How to prune bougainvillea after flowering to increase blooming
This article introduces how to prune bougainvillea after flowering to increase blooming and the correct pruning methods for bougainvillea in winter, as well as knowledge about flowers. Please see the detailed introduction below.
Bougainvillea is a type of flowering plant that many people cultivate. It blooms beautifully with a very long flowering period, capable of blooming for one to two months at a time and can bloom in multiple seasons, following one bloom with another. However, many people do not know how to prune bougainvillea properly, and improper pruning can lead to fewer blooms and an unattractive plant shape. Today, Xiaoqi will again explain the pruning method after bougainvillea blooms. We must remember to make "three cuts" — this is something experts do, and proper pruning will result in sturdy new shoots and larger, more vibrant blooms, extending the flowering period.
1. Prune long branches
Bougainvillea blooms continuously as the branches grow, allowing it to flower for one to two months. After flowering, the blooming branches grow very long, and these long branches should be pruned. If not pruned in time, the top of the branch will continue to grow,开花 from the top, leaving the lower part of the stem bare with only leaves, which is unsightly and makes the plant look unattractive. Therefore, when pruning, we should cut the long branches short.
As for how to cut the long branches short, we should do so based on the overall shape of the plant. If the plant looked good before flowering, we can simply cut from the position of the last pruning, leaving four to six leaves. This will leave four to six bud points, which can grow at least two to six new shoots. These new shoots will produce more flower buds, resulting in more and more vibrant blooms.
2. Prune dead and diseased branches
During the care of bougainvillea, some branches naturally wither, while others may develop diseases such as powdery mildew, pest infestations, or sooty mold. After flowering, these branches should be cut off at the root. This ensures that the new growth is healthy and robust, enhancing the plant's flowering ability. Diseased branches should be disposed of properly to prevent re-infection and potential spread to other plants.
How to prune bougainvillea after flowering to increase blooming
3. Prune thin and weak branches
Bougainvillea can bloom with any bud point, but some branches are very thin and weak. If allowed to bloom, the resulting new shoots will also be thin and weak, resulting in small blooms or even the buds falling off after they emerge. Therefore, there is no need to keep these branches; they should be cut off. This allows new shoots to grow from stronger branches, resulting in larger and more vibrant blooms since the nutrients are concentrated in the thicker branches.
This is the method for pruning bougainvillea after flowering. Experts will directly prune using the three-cut method, followed by proper flower stimulation. Generally, placing the plant in sunlight for at least eight hours a day and supplementing with a fertilizer high in phosphorus and other essential elements every ten days will result in rapid bud growth.
Some gardening enthusiasts say that after pruning their bougainvillea, the leaves turn yellow. What should they do? There are two situations: one is when the leaves turn yellow and fall off entirely, which is usually due to excessive use of phosphorus fertilizer, such as long-term use of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. After pruning, it is recommended to supplement with a balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to provide adequate nutrients and prevent leaf drop.
Others say their bougainvillea leaves have green veins but yellow elsewhere, which is caused by alkalinity. In some areas in the north, alkaline water can prevent bougainvillea from absorbing iron in the soil, leading to iron deficiency yellowing. When this is noticed, it's essential to water with chelated iron and spray the leaves to ensure the new leaves are green. Supplementing with chelated iron once a month can maintain lush green leaves and a healthier plant.
This is the method for pruning bougainvillea and dealing with yellow leaves. If you encounter these issues, follow Xiaoqi's advice to ensure your bougainvillea blooms in multiple seasons.
The above content (Green Plant Enthusiast Website) introduces how to prune bougainvillea after flowering to increase blooming and the correct pruning methods for bougainvillea in winter. We hope it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!