How to Prune Bougainvillea Buttiana

Bougainvillea x buttiana is a common bougainvillea hybrid obtained from crossing B. peruviana and B. glabra. This bougainvillea is prized for its rounded, red to dark pink floral bracts surrounding cream or pink flowers as well as a tendency to bloom several times throughout the year. Regular, proper pruning is necessary, as bougainvillea produce flowers on new growth. Without pruning to promote bushiness, this bougainvillea hybrid has an open, leggy growth habit.

Sterile pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Cut all of the bougainvillea's lateral shoots to within two or three buds from the main stems after flowering has finished. This will induce new growth where flowers will develop. Make the cuts with sterile pruning shears.
- 2
  Cut out unnecessary shoots within the body of the plant or especially vigorous shoots at the top of the plant. This will prevent overcrowding and maintain a bushy shape.
- 3
  Prune suckers or particularly vigorous new growth coming out of the plant base back to the ground to encourage growth in the upper portions of the plant.
- 4
  Cut out dead, diseased or damaged wood as it appears.
- 5
  Pinch off the first blooms that appear at the tips of branches to encourage blooming along the entire branch.
- 6
  Reduce the plant size, after several blooming sessions, by cutting off about the top 1/3 of the plant and removing all spindly or undesirable growth.

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