Regular pruning is essential for successfully cultivating a bougainvillea - for several reasons. In this article you will learn how to keep your decorative climbing plants healthy and in good shape.

Bougainvillea should be pruned before and after hibernation

Why does the bougainvillea need regular pruning?

First of all, Bougainvillea is a fast-growing plant. So it goes without saying that in the domesticated culture it has to be stopped at regular intervals. As with other plants, the cut also serves to rejuvenate and strengthen. In addition, the bougainvillea is a particularly decorative garden plant and the cut is therefore a "mere formality". Depending on whether you want to keep them as a tree with a trunk, as a shrub or as a tall climbing espalier, a gradual sharpening of the contours is necessary.

The reasons for cutting at a glance:

  • Rapid growth of bougainvillea needs to be disciplined
  • Pruning rejuvenates and strengthens the plant
  • intensification of the cultural form

The ideal cutting frequency

So how often should you give your bougainvillea a rejuvenating and shaping trim? Due to their hibernation, which is necessary in our latitudes, pruning before and after the vegetative rest period is recommended.

Before the winter break

Before moving into the winter accommodation, a reduction is usually necessary for reasons of space alone. Also, if you've let the bougainvillea climb outside over the summer, its tendrils will have to be detached from the wall or railing, which will cost them substance anyway. In any case, shorten all long shoots for wintering.

After the winter break

If you bring out the bougainvillea again in the spring, you can give it a finer cut. Now it's time to remove any dead branches and contour them depending on your preferred crop form. If you want to keep them as a tree, prune the growth below the crown. As a shrub, you can give it a few precise shape cuts depending on your favorite silhouette. In espalier culture, the vertical length is the measure of the pruning shape.

Beware of thorns and too much pruning

Since the bougainvillea is thorny, caring for the cut is of course a difficult task. So equip yourself with sturdy gauntlet gloves and durable clothing before the action. You should also be careful not to cut back too much. In view of the comparatively low light conditions here, that would be a shame for the entire lifespan of the bougainvillea.

Category:

Indoor plants