It is probably the most attractive and also the most challenging thing that the bougainvillea has to offer the hobby botanist: its wonderful bloom. It is all the more tragic when the vine beauty suddenly begins to shed its flowers. What can be the reason? Here are some tips and first-aid measures.
It is normal for the flowers to fall off over time
Worth knowing about the Bougainvillea flower
Anyone who has already dealt with bougainvillea a little will know: The color spectacle of the flowering phases is not due to the flowers themselves - these are rather inconspicuous structures. It is the large three bracts that surround them and shine in strong shades of purple, red and orange. This construct is generally a rather sensitive matter. The surface of the beautiful bracts is particularly vulnerable to mechanical influences such as heavy rain, hail or physical attacks.
It is also important to know that bougainvillea always has several flowering phases throughout the season. At the end of each flowering period, the flowers naturally disappear - but then in a properly withered form. You only have to worry if the flowers suddenly drop off in the middle of the flowering phase and in a visually perfect condition.
So let's first state:
- protect sensitive bracts of triple flower blossoms from mechanical disruptive factors
- Bougainvillea always has several flowering phases per season
- Blossom loss is only critical when blossoms fall off unwilted
Possible causes of premature flower loss
nutrient deficiency
If the beautiful buds fall off before their due date, the plant could be starved of nutrients. Basically, the bougainvillea needs a lot of nutrients, especially during the exhausting flowering phase. In the event of a sudden loss of flowers, it can help to give it a little fertilizer - preferably a special fertilizer for flowering potted plants, which contains a phosphorus enrichment that is optimal for flowering.
relocation and overfertilization
If you have only recently purchased your bougainvillea from a specialist plant store, the multiple changes can have a disruptive effect on the formation of flowers. Of course, the move from the large greenhouse to your home does not leave the plant unaffected - if in doubt, it will do without the luxury of flowering and maintaining it for the time being.
It is also possible that it was brought to a sales-promoting flowering stage by heavy fertilization when it was raised in the trade. Weaning off this (over)fertilization can also lead to flower loss. In that case, it's just a matter of waiting - if in doubt, until the next season.