How to Prune and Shape Bougainvillea? Detailed Methods and Techniques

Bougainvillea has a high branching rate and is also a vine, so to maintain its graceful tree shape it needs frequent pruning and shaping. Generally, pruning can be done twice a year. One is combined with repotting, cutting off overly dense branches, weak branches, diseased and pest-affected branches, and leggy branches from the base. The retained branches should also have their top shoots cut off. The other is to thin out branches appropriately before new shoots grow after flowering, cutting away dead branches, overly dense branches and inner branches, while for horizontal branches only the top portion is cut off, so as to keep the tree shape well balanced. During the growth of new shoots, their top shoots should also be cut off in time to encourage more new branches, so that more flower buds can form and abundant flowering is ensured year after year. Through such repeated pruning, a rounded crown with many branches and dense flowers and a graceful shape can be formed. After 5-6 years of growth, it also needs to be cut back (leaving only 2-3 buds at the base of each branch) or renewed once. Bougainvillea can also be shaped in combination with pruning, making a "trellis", that is, using bamboo strips or galvanized wire to make an oblong frame over the pot, then after straightening out the flowering branches, tying them to it with fine string, preferably so that the frame is not exposed.

Bougainvillea is native to Brazil in South America. During cultivation, leaf drop often occurs. The main causes of bougainvillea leaf drop are: (1) Bougainvillea is a strongly sun-loving plant and likes ample sunlight. If it is placed in a shaded environment, leaf drop is likely to occur. (2) In hot seasons, insufficient water supply or excessive watering in winter can both easily cause leaf drop. Therefore, watering should be done as appropriately as possible. (3) Bougainvillea likes a warm and humid climate, and its suitable growth temperature is between 20°C and 30°C. If the winter room temperature is below 12°C or fluctuates up and down, some leaves are also likely to fall off. (4) Applying unrotted organic fertilizer or liquid fertilizer that is too concentrated can easily damage the roots, causing leaf scorch and drop, and even the death of the whole plant. Therefore, fully rotted fertilizer must be applied, and the method of "light fertilizer applied frequently" should be used.