Can Bougainvillea Survive with Its Main Stem Cut Off?
Core Content of This Article: Discussing whether bougainvillea can survive after its main stem is cut off, and detailed explanations of the conditions under which bougainvillea can survive and pruning methods related to floral knowledge, specifics are as follows:
After the main stem of bougainvillea is cut off, branches can grow from the remaining stem. When the new branches become thicker, the plant can bloom again. Cutting off the main stem is usually done to promote the growth of lateral branches in seedlings, to reshape mature plants, or to prune when transplanting old stocks. Let's introduce the survival conditions of bougainvillea after the main stem is cut off and the pruning methods.
I. Conditions for Survival after Cutting Off the Main Stem
1. Heavy Pruning
Used for plants with poor shapes, cutting off the main stem can promote the sprouting of new buds on the trunk, and new branches can be reshaped after growth.
2. Pruning Seedlings
Initial pruning of seedlings should be done when the seedling height reaches 15 to 25 centimeters by cutting off the main stem, which can survive. By controlling the apical dominance, it can also promote the growth of lateral branches, inhibit the excessive growth of branches and leaves, control the plant height, and achieve the purpose of shaping.
After cutting off the main stem, it is necessary to repeatedly pinch the tips during the vigorous growth period to promote continuous branching, which can also result in more blooms.
3. Pruning Old Stocks
When transplanting old stocks of bougainvillea, all lateral branches and leaves should be cut off, and the main stem should also be cut. Therefore, bougainvillea with the main stem cut off can survive. For example, for plants with a diameter of 5 to 8 centimeters, the main stem can be cut to form an old stock of 40 to 65 centimeters in height.
Usually, in March, transplant the plants without soil around the roots, using a mixture of river sand and loess as the planting medium, or a mixture of decomposed organic fertilizer and coal cinder ash. Soak the old stock in root-promoting solution for a day before potting, then press the soil surface firmly after potting, water thoroughly to settle the roots, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight, keeping the main stem moist.
II. Methods and Care for Cutting Off the Main Stem
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut off the main stem, ensuring the cut surface is smooth. After cutting, seal the cut with paint or wax. Do not water immediately after cutting; wait until the wound is dry before normal care can resume.
III. Daily Pruning Methods for Bougainvillea
Pruning is usually done after the spring sprouting. In early spring, cut short the thicker branches at the bottom, remove any extra branches that do not meet the shaping requirements, prune the spent flowers after blooming, cut short the flowering branches, and thin out weak and overly short branches. In summer, especially remove the excessive growth branches.
The detailed introduction provided above about whether bougainvillea can survive with its main stem cut off, and the specific explanation of the survival conditions and pruning methods for bougainvillea, are for netizens' reference and learning.
```