A Month-by-Month Bougainvillea Calendar for Bengal

Bougainvillea in Bengal follows a rhythm: two great flowering peaks in winter and early summer, a green growing sprint through the monsoon, and quiet transitions in between. Work with that rhythm and the plant does most of the work itself.

Winter, December to February: the grand show

• This is peak bloom. Cool, dry, sunny weather is exactly what the plant loves.
• Water very sparingly, roughly once a week, letting the soil dry almost completely.
• Feed once in December with a bloom fertilizer such as 0:52:34.
• In late February, once the flush fades, hard prune unruly branches and top dress with bone meal. This is also the only good window for repotting.

Spring and summer, March to May: the second wave

• New shoots flush and bloom again through April and May.
• Tip prune new shoots in March to multiply flowering branches.
• Water deeply only when leaves begin to droop, every day or two in peak heat.
• Spray Epsom salt at 2 g per litre monthly to keep leaves deep green, and watch for looper caterpillars and spider mites.

Monsoon, June to September: growth, not flowers

• Heavy rain switches the plant into vigorous green growth. Do not fight it, and do not expect many flowers.
• Withhold watering entirely; the rain does the job. Keep pots raised on feet so they never sit in water.
• Skip fertilizer. Feeding now only fuels more leaves.
• This is propagation season: take cuttings, air layer, or graft in July and August.
• Tie and train the long new vines onto trellises and arches while they are flexible.

Autumn, October and November: setting up the show

• Buds for the winter display begin forming. Stop all pruning from October.
• Feed potash: wood ash for organic growers, or 13:0:45 for chemical feeders.
• Ease off watering as the rains retreat. A slightly stressed plant in November means a spectacular December.

Print this rhythm on your terrace wall if you like: prune in February, propagate in July, feed potash in November, and never overwater. That is ninety percent of bougainvillea mastery.