How to prune potted bougainvillea? These methods are worth remembering

Bougainvillea is a flower with particularly vivid colors. Because of the display of brilliantly colored bracts, it gives people a feeling of boldness and warmth, and it is also named Hechunhong. So what are the pruning methods for potted bougainvillea?

1. Growth habits of potted bougainvillea

Bougainvillea belongs to the woody vine-like shrub of the Nyctaginaceae family and the genus Bougainvillea. It is also called room flower, Jiuchongge, Hechunhong, Le Dujuan, etc., and is native to tropical America.

The suitable growth humidity for bougainvillea is 20-30°C. It likes a warm, humid climate and an environment with sufficient sunlight. It requires sufficient light. In the Yangtze River basin and areas to the north, it is all maintained in pots. It has no strict requirements for soil, but it can grow vigorously in fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam.

2. Pruning methods for potted bougainvillea

It is best to prune in spring. According to the growth condition of the bougainvillea, cut off dry, diseased, and weaker flowering branches, which can promote new branches. During the growing period, pinch promptly so that the bougainvillea can grow more luxuriantly instead of growing leggy. After the flowering period, remove faded flowers promptly. If the potted bougainvillea needs to be shaped, it can also be tied and supported with stakes.

Bougainvillea generally uses layering as its propagation method, that is, selecting healthy branches on the mother bougainvillea plant that are thicker than a chopstick tip.

When selecting branches, pay attention to two points:

First, after rooting, it is convenient to cut or saw it off from the mother plant;

Second, the upper part of the branch should have 2 to 3 slender branches with a certain number of leaves, so as to carry out photosynthesis, produce organic nutrients, and transport them downward, which is beneficial for rooting.

After selecting the branch, at the part of the branch estimated to be in the center of the nutrient pot, use a small knife to make a girdle cut around the branch, removing a ring of bark. The depth should reach the xylem, exposing the xylem, and the length should be about 0.7 cm to 1 cm.

Then, according to the thickness of the selected branch, take a black soft nutrient pot with a diameter of about 10 cm to 15 cm. First cut open any one side of the nutrient pot from top to bottom, then cut a total of 5 to 7 small holes around the lower part and bottom of the nutrient pot for drainage and observation. Then place the nutrient pot over the branch so that the girdled part of the branch is located at the upper 1/3 of the nutrient pot and in the center of the nutrient pot.