How to propagate bougainvillea by cuttings? A detailed guide to the latest cutting method
Bougainvillea is also called paperflower, and it is a climbing shrub plant in the Nyctaginaceae family. The ornamental value of bougainvillea is very high, and nowadays it is mostly used as a flowering potted plant to decorate rooms. Bougainvillea also has the medicinal effect of relieving dysentery and reducing swelling, and its cultivation area in our country is still very large. So how should bougainvillea be propagated by cuttings when cultivating it? Below, the editor brings you the cutting method for bougainvillea, let's take a look!
1. Preliminary preparation
Before cutting, we must first select the cutting branches, giving priority to robust branches free of pests and diseases. Whether softwood or hardwood branches, both can be used for bougainvillea cuttings. In general, it is best to use perennial hardwood branches for cuttings. This is because the growth capacity of bougainvillea hardwood branches is relatively strong, the callus tissue forms quickly, and the survival rate is also relatively higher than that of softwood branches. Moreover, if the hardwood branch carries latent flower buds, then it will begin to bloom within a short time after cutting. Therefore, when selecting branches, it is best to choose hardwood branches with strong growth capacity.
2. Branch treatment
After selecting the branches, they cannot be cut directly. We also need to treat the branches to further increase the rooting rate of the branches. Keep the length of each branch at about 20 cm, then retain about 2-3 leaves at the top, and cut off excess leaves. This prevents excessive water consumption and affects the survival rate of the cuttings. Then trim the cutting base at the bottom into a smooth cut to facilitate the growth of the cutting. Then soak the cutting in rooting agent for about a quarter of an hour to increase the rooting rate, take it out and let it dry, and then cutting can begin.
3. Cutting at the right time
Before cutting, prepare the cutting medium, preferably a mixture of coarse and fine river sand, which has good permeability and strong water retention capacity. Then after treating the cutting, insert the cutting directly into the medium to about 2/3 of its length, then pour in sufficient water. Then prevent direct sunlight and provide a certain amount of shade. If cutting in spring and autumn, then water appropriately once a day. In summer, because the temperature is relatively high, water twice a day, while in winter, control the amount of watering well. Generally, after about one month before and after, the cutting can take root, but if the temperature is too low, it will affect the survival rate of bougainvillea.
4. Points to note
Before cutting, we should disinfect the medium to reduce the bacterial content in the medium. It can be disinfected by sun exposure, pouring boiling water, or using disinfectants such as potassium permanganate, to ensure the normal growth of bougainvillea. Then pay attention to fertilization after cutting. Do not apply undecomposed farmyard manure or highly concentrated chemical fertilizer, as it easily burns the roots and causes the death of bougainvillea cuttings. The fertilization principle should be to apply more frequently in small amounts. Then pay attention to controlling the temperature. The temperature should not be too high, otherwise water evaporates too quickly and affects the rooting of the cuttings. Finally, pay attention to the water content of the medium. It should not be too high, as it easily breeds various bacteria and causes the plant leaves to turn yellow.
The above is a brief introduction to the cutting method for bougainvillea. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!