When should prune bougainvillea? How to trim?

Bougainvillea is famous for its long flowering period and abundant flowers, especially in the south, where suitable climatic conditions allow this plant to bloom all year round, making it a veritable four-season flower . However, although the flowering period of Bougainvillea lasts for a long time, the opening state of the flowers will vary in different seasons. The temperature difference between day and night is large in autumn. This temperature change seems to stimulate the vitality of bougainvillea, making it grow more luxuriantly, and the quality and quantity of flowers also increase accordingly. Therefore, August and September become the golden period for the growth of bougainvillea. For such a vibrant plant, timely and appropriate pruning is particularly important. Let’s learn together when to prune bougainvillea. How to trim?

1. Pruning during the new bud growth period in spring

In spring, as the temperature rises, bougainvillea begins to sprout new buds. At this time, the buds with poor shape and too dense at the bottom should be removed to avoid nutrient dispersion and affect the ventilation and light of the plant. For branches that grow too fast, top them at the right time to promote balanced growth of new branches and increase the probability of flowering in spring.

2. Pruning during the rapid growth period in summer

In summer, bougainvillea enters a rapid growth period and its branches grow rapidly. If not pruned in time, the plant shape may not be beautiful when it blooms in autumn. When pruning in summer, pay attention to the growth of the plant and shorten the semi-lignified branches to help control the plant shape and promote flowering.

3. Pruning after flowering

Pruning after flowering mainly involves removing flower stalks and overly long, thin branches, and performing simple repairs to prepare for the next crop of flowers. At the same time, cutting off large leaves will help the bougainvillea to bloom again. For varieties that flower frequently, if the plant shape is maintained well, you can control water and apply fertilizer appropriately to promote further flowering.

4. Shaping and pruning before germination in spring

The flowering period of Bougainvillea can last from spring to winter. Therefore, shaping pruning is usually done in early spring before bud break. Remove dead, weak and diseased branches, and keep strong old branches. When pruning, please be careful. If you want it to bloom in spring, you should lightly prune the old branches. If you want to get a better potted shape, you can do heavy pruning in early spring, using the strong germination ability of Bougainvillea to cultivate new main branches.

Through the above pruning methods, you can promote the healthy growth of bougainvillea, extend the flowering period, and maintain a good plant shape. During pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging the plants and reduce the risk of disease infection. At the same time, flexibly adjust the pruning strategy according to the specific conditions of the plants and the growth environment to achieve the best maintenance effect.