Reasons and solutions for bougainvillea leaf loss

Bougainvillea is a relatively simple plant to maintain. If managed properly, it can bloom all year round, with bright colors and is very ornamental. However, some flower lovers reported that their bougainvilleas experienced frequent leaf shedding. Let’s learn together the reasons and solutions for bougainvillea leaf shedding.

1. Environmental adaptation

The newly purchased bougainvillea may have accelerated its metabolism due to the closed and dark environment during transportation from the online store, causing it to shed leaves to reduce nutrient consumption and adapt to the new environment more quickly. In this situation, weak branches should be cut off, long branches should be shortened, and the plant should be placed in a well-lit and ventilated place, and watered thoroughly in time to promote recovery. If necessary, you can cover the plant with a plastic bag, poke holes to keep it ventilated, and ventilate it for half an hour every day to speed up the recovery process.

2. Leaf fall caused by drought

If you forget to water your bougainvillea and it becomes dry, the leaves will wilt and fall off. At this time, some branches should be cut off to reduce nutrient consumption, rooting liquid and fungicide should be used to water the plants thoroughly, water should be sprayed with a watering can to keep the plants moist, and plastic bags should be covered to increase humidity. Ventilate the plants every day to promote recovery.

3. Soil and ventilation issues

Using non-breathable soil and poorly ventilated environments can lead to root diseases and leaf drop. The solution is to place the plant in a well-ventilated and well-lit place, prune the branches, keep the soil moderately moist, and use an electric fan when necessary to accelerate the evaporation of moisture on the soil surface to avoid suffocating the roots.

4. Leaf fall caused by low temperature

Bougainvillea is native to the south and is sensitive to low temperatures. Low temperatures in winter, especially below 5°C, may cause leaves to fall. If leaf fall is caused by low temperature, the plant should be placed in a place with sufficient light, pruned in time, the soil in the pot kept moderately moist, and fertilizer added when the temperature rises in spring to promote the growth of flower buds.

In summary, leaf drop problems in bougainvillea are usually related to environmental acclimatization, drought, soil and ventilation conditions, and temperature management. The problem of leaf fall can be effectively solved through proper maintenance measures, such as timely pruning, maintaining appropriate humidity and temperature, and using breathable soil.