Illustrated method for pruning bougainvillea
This comprehensive analysis of the illustrated method for pruning bougainvillea and the precautions for correct pruning will surely be of help to you. Let's learn about it together!
Bougainvillea, scientifically known as Bougainvillea spectabilis, is a woody vines-like shrub of the Nyctaginaceae family. Its stems are spiny and covered with dense villi. The leaves are alternate, ovate in shape, and covered with thick villi. The flowers are small, yellow-green in color, and often mistaken for petals due to their three red bracts. The blooming period is long, from November to June of the following year. Moreover, with proper pruning, it can rebloom during the National Day holiday.
I. Timely pruning of diseased and weak branches
After the bougainvillea flowers, it consumes a lot of nutrients and its resistance decreases, making it prone to diseases. At this time, all diseased branches should be cut to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce nutrient consumption. Also, weak branches should be pruned because they are unlikely to bloom but still consume nutrients. Removing them allows nutrients to be supplied to the flowering branches, which is conducive to reblooming.
II. Pinching the top of the rapid-growing young branches
After the bougainvillea finishes flowering, it will enter a new growth period. It is important to pay attention to the young branches. If they grow rapidly, are thick, have large leaves, and have long internodes, it indicates a tendency to elongate, which is very detrimental to blooming. To prevent young branches from consuming more nutrients, it is necessary to pinch the top, cutting off the top bud of the young branch, and if too long, it can also be shortened appropriately.
III. Thinning dense branches
As the blooming period of bougainvillea ends in June, after experiencing the growth of spring and summer, its branches have become quite dense. It is necessary to thin them appropriately. Dense branches can affect ventilation and light penetration, possibly allowing bacteria to thrive inside and cause diseases, which is not conducive to growth. Cutting off inner branches, crossing branches, overlapping branches, etc., creates a more spacious growth environment and also helps it receive more light, which is beneficial for reblooming.
Illustrated method for pruning bougainvillea
IV. The most important pruning is for flowering branches
To make bougainvillea rebloom as soon as possible, pruning of the flowering branches is particularly important. Flowering branches are divided into two types: those with a good top bud and those without a top bud. For those with a top bud, the pruning should not be too severe, and it can even be left unpruned. Just remove the残花 (remaining flowers) to avoid wasting nutrients. For those without a top bud, cut two leaves below the flower stem, and if the branch is too long, it can be cut shorter, allowing new buds to grow at the wound. If not pruned, the branches will find it difficult to recover.
Supplement
In addition to moderate pruning, bougainvillea needs to be given appropriate sunlight so that the plant can accumulate nutrients through photosynthesis. It also needs a little phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which helps with blooming. Moreover, water should be controlled; too much water makes it difficult to bloom.
The methods introduced above for the illustrated method for pruning bougainvillea and the precautions for correct pruning are for reference and suggestion.