.
Overwintering outdoor plants - what should be considered?
- Take the plant out of the ground in time
- Protect your roots
- Insert drainage
- Transfer plant to planter
- find a suitable location
The bougainvilleacan already move into the house at the beginning of September. If the autumn is mild and without night frost, you can wait until October. When digging up the plants, pay particular attention to the sensitive roots. It is not uncommon for the triplet to get a literal blow and then shows this in the winter quarters with hanging leaves. After a few weeks, however, the plants usually recover without any problems.
The planter should be large enough for the roots to spread. Even if the plant is only watered a little in the winter quarters, drainage at the bottom of the container is always useful to ensure that the irrigation water can run off well and that waterlogging does not occur.
What is the ideal winter quarters for the Bougainvillea?
- light
- cool
- frost-free
The greenhouse or conservatory are ideal locations for overwintering. If you don't have one, you can also place the plants in the bright stairwell. Basements are also suitable, provided there is sufficient light. The bougainvillea can winter well at ten degrees. It shouldn't be warmer than 15 degrees. A cooler location, on the other hand, is even an advantage and supports the formation of flowers.
➔ Tip: If you overwinter your triplet at three to five degrees, you have the best chance of getting numerous flowers next summer.
In order to make the move for outdoor plants as stress-free as possible, they should no longer be watered at first. If the foliage has withered and fallen off, it is a good idea to prune the plants before moving indoors.
➔ Tip: If the plant has lost its leaves before hibernation, it can also be overwintered in a dark room.
Which pruning measures make sense before wintering?
- strong pruning
- cut back young shoots
- remove faded flowers
Can be cut back vigorously before hibernation. It does not harm the plant if it is cut back by half. Since the flowers only form on short shoots, the young shoots should also be pruned. It is also important to remove faded flowers. Pruning before winter dormancy promotes new growth and flowering.
Find the right location for the container plant
Potted plants have it a little easier in the cold season, because they can be transported into the house in just a few simple steps and the roots are not endangered.However, the move to the winter quarters should not be neglected under any circumstances. Container plants are sensitive and the roots are attacked more quickly by frost than a triplet planted outdoors. The tub plant should also be brought into the house by the end of September at the latest. Wintering can take place at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees. Here, too, the cooler the location, the better the prospects for a rich bloom.
➔ Tip: The planter should not stand directly on the cold tiled or stone floor. A piece of wood or Styrofoam pad protects the plant and prevents the cold from reaching the roots.
What care is required in winter?
The hobby gardener should not completely lose sight of his bougainvillea in the winter quarters. Regular patrols prevent pests from spreading or care and location errors from being recognized too late.
The humidity in the plant pot should also be checked regularly. The soil must not feel too wet, this endangers the roots and, in extreme cases, leads to root rot. On the other hand, the root ball must not dry out completely. If watered about every four weeks, the plant should get through the winter well.
➔ Tip: The cooler the plant is, the less water it needs in winter.
If leaves have fallen off, they must be removed to prevent mold infestation. If the triplets develop shoots in the winter quarters, these should be removed. The plants develop their flowers only from the sprouts produced in spring.
It's done - what happens in spring?
Once the winter is over, the plant usually shows this with new shoots. This can happen as early as the beginning of March and depends not least on the brightness in the winter quarters. After new growth, the plant moves to a warmer location at room temperature. It is now gradually watered more and it can be started with the fertilization. From around mid-May, the plants are allowed to move outdoors again.