The cutting should have at least 7 nodes on it to produce a healthy plant. [3] X Expert Source Monique CapanelliPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 22 September 2020. Wear gardening gloves and eye protection when you take a cutting. Take semi-ripe or hardwood for your cuttings rather than younger sections that are still green. The best time to take cuttings from bougainvillea is late-spring to mid-summer, when growth is most rapid and abundant. Getting bougainvillea to root can be tricky. Consider taking multiple cuttings to give yourself more than one shot if your first attempt fails. You can cut back as much as a third of the plant’s growth without worrying about harming it. Sterilize your gardening tools with rubbing alcohol before and after you take a cutting.
Make sure you remove at least half of the leaves from the stem. This will help ensure that all of the plant’s resources are being used to form new roots. If you’re not planning on rooting your bougainvillea right away, wrap your cuttings in a damp paper towel and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic bag. This will keep them from drying out for 1-2 weeks.
Rooting hormone can be found at most major gardening centers, greenhouses, and plant nurseries. It’s also sometimes known as “rooting acid. ” You can also try making your own rooting hormone at home using ingredients like apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, honey, or crushed Aspirin.
When using a packaged soil, consider mixing in ⅓ perlite, vermiculite, or horticultural grit to promote proper drainage. [8] X Research source You’ll only be caring for your bougainvillea in this container until it takes root, so a pot as small as 2–3 inches (5. 1–7. 6 cm) will work just fine.
Inserting the stem into the soil at a slight angle may help more of the existing nodes sprout into roots. [10] X Research source Use only one cutting per pot to provide plenty of room for growth and prevent competition.
Be careful not to overwater your bougainvillea cutting. Too much moisture could inhibit the rooting process, or even lead to more harmful complications like rotting or fungal disease.
Seal the bag by tying or zipping, if possible. Otherwise, it should be okay to simply drape the plastic cover over the top of the pot and make sure the bottom is weighted and secure. You can also use a cloche or coldframe, if you have access to one. [13] X Research source
In most cases, it’s better to wait until numerous offshoots begin appearing along the stem than to risk uprooting it too early.
There’s no need to water the cutting the way you would a seedling, as the roots are not yet fully developed.
Situating your bougainvillea in direct sunlight before it’s ready could kill it, leaving you with nothing to show for your efforts.
Rapid fluctuations in temperature can also be hard on young cuttings, even if they’re relatively modest. Bougainvillea is most comfortable at the same temperatures you are. For this reason, the inside of your home will generally be the best place for it.
Plant your bougainvillea in spring or summer so it will have time to establish itself before winter arrives. [19] X Research source Your cutting’s container or plot should be at least twice as large as its growing root system to give it plenty of room to spread out comfortably. Once established, bougainvillea doesn’t respond well to having its roots disturbed. If you want to transplant a growing shrub a second time, it may be best to just purchase a new one.
