My Bougainvillea Defoliated During Shipping

Culture

• Commercially grown bougainvilleas begin their life in a greenhouse where temperature, light and irrigation are highly controlled. The colorful vines receive, at a minimum, 4,000 foot candles of light. This is the same as if the plants were receiving eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Temperatures are kept at 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The plants prefer dry, well-draining soil. Some growers purposefully hold off watering because drought conditions cause flowers to bloom at a quicker rate than normal.

Shipment

• During shipment, plants receive less light, and temperatures may vary greatly from the controls set in the greenhouse. Freezing temperatures will cause injury to tender branches and cause leaves to drop. If growers have withheld moisture from the plant so as to encourage blooms, then the plant may be in water stress. This condition promotes leaf drop when water levels sink too low. Overwatering, however, can also increase leaf drop.

Treatment

• Trim frost-injured branches back to promote new growth. It is unlikely that frozen shoots will produce blooms. Be aware, however, that bougainvillea blooms on new growth. Cutting back frozen portions will remove new growth, and you will have to wait an another growing season before you see blooms. Inspect the plant's remaining leaves. Wilted leaves show the plant is in drought stress and should be watered immediately. Also, all water should drain from the pot. Leaving the bougainvillea in sitting water will only cause leaf drop due to overwatering. In addition, place your plant in full sun -- a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. Placing the plant in direct sun, providing it with water and well-drained soil and removing injured parts of the plant will help it recover from its shipment conditions.

Considerations

• Inspect your plant for other causes of defoliation. Yellow leaves and necrotic spots on remaining leave are indicative of chlorosis, a condition caused by insufficient amounts of magnesium or iron. Feeding the plant with a micro-nutrient blend should reverse this condition.