How to grow and prune bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a flower with great ornamental value. It prefers a warm and humid climate and is not cold-resistant. The suitable growth temperature is between 15℃-25℃. It has a strong demand for light and requires at least 6 hours of light a day to meet its growth and flowering needs. Let’s learn together how to grow and prune bougainvillea.

1. The cultivation method of bougainvillea

1. Light and temperature

Bougainvillea loves light and needs plenty of sunlight to grow and bloom well. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The suitable growth temperature for Bougainvillea is 15℃-30℃, and the temperature in winter should not be lower than 5℃, otherwise it may suffer frost damage.

2. Soil and watering

Choose loose, breathable, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. You can use leaf mold, garden soil and river sand mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1. Water once a day in spring and autumn, water once in the morning and evening when the temperature is high in summer, and reduce the frequency of watering in winter.

3. Fertilization

During the peak growth period (spring and autumn), apply a thin layer of compound fertilizer or organic fertilizer once a month, and apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before flowering. When applying fertilizer , avoid direct contact with the roots. You can dilute it and then water it, or bury it in a small hole next to the pot.

4. Reproduction

Summer is the best time for cuttings. Choose one-year-old semi-lignified branches, cut them into 10-15 cm lengths, and insert them into the sand bed. They will take root in 20-25 days. Layering propagation is carried out in spring and autumn. After the branches are cut, they are buried in the soil and roots will grow in about 20 days.

5. Repotting

Repot once every spring or autumn, replace new soil, and trim old and dead roots. Remove the plant from its old pot, shake off the old soil, trim the roots and replant it in a new pot.

2. How to prune bougainvillea

1. Pruning time

Spring pruning: In early spring from March to April, the plants enter the growth period, and pruning can promote the growth of new branches. Autumn pruning Autumn pruning helps to shape the plants and reduce nutrient consumption.

Post-flowering pruning should be carried out within one month after the end of the flowering period to remove the remaining flowers and weak branches. Winter pruning: During the winter dormancy period (December to January of the following year), moderate pruning is carried out to clean up dead branches.

2. Pruning method

Remove all dead, weak, crossing and inward-growing branches. Prune branches that are too long or too dense as needed to maintain the beautiful shape of the plant. Make sure there is enough space between branches to allow for air circulation and light. For shrub-type bougainvillea, cut the main branches short to 1/3 to 1/2 to promote side branch growth and flowering. After flowering, cut off the first pair of leaves below the flowers to encourage new flower buds to form.

The above are the key points for maintaining Bougainvillea. Through reasonable maintenance and pruning, Bougainvillea can maintain a good growth state and bloom more luxuriant flowers.