Detailed Guide to Bougainvillea Cuttings Propagation, Beginners Can Learn It Too
Bougainvillea, also known as paperflower, is a vine-like shrub in the Nyctaginaceae family. Its ornamental value is very high, and today it is mostly grown as a flowering potted plant to decorate homes. Bougainvillea also has medicinal effects in dispersing dysentery and reducing swelling, and its cultivated area in our country is currently quite large. So how should bougainvillea be propagated from cuttings? Below, the editor brings you the cutting propagation method for bougainvillea. Let's take a look!
1. Preliminary Preparation
Before taking cuttings, we must first select the cutting branches, giving priority to robust branches free of pests and diseases. Whether softwood or hardwood, both can be used for bougainvillea cuttings. Generally, it is best to use perennial hardwood branches for cuttings. This is because bougainvillea hardwood branches have relatively strong growth capacity, form callus tissue quickly, and have a higher survival rate compared with softwood cuttings. Moreover, if the hardwood branch carries latent flower buds, 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 planted directly. We still need to treat the branches to further increase their rooting rate. Keep each branch about 20 cm long, then retain about 2-3 leaves at the top and cut off the excess leaves. This prevents excessive water loss and affects the survival rate of the cuttings. Then trim the bottom cut end of the cutting into a smooth cut to facilitate the growth of the cutting. Next, soak the cutting in rooting agent for about a quarter of an hour to increase the rooting rate, then remove it, let it dry, and begin planting.
3. Timely Cutting
Before cutting, prepare the cutting medium; a mixture of coarse and fine river sand is best, with good permeability and strong water retention. Then, after treating the cuttings, insert them directly into the medium to about 2/3 of their length, then water thoroughly. Then prevent direct sunlight and provide a certain amount of shade. If cutting in spring or autumn, water appropriately once a day. In summer, because the temperature is higher, water twice a day, while in winter, control the amount of watering. Generally, after about one month, the cuttings 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 bacteria content in it. This can be done by sun exposure, pouring boiling water, or using disinfectants such as potassium permanganate to ensure normal growth of bougainvillea. Then pay attention to fertilisation after cutting; do not apply unfermented farmyard manure or high-concentration chemical fertiliser, as this easily burns the roots and causes the death of bougainvillea cuttings. The fertilisation principle should be to apply more frequently but in small amounts. Then pay attention to temperature control; the temperature should not be too high, otherwise water evaporates too quickly and affects rooting of the cuttings. Finally, pay attention to the water content of the medium; it should not be too high, as this easily breeds various bacteria and causes the plant leaves to turn yellow.
The above is a brief introduction to the bougainvillea cutting propagation method. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help you!