My son bought me a large bouganvilla about a week ago. It is blooming profusely, but the leaves seem to be curling. I've been told not to let sit in water, but when I water it the water runs straight through. What should I do? Thanks for any help....Peg
HELP FOR BOUGAINVILLA
Could be too much water, they tend to like it on the drier side. I would make sure that the soil dries out in between waterings (stick your finger down a couple inches in the soil before you water, if it still feels wet then don't water yet). Even if it's not sitting in water, the soil in the pot could still have too much water in it if you're watering more frequently than it needs.
It almost sounds like the soil is dry and is not absorbing when you water. Does the soil feel dry? If so, set the plant in a shallow saucer of warm water and see if it absorbs it. If the soil mix used has a lot of peat in it and it gets too dry, it's difficult to re-wet.
I gave it some water, probably too much. I made sure it didn't sit in water by removing bottom tray. Went back about an hour or so later and it had dropped several blossums, but the leaves are no longer curling. I think I better leave it alone for awhile until it feels real dry. I've read several articles and some call for frequent water and some say keep it dry.
If you watered it and then it perked up, it probably was too dry. It's always best to be careful though, way more plants die by overwatering than by underwatering. And my experience and most of what I've read says that they will bloom better if you keep them on the dry side and don't fertilize much, but I recall another discussion a while ago where others watered and fertilized more than I did and still had plenty of blooms. So they may be tolerant of a range of conditions.
This plant is going to be tricky. Right now it is beautiful. I hope to keep it that way as long as possible. It is a busy time now, with trying to make cuttings of my coleus and making up my containers. I know y'all are as busy as I am. So I thank you for taking the time to help me....
Peg