Is it possible to propagate bougainvillea branches? This method will make your garden and balcony beautiful in no time.
Is it possible to propagate bougainvillea branches quickly and easily, resulting in a fragrant and colorful garden? There are several techniques and methods to copy, thanks to the many tips from expert nurserymen who have focused on this task. Obviously, if you don’t have a minimum of green thumb and dexterity, it’s best to get some step-by-step help.
Propagating Bougainvillea Branches: Expert Tips
Bouganvillea is part of the large Nyctaginaceae family . In Italy it is a true symbol, so much so that it beautifies gardens and terraces with its beautiful colors. The peak flowering period is from summer to autumn. For those who love flowers, it is certainly the perfect plant to give a touch of light and color to the environment. Its flowers, for the uninitiated, are small colored bracts that embrace the central flowers of the cream or yellow shade.
Propagate bougainvillea branches
The plant is a climber , so it is important to provide all kinds of support so that it is comfortable along the planned structure. Expert nurserymen confirm that it is possible to propagate bougainvillea with some special techniques, using only cuttings. What do you need to propagate this beautiful plant? Sharp, sterilized scissors, a sheet of transparent plastic, and a container filled with sand and peat.
Rooting and multiplication of the plant
Bougainvillea cuttings can only be obtained from already developed, already flowering, and also well-developed (healthy) plants. Proceed by taking a cutting of approximately 15 cm, only from a mature branch located below the node. The scissors to be used must be disinfected and sharp, cutting the branch perpendicularly and not abruptly.
Now you take a container that is easy to pick up and move, a large plastic pot and a seedling tray. The container should be half filled with coarse sand, while the other half should be filled with peat moss . Using a pen, you will need to make holes all over the soil, corresponding to the cuttings to be grown. Continue by removing all the basal leaves from the cuttings, later inserting them into the holes that have been created. From one cutting to the other there should be 15cm of space , compacting the soil and misting. Take the ready plastic sheet – transparent – and place the vase inside a veranda if possible, or in a dry place – closed and bright. Experts also recommend using a phytostimulant substance, which helps it form roots in a healthy and fast way.
Bougainvillea in bloom
You can also buy rooting hormone (promote rooting), which helps the cuttings grow and form optimally. Obviously, the soil must be constantly moist, but without getting the cutting wet. The ideal water is non-calcareous tap water, with a 24-hour rest period. Rooting takes about a month, taking care to remove condensation from the plastic cover every morning. After this period, the plant can be transferred to a larger pot and a bright area.