Choose containers with plenty of holes and drainage at the bottom. If your bougainvillea loses blooms during the growing season, take heart. Bougainvillea is a tropical vining plant, with some varieties growing up to 30 feet. Aphids, small insects with soft bodies, move slowly, sucking fluids out of the plant. The most common reason for leaf loss in bougainvillea plants is over watering. If the plant's leaves are pale, or it starts to lose leaves, it might need more sunlight. Bougainvillea plants are delightful showpieces that boast small white flowers surrounded by brilliantly colored bracts. The recommended water range for a bougainvillea is dry to normal. Read on to learn more details about why flowers drop off bougainvillea plants. Barbara Karst Bougainvillea flowers and leaves turning brown, drying, and falling off, need expert g - Knowledgebase Question ... Now after a month in the ground, the flowers as well as the leaves in all 5 plants are browning, drying up, and falling off. If planted in the ground, steer away from heavy clay or dense soils, which may not allow water to drain quickly and effectively. It produces flushes of flowers throughout the growing season as long as it gets appropriate care and conditions. The opposite is also true; if plants are never watered, they can lose leaves. 3. Water. Adjusting cultural practices should take care of the flower-drop problem. Bougainvillea are tropical plants generally grown for their brilliant and generous flowers. All plants need water. They should be allowed to dry between watering and never be completely soaked. In addition to warmth, bougainvillea requires a bright, sunny growing location. Generally, bougainvillea plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and above. It might be now that we are in fall, the cooler temps have caused the leaves to turn brown and drop, as seen on many trees. In addition to warmth, bougainvillea requires a bright, sunny growing location. Although bougainvilleas tolerate brief dry periods, the vine requires regular water in order to bloom since it goes through water quickly. If the amount of moisture is not the issue, it may be that the plant is infested with aphids. Sunshine is the most important requirement for these blooming beauties. If your bougainvillea blooms are falling off, the odds are that the plant is not getting one of these critical elements. See how my Bougainvillea glabra looks in … Aphids can be treated naturally by removing the tiny bugs by hand or by gently spraying the plant with water. You may be applying the correct amount of water to the plants but without proper drainage in the soil or pot, the water may stagnate, causing the bougainvillea to retain too much moisture. Leaves are very soft and delicate. In our climate, though not at all extreme, Bougainvillea is semi-deciduous. Like every other plant, bougainvillea has particular growing needs that must be met if it is to bloom and grow happily. What is causing my bougainvillea leaves to turning yellow & fall off? Outside this summer it fared best when left to nature's watering and it did bloom. Use a general purpose plant food 20-10-20, following label directions. Answered. You may not get long-lasting blossoms if you fail to meet them. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. What to Do for a Fuchsia Plant That Is Losing Leaves. Prune it back by up to 50% if you prefer a compact plant, or less if you want a bigger one. Not all the leaves fall off but maybe 1/2 of them. When bougainvillea blooms are falling off … Leave stems are very delicate, come off at slightest vibration. They can also be treated with a mixture of vegetable oil, water and dish detergent. One of the causes for the leaves turning yellow (and yes, they turn completely yellow) is those cooler winter temperatures. Plant your flowers in an area that will continue to receive full sun. Sign up for our newsletter. Outside in the summer, now inside for winter, (west window normal house temps 66 - 72F) bougainvillea drops all leaves to be just sticks, regrows leaves quickly, then drops them even while they are still green. Planted 3bmontgs ago, healthy soil, morning sunlight, weekly water....how do I solve this before it dies? When you irrigate, soak the soil thoroughly and then allow it to dry out before irrigating again. Bougainvillea are some of the few plants that can handle drought and large amounts of sunlight. Don’t let that soil dry out completely or you may see your bougainvillea losing blooms. This results in leaf loss and possible root rot. Answer + 2. Try to meet or beat the light levels of the garden store where you purchased the plant. Mississauga, ON. Bougainvilleas require warm weather. If in pots, move them to a warmer location such as a greenhouse, shed or garage where the temperature remains above 50 degrees F. Water about once a month during this time. Bougainvillea is a tough specimen and lives for decades. When bougainvillea blooms are falling off your plant, check your irrigation. Although low maintenance, they sometimes suffer heavy losses of leaves in the summertime. The edges of the bougainvillea leaves will look chewed on and have a scalloped edge. Bulbs. Not only do they transmit deadly plant viruses as they suck the plant with their mouth parts, but they stunt the plant's growth, damaging the leaves and buds. Bouganvillea dropped all its leaves I kept my bougainvillea outdoors for the summer and brought it in before the temperatures dropped. They require little care and small amounts of water. Plants will become dormant and need to be stored effectively. If your climate is too cold for the plant, transplant it to a pot and move it indoors during cold periods. Blossoms also suffer from frost. Bougainvillea flower drop can be caused by temperatures that are lower than those the plant is used to. Be aware that when other structures are added in the area they may reduce the amount of sunlight received, and the lessened light may negatively affect the brilliant flowers and cause the leaves to fall more heavily. The amount of water needed for a plant varies from species to species. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! We've been watering it minimally, approx. Plant your foliage in soil that drains well -- add pine bark in pots and planters to assist the drainage. Look for small, spider-like insects if the bougainvillea leaves turn yellow and drop from the plant. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. In fact, if these plants receive too much shade or are blocked from the sun, it may result in leaf drop. To prevent aphids from attacking a bougainvillea, remove weeds. Many reasons exist for this, so it is best to examine your plants and their surroundings, and analyze the care and nutrients that they are receiving. Bougainvillea is a tropical plant that can bloom year-round in areas of the world where night and day are nearly the same length. You can also trim back your bougainvillea to encourage new growth. 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