Bougainvillea is commonly propagated through cuttings because it has a high success rate and is very simple to do. Many flower enthusiasts prefer to propagate bougainvillea directly using this method. So how do you propagate bougainvillea through cuttings? Let's find out below.
1. Branch selection
Select robust, disease-free, current-year shoots, about 10-15 cm long, cut at an angle at the bottom, and retain 2-3 leaves at the top.
2. Prepare scions
Insert the cut cuttings into clean water and soak for 1-2 hours to allow them to fully absorb water. Then, make a smooth slant cut at the bottom of the cutting and soak it in rooting hormone to promote root growth.
3. Cutting medium
Bougainvillea prefers loose, well-draining soil. Therefore, a mixture of coarse river sand, mountain soil, honeycomb briquette ash, and sandy soil in a 1:1:1:1 ratio is generally suitable, with 0.1% carbendazim added for disinfection of the cutting substrate.
4. Cutting time
The best time to propagate bougainvillea by cuttings is in spring and early summer, generally from March to June. Autumn is also a good time to take cuttings, with a relatively high success rate.
5. Cuttings propagation
Insert the treated cuttings into the growing medium to a depth of about 4-6 cm, make holes in the soil, water thoroughly, and then move them to a shady place for care. Roots will develop in about 20-30 days after cutting.
6. Maintenance and Management
(1) Light control: Bougainvillea cuttings need appropriate sunlight, but direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent the cuttings from losing too much water and affecting rooting and survival.
(2) Temperature management: Bougainvillea cuttings need to be kept at a suitable temperature. Generally speaking, the most suitable temperature is around 20-25℃.
(3) Water and fertilizer points: After transplanting, bougainvillea cuttings need to be watered appropriately to keep the soil moist. At the same time, appropriate fertilization is also needed to promote plant growth. Generally speaking, we can choose organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer and apply it once every 1-2 months.
