Don't throw away the branches you prune from your bougainvillea - stick them in soil and next year the branches will be covered in blooms

Cutting propagation: Insert healthy bougainvillea branches into soil, then cover the pot with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss, and finally place the pot in a spot with indirect light. Air layering propagation: Wrap soil around the branch you want to air layer, then wrap it with a plastic bag; once the branch has grown roots, it can be planted.

1. Cutting propagation

Before taking cuttings, you need to prepare in advance. First is the soil - you can prepare sandy soil, or add some perlite or peat to the soil. Then prepare the pot - an ordinary plastic pot or clay pot will do. The last thing to prepare, and also the most important thing in the cutting process, is the branch - choose a healthy branch that grew this year.

Insert the branch 7-8 cm into the soil, leaving the part with leaves exposed above the soil. After taking the cutting, water it thoroughly, then cover the pot with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss, and finally place the pot in a spot with indirect light.

2. Air layering propagation

① The advantage of this method is that it is relatively easy to keep alive. As long as the roots are not damaged, a branch that has grown new roots will generally develop into a new plant after being cut off and planted. Another advantage is that it is relatively easy to shape. Once a branch propagated by air layering is planted in a new pot, with proper pruning it will quickly grow into a beautiful bonsai-style flowering plant.

② First, at a point about two cun above where the branch to be air layered connects to the parent plant, use a knife to make a ring cut through the outer bark about 3 mm wide. Wrap soil around the branch, then wrap it with a plastic bag, and tie both ends of the plastic bag tightly to prevent moisture loss. If the soil dries out, replenish the moisture promptly. After about a month, you will see many roots growing on the branch, and at that point you can cut the branch off and plant it.