Ways to grow and care for bouvardia at home

Bouvardia rosea refers to a genus of low evergreen plants. This family is known as the Marene family. This includes special grasses and shrubs, species that are found throughout the tropics and subtropics. In nature, it grows in Central America, as well as in the territory of Mexico. This particular plant is ready to give fireworks of flowers on the windowsill.

Features of the flower

Gardeners have been cultivating this evergreen shrub for 100 years. It is compact and has very delicate, even touching inflorescences. The abundant and frequent flowering, as in deep subtropical forests, can not help but attract people’s attention. For this reason, breeders have successfully engaged in breeding bright bouquet forms.

The height of the plant allows it to be used in different interiors, because it grows from 50 to 150 cm, but the average length is 70 cm. Bouvardia has sparse internodes. Its stems are weakly branched. The leaves on this plant are suproposed or whorled. Their spines are short.

One more peculiarity of Bouvardia is its long blooming period. It may last several months. The inflorescences themselves resemble bouquets, because their diameter sometimes reaches 15 cm. They consist of many tubular flowers, with 4 petals bent on the outside.

The leaves are usually simple in shape. They are 3 to 11 cm long. The tops of the leaf laminae are often pointed. And the shape varies from lanceolate to broadly lanceolate or even ovate. The leaf surface is similar to skin, but quite smooth.

These flowers are so beautiful that they have received an additional name among flora lovers.

They are named:

• A hummingbird flower;
• a firecracker bush;
• the little trumpeter.

From early August through December there is an opportunity to admire the splendor of the bouvardia. It can vary in the shades of the flowers, which come in red, white, and also orange. And the pistil and stamens peek out of the tube like true “mischief-makers.”

From early August to December there is an opportunity to admire the splendor of the bouvardia.

Features of care for bouvardia

A number of conditions are loved by all flowers, and bouvardia is no exception.

In this case, it requires:

• Excellent lighting. Bright diffused light is preferred. It is possible to help artificially. The total level should reach 3000 to 3900 lux.
• Good watering, but without overwatering. During the growing season, it should be moderate. As the top layer of soil dries up to 2 – 3 cm deep, there is a need for new portions of moisture. Root and stem rotting should not be allowed under any circumstances. Winter watering is carried out at the first signs of leaf wilting. Neither the leaves nor the shoots should be allowed to wither. Water for watering is used only soft, standing water. It should be at room temperature. In addition, Bouvardia needs “baths”, the flower should be rinsed under running water to wash away dust buildup and refresh the foliage.
• The level of humidity, which should not be elevated.
• The temperature, which corresponds to the seasonal temperature in the natural environment. If the plant is not a winter bloomer, then during the cold season it should be ensured 10 to 12 degrees Celsius above zero, and in summer it should be about +20… +25 degrees Celsius.
• Nourishing soil. It must have good air and water permeability. Preparing such soil is not difficult. It’s enough to add perlite or vermiculite to the ready-made soil mixture. Sometimes the substrate for bouvardia is made by yourself. To do this, mix 4 parts of sod soil, 2 – peat soil. In the soil mixture should also be present in 1 part of sand and soil.
• Fertilizer. Care for bouvardia in this direction will have to be active. Every 2 weeks, complex mineral fertilizers should be added. But this is only necessary when flowering occurs;
• Pruning is necessary to give the plant a lush form. For blooming to be abundant, the shoots should be regularly pruned, and before the beginning of vegetation, they should be cut by ½.
• Repotting, which is very important for flowering. An abundant coverage of flowers occurs only in the 2nd year of the shrub, then it is much scarcer or absent at all. Therefore, the bouvardia flower needs to be renewed every 2 years. And annual specimens need to be transplanted. Pots for this procedure are chosen large.
• Propagation occurring by cuttings and division of bushes. In the first case, the apex shoots, which already have 2 – 3 internodes, are quite suitable. Rooting the plant is very easy, even in a glass with water, which is very pleasing. Bouvardia is propagated by dividing the shrub. But this method does not lead to renewal. And this means – the flowers on it will either be in sparse numbers, or will be absent at all. Therefore, the second method is not used by gardeners.
• Attention, in the form of preventive measures and direct control of diseases and pests.

The most common disease is root rot.

The cause is stagnant water in the soil. But with a properly made soil mixture, this cannot happen. High drainage will not allow stagnant water to appear. The affected plant is discarded. However, its cuttings are possible. So, the next year new bouvardia will appear in the house, which will bloom in 12 months.

Leaf chlorosis is a disease caused by poor watering, often with chlorinated water. As prevention and treatment, iron chelates are most commonly used.

If we talk about Bouvardia, caring for it at home is not difficult. But for all its resistance to pests, it may not resist aphids. The foliage in this case is rinsed under a shower of warm water.

In this case, there is no strict control of the shrub, which can not but please gardeners. Selection of a suitable place may well provide the best conditions for the development and growth of a strong plant.

Living decoration

The decor of different areas in gardens and rooms is the result of persistent and painstaking work of gardeners, both amateurs and professionals. True, the bouvardia itself is beautiful. No matter whether it is white or bright red, either way the flower is suitable for decoration. Its resistance to pests and unpretentious care make it a favorite for lush blooms.

The compactness of the plant allows you to plant it in cachepots and create mini hanging compositions.

Small pots placed in the garden or on the balcony may well make the greenery of nearby plants brighter. Delicate buds will create an attractive effect on balconies, terraces, in winter gardens.

Pots with plants can be taken outside during the flowering period. Their growing conditions allow the bouvardia to be outdoors until the active fall weather begins.

Many florists have already turned their attention to the beautiful flowers of the shrub. They are used for bouquet compositions. They are delicate, and therefore suitable for making wedding bouquets or as a gift for an attractive woman.

To make the life of the cut branch was longer, there is a secret: cut it should be when among the closed buds appeared only 2 – 3 flowers. And then regularly change the water for the bouquet, and the bouvardia will delight with its own flowers for another 7 – 21 days. The presence of alcohol fumes or tobacco smoke can kill the branch.

The exquisite bouvardia is capable of attracting looks indoors and outdoors, cut or alive. Its blooms are soft, as if it were a carrier of femininity. A little attention and this shrub will become a decoration of the house or homestead plot.