Bougainvillea Plant Pests Learn More About Bougainvillea Loopers

Bougainvillea loopers are small worm-like caterpillars that are commonly called “inchworms.” They will move by bunching up their body and then stretching back out, as though they are measuring the space.

How do I get rid of bugs on my bougainvillea?

It's always best to go with the most natural bougainvillea pest control method available. An effective organic solution is found in the use of ladybugs, which are predators of aphids and most of the other pests mentioned. You can also try something like Neem tree oil concentrate.

What insects eat bougainvillea?

Aphids. Known also as greenfly, blackfly or plant lice, aphids are minute plant-feeding insects. Important natural enemies include the predatory ladybugs/ladybirds/ladybeetles, and lacewings. Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking pests, appearing in the spring to feast on your plants' tender new leaves.

What causes leaf curl on bougainvillea?

Pests. Several insect pests attack bougainvillea leaves, which results in leaf curling and wilting. ... Aphids are also associated with leaf curling in bougainvillea. Swarms of these tiny insects suck sap directly from the plant's foliage, which causes them to become rigid and curl inward.

What's wrong with my bougainvillea?

Bougainvillea is susceptible to fungal and bacterial leaf spot. ... Leaf spot lesions usually progress, enlarging and eventually distorting the plant's growth or causing the bougainvillea to lose its leaves. Gardeners can control leaf spot by keeping leaves and foliage dry.

What is the best fertilizer for bougainvillea?

Use complete, balanced fertilizers with a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) ratio such as 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 to promote good bougainvillea health and plentiful flowers. Too much nitrogen promotes vegetative growth at the expense of blooms, so slow-release fertilizers that moderate nitrogen release are best.

What do you spray on bougainvillea?

Even with natural predators, bougainvillea loopers can sometimes multiply faster than the predators can eat. In these cases, you may want to spray the plant with a pesticide. Neem oil and bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective against these bougainvillea plant pests.

What do you feed a bougainvillea?

Bougainvillea is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilization to produce blooms throughout the growing season. You can use a water-soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength every seven to 14 days, or apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring and midsummer. Bougainvillea blooms on new growth.

How often should a bougainvillea be watered?

It prefers a good, deep watering every 3-4 weeks rather than frequent shallow waterings. When establishing (in the 1st couple of years), be sure to give your bougainvillea regular water. It's subject to a few types of root rots so don't over-water. The soil should be well-drained which will help prevent rot.

Does bougainvillea require full sun?

Bougainvillea will grow in a variety of soil types, is highly drought tolerant but should be grown in full sun in acid soil to produce numerous colored bracts (similar to poinsettia or dogwood). If it receives too much shade and/or water it will resists blooming.

Why is my bougainvillea not flowering?

When you find your bougainvillea has lots of gorgeous green growth and no blooms, it's probably because of an excessive amount of nitrogen fertilizer. Like other plants, too much nitrogen encourages bougainvillea to add lots of vegetative parts like leaves and stems at the expense of buds.

Why is my bougainvillea losing all its flowers?

One of the primary causes that flowers drop off bougainvillea is low light levels. ... Although bougainvilleas tolerate brief dry periods, the vine requires regular water in order to bloom since it goes through water quickly. Don't let that soil dry out completely or you may see your bougainvillea losing blooms.

Does bougainvillea attract rats?

But bougainvillea plants are also messy, thorny and make a dandy home for rats, earning them a love-hate relationship with landscapers and maintenance workers countywide.

How do I know if my bougainvillea is dying?

Bend a portion of a bougainvillea stem near its tip gently. If the stem section bends easily without breaking, it could indicate that that area of the stem is still living. If it snaps with even slight bending, that part of the bougainvillea is dead. The tissue inside a dead stem is brown, not green.

How do you save a dying bougainvillea?

Cut bougainvillea stems that appear dead at the top but still green and living nearer the ground back into living tissue. Make any cut slightly angled and just above a bud or junction with another stem.

Can bougainvillea get too much sun?

Bougainvillea thrives in full sun. ... More hours of direct sun are better. Less than 5 hours and the plant may not bloom very well. If grown indoors, in shade or partial shade, you will have nice vegetative growth, but little or no bloom.

Does bougainvillea like coffee grounds?

Coffee Grounds

The bougainvillea plant loves acidic soil and nitrogen. Coffee grounds provide super nutrients, with nitrogen being one of them. This makes the soil more acidic and helps the flowers to thrive! ... If you don't drink coffee at all, go to your local Starbucks and ask for them.

Is Epsom salt good for bougainvillea?

Bougainvillea will not bloom in shade. ... Go easy on nitrogen fertilizer or you'll get all leaves and no blooms. Try feeding it once a month in summer with a tablespoon of Epsom salts dissolved in a gallon of water.

How do you keep bougainvillea blooming?

Bougainvillea flowers heaviest when the plant is water-stressed. Bougainvillea growers often withhold water for extended periods to force the plant into bloom. To stimulate blooming this way, withhold all water until the leaves begin to wilt. Then water thoroughly.

How do you winterize a bougainvillea plant?

Part of the care for bougainvillea plants over winter is to keep them a touch on the dry side. As spring nears, gradually increase water. As temperatures outside warm, gradually introduce the plant to more light and warmer temperatures to get it ready to go outdoors.

Does bougainvillea attract bugs?

Aphids are tiny insects that come in a variety of colors but they're most commonly pale green. A stressed or neglected bougainvillea attracts the cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) and the melon aphid (Aphis gossypii).

How long do cut bougainvillea flowers last?

The longest vase life of 7 days was recorded for flowers treated with 8% ET, followed by vase life of 6 days for flowers treated with 12% ET. The vase life of control flowers was 4 days.