HOW TO PROPAGATE BOUGAINVILLEA FROM CUTTINGS (STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE)

Bougainvillea is a magnificent flowering plant that brings vibrant colors to the garden. It is a beautiful plant that can be grown in a pot or directly in the ground. Below we show you the step-by-step procedure to propagate bougainvillea from cuttings and all subsequent care.

PROPAGATE BOUGAINVILLEA FROM CUTTINGS STEP BY STEP

STEP 1: SOIL – THE ROOTING MEDIUM

The rooting medium should not retain water. So that the soil does not retain water, add river sand in equal parts to the mixture.

Place the substrate in a small pot with several holes in the bottom so that it drains well and water well. Turn the soil over and water again so that all parts of the soil are moist.

STEP 2: OBTAIN CUTTINGS

Both semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings can be used for bougainvillea propagation.

You can take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, when the temperature is around 20°C.

In places where the temperature is still low, hardwood cuttings should be taken for winter propagation.

Cut a stem about 15 to 20 cm from the mother plant just below a node (protuberances in the wood) with a sharp knife or pruning shears. This will have 5-7 nodes where maximum of the plant’s natural growth hormones are present.

STEP 3: PREPARATION OF THE CUTTINGS

Remove all the bottom leaves and cut the top ones in half. Cut the bottom at a 45-degree angle and lightly scrape the bottom tip of the stem.

It is possible to root bougainvillea cuttings in water, but it will take a long time and the success rate will be low. The procedure below will root bougainvillea cuttings successfully.

STEP 4: PLANT THE BOUGAINVILLEA CUTTINGS

Make a hole in the soil of the pot by inserting a thick stick like a pencil that reaches up to half a centimeter from the base. Dip the bottom of the cutting into rooting hormone (optional).

Place the cutting in the hole and secure it by pressing the soil around it with your hand. You can also introduce more cuttings. I usually put 4-5 cuttings in the same pot.

If you had previously wetted the soil as indicated above, it is not necessary to do it again at this point.

Cover the pot with a transparent nylon bag. You can also put a transparent plastic cup or cut a 2-liter bottle at the bottom and put it on top of the pot.

The bag forms a mini greenhouse that retains moisture inside, maintaining an ideal humid atmosphere.

Place the pot out of direct sunlight, but in bright indirect light.

You will notice water droplets due to the humidity inside the bag, they will fall back to the ground. So you won’t need to water the pot for a long time until the roots start to form.

Open the bag every 10-12 days and sprinkle a little water on the soil if it seems dry. Too much water will rot the cutting.

Bougainvillea cuttings take between seven and ten weeks to take root depending on the temperature. In colder locations, application of bottom heat stimulates growth.

When leaves begin to appear, it indicates that the rooting process is about to begin.

When 4 to 6 pairs of leaves appear, look at the bottom of the pot, you will notice that there are new roots coming out of the holes.

At this time place the pot in indirect sun for 2 more weeks. Now water the pot lightly daily.

Move the pot to a place where it will receive morning sun and keep it there for a week. Next, move it to a place where it receives more light, for example mid-day. After a week, place the pot in full sun.

STEP 5: TRANSPLANTING ROOTED BOUGAINVILLEA CUTTINGS

The ideal is to carry out the transplant in spring or autumn. Tap the pot on all sides to loosen the soil. Carefully invert the pot over the palm of your hand, keeping the cuttings between your fingers, and remove the cuttings. Replant the cuttings in another larger pot or in the garden soil.

BOUGAINVILLEA CARE

Now that you have learned how to propagate bougainvillea from cuttings, it is time to know its care, it is not a very demanding plant, so with this care you will have a beautiful bougainvillea in your home.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

Bougainvilleas love well-drained but moisture-retentive soil to support their extremely fine and tender root system. Garden centers sell pre-mixed growing media specific for bougainvillea.

If you can’t find a substrate, you can make your own by mixing equal parts garden soil, well-decomposed compost, and river sand

WHERE TO PLANT BOUGAINVILLEA

Bougainvillea, a tropical plant, thrives in full sun, at least 5 hours a day of direct sunlight is needed for good flowering, the more the better.

It tolerates low temperatures, but the leaves and bracts can wither at temperatures below 4.5° C. The plant can suffer serious damage at these temperatures if kept for a long time.

Plants grown indoors in partial shade will only have vegetative growth, but will not flower, so try to place it near a window that receives sunlight.

If you live in a cold area, you can plant it in a pot and bring it indoors during the winter. Indoors, the plant will survive the elements outside.

IRRIGATION

Water sparingly, as bougainvilleas produce too many leaves instead of flowers with too much water.

Excessive watering can cause rot and weakening of the plant.

If the plant receives too much water when the small shoots of new growth appear, the shoot will fall off and a thorn will develop in its place.

To induce flowering, allow the plant to dry and wilt for a few hours, then water.

PASS

Bougainvilleas are heavy feeders and require regular monthly feeding during the flowering season.

If you feed your bougainvillea a fertilizer with an N:P:K ratio of 10:10:10, the plant will produce excessive green growth without flowering.

If you add iron in chelate form to the soil, it will get a beautiful, vibrant color. A fertilizer rich in potassium will produce colorful blooms.

Liquid fertilizers are more effective and easier to apply than solid ones. Consider fertilizing your bougainvillea with a homemade fertilizer based on comfrey tea, which has a high potassium content.

PRUNING

Since bougainvillea usually blooms on new shoots, you should prune any branches that have finished blooming. Pruning will force the plant to produce new shoots and flower.

Bougainvilleas need heavy pruning to force flowering and maintain their shape. There is no specific time to prune bougainvillea, but it is best to do it after flowering.

Since new flowers develop on new growth, the more you prune them, the more new growth will be encouraged.

The tips of new growth on a new bougainvillea should be pruned every few weeks to give it a busier shape.

PLAGUES AND DISEASES

Bougainvillea does not usually have pests. We have not seen any aphids or other pests on our bougainvillea plants.