Keeping bougainvillea healthy throughout the winter
How do I keep bougainvillea healthy and strong throughout the winter?
**FULL QUESTION**
Dear *Gardening Life*,
How can I over-winter a potted bougainvillea plant? I live in Toronto.
*—Fran Lee*
**FULL ANSWER**
Fran,
These tropical beauties are generally greenhouse plants in Canada, but they can be happy spending the summer outdoors. They will have to be brought indoors well before frost strikes. Spray the plant and soil with insecticidal soap so you don't bring pests in with it and bring it inside by a sunny window; do this gradually — increasing the time a few hours each day — to allow the plant to adjust to its new conditions. It should be in a spot with daytime temperatures between 15 and 21°C at most and nighttime temperatures above 4°C. Keep the soil on the dry side and don't worry if the plant drops some leaves. You can prune it a bit at this time. In mid-spring, increase watering and start feeding the plant with a flowering-plant fertilizer. Once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 10°C, you can gradually start introducing it to its outdoor spot again. Don't put it in direct sun right away or it will burn.
Good luck!
*—Karen York, Botanical Editor*
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