Page 33 - Kyalami Estates Issue 3 Aug 2024

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
GARDENING
vailable in red, purple/
mauve, white, yellow, orange,
magenta and many shades
of pink, Bougainvilleas are
Astunning but rather sensitive
when young.

As ‘adolescents’ they have easily
damageable, brittle root systems. When
planting, wet the soil thoroughly before
transplanting from the nursery bag or
container. Do not loosen the soil away
from the roots during this process to avoid
transplant shock.

Top tip: Bougainvilleas love warm, sunny
spots with well-drained, rich, loamy soil.
They prefer infrequent but deep watering.
STYLING AND TRAINING
Bougainvillea plants are essentially
creepers but with nifty pruning, they can
be trained to grow into several styles
and shapes, for example neat formal
hedges using mesh or wooden trellises. In
smaller gardens, they can be controlled by
frequent pruning and even styled into ball
shapes called superballs or standards.
Depending on the size of the ball or the
height required, bold columns can also be
created and are real show-stopping décor
elements.
Top tip: Choose low-growing varieties and
experiment with hedging styles and wall
cover-ups. Remember to tie down the
plants with string while still in training
school.

PRUNING
Pruning should be carried out once your
Bougainvillea has finished flowering. This
encourages new growth upon which the purple/white, flame, ruby and
next flush of flowers will grow. A good rijnstar.
general rule is that regular, light pruning
will keep them in good shape with near- FEEDING, FROST AND
constant regrowth and blooms. Pruning PESTS
also helps reduce disease and extends A balanced foliar
the life of the plant. Pruning during winter fertiliser can be applied
will set the tone for the new season and every four weeks
give the plant a great head start. during the growing
period. Alternatively,
Top tip: Pinch off tender ends that are a slow-release 3:1:5
about to bloom to promote denser, fertiliser every two
brighter flowers. to three months is
also good. Ask your
CONTAINERS AND INDOORS nursery for advice
Bougainvilleas will also thrive in and recommendations
containers if the potting mix is well- on feeding solutions.
drained and nutritious and receives Another great thing about
infrequent but deep watering. They Bougainvilleas is that
need as much sun as possible but will they are virtually disease-
tolerate some shade during the day. free, provided they have lots
When growing indoors, choose a spot of sunlight. During winter in
that receives some sun and is always particularly cold regions, a frost
well-lit. Prune indoor plants regularly cloth should be used for protection,
and be careful not to overwater them. but they are generally quite resistant
TEXT AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIFE IS A GARDEN When selecting your container, look for and grow back well.
pots with plenty of drainage holes (don’t
WWW.LIFEISAGARDEN.CO.ZA forget the saucer), and remember that Top tip: Look out for aphids and red
the pot’s size will also affect the size of spider mites that may spawn during Remember to mulch around all
the plant’s growth. Bougainvillea beds and containers to
spring. Fortunately, these are easy to retain soil moisture and reduce weed
take care of with the variety of organic growth. Follow these tips for best
Top tip: Try special container growing and chemical pesticides available at
Bougainvillea varieties such as vera nurseries. results and may your growing journey be
successful!

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 3 • 2024 31