Choose a location with full sun exposure for at least eight hours per day. Dig a hole deep enough, so the root ball is level with the ground. Bougainvilleas need a bright sunny position, but protection from direct sunlight under glass and a minimum night temperature of 10C (50F). As I noted above in "planting", angle them towards whatever they'll be growing on. Use twine to tie the trunk you have created to the stake, but do not make the binding too tight. Help For Your Outdoor Plants and Landscaping, Why Crape Myrtles Spread and How To Keep Them From Spreading Out, When and What to Expect From Crape Myrtle Blooms This Year, Japanese Maple Companion Plants: 22 Perfect Matches For Your Maple, How to Rid Your Yard of Unwanted Crape Myrtle Plants, Shoots, and Stumps, How to Cut Blooms From Your Bougainvillea for a Vase or Arrangement, How to Propagate a Bougainvillea to Turn One Plant Into Many, How, When, Where and Why to Prune and Trim a Bougainvillea, 5 Tips for Encouraging More Growth From Your Bougainvillea. Bougainvilleas like full sun and lots of heat. Don't try to use one of the miniature or dwarf varieties known for their compact growth habits. Make sure to check with your local nursery before purchasing. Typically, this means applying every two to four weeks through spring and summer. Braid multiple stem together while they are flexible and tie them to the stake to force them to grow together and straight. She is working her way toward certification as a master gardener, and building a lifelong love of nature with her kids. It is possible to train one main bougainvillea stem or allow several to grow and twine them together to form a braided trunk. They are native to Central America, many parts of South America, Spain, and the Caribbean Islands. While this may seem counter-intuitive, the result will be thicker, fuller growth the following season. Select a strong, healthy vine to become the trunk and secure it with a stake and tie. Similarly,how do you shape bougainvillea? Growertoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If a plant wilts because it is too dry, give it some water. It can be challenging to tell the difference between these species because they have very similar traits, and even among the horticultural community, confusion persists. Because of the bougainvillea rapid growth rate, they can be made into a 3- or 4-foot "tree" in as little as three years, depending on the length of the growing season and the vigor of the plant. Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. Pound the wooden stake into the soil approximately 6 inches away from the central shoot you are training as the trunk of the bougainvillea tree. Instead of allowing only one central shoot to grow and cutting all the rest back, allow three central shoots to grow and cut the rest back. Bougainvilleas can be trained up a railing, pole, fence, or garden trellis. It must have well-drained soil or it won't survive. Trim away any slimy, black, or decaying roots, and spray the whole root system with hydrogen peroxide. Training a Bougainvillea to grow as a tree is simpler than you may think. Trimming can be done a few times during the growing season. This should be a sturdy support for your tree as it grows. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! There are many varieties of bougainvillea available, including thornless, giant, dwarf and semidwarf cultivars which could even be grown on a balcony given the right conditions. That's just what Bougainvilleas do in response to heavy pruning. Insert spikes in spring and fall, about 24 to 36 inches away from the trunk of the plant, at the outer edge of the root system. However, they often flower more profusely when stressed, and those in planters will flower well when the roots become crowded. As a flowering hedge, bougainvilleas have no equal for sheer flower power. Pruning back existing growth by a couple of nodes will encourage even more branch development. Bougainvillea can be pruned and trained to grow in containers. One option is to grow your Bougainvillea as a tree or standard. As I mentioned, bougainvillea is both thorny and mildly toxic, and this combination is helpful in keeping tempted critters from sneaking a taste of the foliage. Watch This Video: Related Tags Bougainvillea vines can grow up to 36 inches per year in ideal conditions, becoming very heavy over time. Cut off some new shoots if there are too many. In full sun, this specimen can reach upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed! As your bougainvillea begins to grow, tie the heavier branches to your trellis with twist ties. You can find this cultivar in five- or 15-gallon growers pots from Plants Express, available for purchase if youre located in California. I am not sure if you are asking how to shape the plant or the flower. Using your soft ties, secure the trunk to your post. A bougainvillea that is left to grow in its natural way will typically be around three feet (1m) tall, and it prefers direct sunlight for the best blooms. It's important that once every two years (or yearly depending on your climate and the cultivar), you prune bougainvillea hard, taking back the branches by half. Even though some species can be grown from seed to reproduce the same characteristics of the parent, such as those taken from species specimens rather than hybrids, the easiest way to clone parental traits is by rooting cuttings. If it seems sturdy, it should be good to go. In either case, be sure to water well to settle the transplant into its new home, and make sure excess water drains away. Aphids, leaf miners, scale, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips may pay a visit now and then. The flowers are typically purple or red. He is a selftaught expert and is always eager to learn more. Its so easy to let the imagination run wild and really get creative with bougainvillea. Bougainvillea are often massive plants that sprawl into the tops of trees and over buildings. While the plant doesnt naturally grow as trees do, you can create the look with time, training, and lots of pruning. How to Train Bougainvillea : Great Gardening. This will encourage lateral growth and the bougainvillea tree will fill out and become bushy. Remove vines that are not growing in the direction you want this will not affect flower production. Both plants prefer full sun. Saifuddin (2009) reported that Bougainvillea bract longevity almost 24 days. Input your search keywords and press Enter. In fact, some hybrids are sterile, and rooting cuttings is the only viable means of propagation for home gardeners. Then twine the new shoots along and around the central trunk. Tie the central shoot to the stake with the twine, taking care not to injure the shoot by tying it too tightly. But when the plant starts to get out of control and climb higher as if it was on steroids, you may have some questions about whats going on! Its also safe to plant Thai Delight outdoors in Zones 9 to 11, although it does require frost protection in cooler regions. The flowering bracts will drop on their own. Trim off the top when your trunk reaches your desired height to encourage lateral growth and create a canopy. As new shoots form, trim them off with pruning shears. Copyright 2023 Garden Made Simple - All Rights Reserved. With a little knowledge on their lifecycle and habits, this community-sourced article reveals how these plants become so invasive. Over time, the braided shoots will grow together into an attractive braided trunk. Time for a trim! Some varieties are hardy in cool zones 5 - 6, and others will thrive in zones 9 - 11. Remove new shoots as they grow off the crown and the central trunk by trimming them off with the pruning shears. To submit your questions or ideas, or to simply learn more about CareerTrend, contact us [here](http://careertrend.com/about-us). It should not have young tender growth just as the weather starts turning cold. As a result, she began self-teaching to learn how to grow food, which led to a passion for providing for others in need. However, whenever you buy any plant grown as a standard, youll be paying an upcharge for the time and work to train the plant. Place a sturdy stake of some type well into the soil right next to the bougainvillea plant or push the stake into the pot till it touches the bottom and plant the bougainvillea next to it. Commercially, growers often turn to using tissue cultures to reproduce large quantities of varieties that are more difficult to grow from cuttings. Step Four: Lightly Trim or Pinch Your Bougainvillea. Fertilize once in late winter or early spring with compost or well-rotted manure or a balanced organic balanced fertilizer for blooming perennials. I may have gotten a little carried away as I was writing this for you how could I not? In addition, they are drought-tolerant and disease-resistant. As natives of eastern South America specifically Brazil and the surrounding countries warm, humid growing conditions in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11 are preferred. This is a similar process to what you might do when propagating other woody specimens like roses, camellias, and hibiscus. The chief cause of root rot is the spread of fungal pathogens or oomycetes due to overwatering. Pinch off the ends of vines that are about to bloom. Root rot becomes a concern, and can be deadly, if the substrate remains too damp. Seat it gently in the hole, backfill around it, and water it in well to settle. Prune regularly to maintain the tree shape. The soil in that area should be slightly acidic and well-draining. Stick with me as we discuss that, caretaking tips, and so much more about the paperflower! Pruning into a tree form should be done in stages to avoid removing any more than 30 percent of the total canes at a time. Reference: bougainvillea in pots.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-banner-1-0');Watch This Video: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'growertoday_com-box-4','ezslot_9',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-box-4-0'); Sam is an avid gardener and plant enthusiast. Most Bougainvillea cultivars can be successfully trained to grow as a tree because of their woody structure and vigorous growth. This is a great way to get your plant to fill in if its looking a little sparse. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. A vessel such as this Aeros Ceramic Urn, available in a 17-inch size in white or green from Terrain, is a perfect choice for larger specimens. Pick the location for your hedge. As you remove the infected material, its helpful to clear some space through the thick foliage to allow more airflow. How do I get more flowers on my bougainvillea? Still, some varieties are more well-known for this growth style than others. Bougainvillea is a delightful, tropical flowering plant with vine-like branches that are easy to train to climb trellises. Bougainvillea in pots or in the garden can be grown throughout the year in United States plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, and they are particularly popular in the South and in states like Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Indirect sunlight is best and should be provided for four to six hours per day until growth begins. Once your Bougainvillea tree is growing well, you dont need to do anything special to care for it. 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Use a high-potash fertilizer, such as a hibiscus fertilizer, rather than a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Subscribe Now:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowgardenWatch More:http://www.youtube.com/ehowgardenBougainvillea is a very vigorous growing plant that is normally sold as a vine with a stake. Last Updated on January 30, 2022 if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'growertoday_com-box-3','ezslot_2',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-box-3-0'); Heres a case study in just how much time it can take to turn something beautiful into an ugly, overgrown mess. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Use bougainvillea as a vibrant, colorful groundcover on hillsides. BGI Bougain Bougainvillea Fertilizer is formulated specifically for the needs of these vines, with a 6-8-10 NPK ratio that provides nutrients to support blooming without encouraging excess foliage. Aside from that, rats may nest among the dense foliage because it provides nearly impenetrable cover, protecting their young from predation by owls and other creatures. You can also use threads and clips to change the shape of the young branches. Young plants need to be pruned from the base to force thicker growth. After the first two or three years there should be a beautiful bougainvillea tree to adorn the property. The best time to prune bougainvillea in temperate zones is in the winter, typically just after it has finished blooming or within a few weeks. Avoid touching or squeezing the root system when transplanting as bougainvillea roots can be damaged easily. If planted outside in areas with cold enough winters that it needs protection, don't cut the bougainvillea plant back too late in the season. Don't wait 6 months and then hack it back again or you'll just get huge mega-thorn stems. If the plant starts to grow in an unwanted direction, gently guide it back to the desired position. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Biodegradable pots are best since bougainvillea roots dont like to be disturbed, and theyre brittle, so the risk of damage is significant during transplanting. It can be trained to climb trellises or be planted as an attractive but thornily impenetrable barrier, and it can also serve as a ground cover. Aside from bracts, leaves are green and alternately placed along the long, sprawling canes characteristic of these species. Don't use treated poles as the chemicals will affect the plant. Remove dead wood as it occurs but severe pruning must wait until the plant is semi-dormant in fall or early spring. It should be deep enough that it wont tip over and will be able to support the Bougainvilleas growth. But, you can certainly prune the spent flowers off. Enjoy Your Bougainvillea! Then keep doing that indefinitely! It will have a dense thatch under the new growth. Bougainvillea shrubs can be pruned to achieve all sorts of shapes. Bougainvillea must have well-drained soil, and it prefers acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Give the stake a little wiggle. Most varieties of bougainvillea have very sharp thorns along their branches, making trimming and handling them a prickly endeavor as far as gardening chores go. Just remember that Bougainvillea likes well-draining soil. This will encourage bushier lateral growth. As the bougainvillea does not need to support its own weight, as a free standing tree like an oak does, the bougainvillea does not have a strong root system. Youll also want to check the ties periodically and adjust them as needed. To train your bougainvillea into a tree shape, start when it is young, according to South Florida Plant Guide. What You Need to Know, South Floriad Plant Guide: Bougainvillea Tree, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. That way, you can enjoy this blooming beauty without committing to too much space. Dwarf varieties are hard to come by until recently, there was only one available, the deep magenta Helen Johnson., But now, with the introduction of the Sunvillea series, there are more options! In the absence of rain, supply a deep watering when the soil feels dry just below the surface. Try picking the strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk; this can grow freely. How, When and Why to Fertilize A Bougainvillea in a Pot or the Ground, The Best Natural Options for Fertilizing Your Bougainvillea, Two-gallon pot (if not planting in the ground). Once the stem or stems to be trained start growing out, tie them to the stake using soft cloth ties or old nylon stockings. Also known as a standard, a Bougainvillea tree has a bare trunk growing upward and a bushy canopy on top. A bougainvillea can even be trained as a bonsai. Shrubs can be shaped to resemble an azalea in bloom, or shaped into a short tree to act as the focal point in a bed or mass planting. Still, for some people, getting a Bougainvillea tree is well worth the added cost without having to wait and work for it. Bougainvillea is an evergreen vining shrub that can be trained to grow in a variety of shapes. Then, let it grow! This means more foliage, more leaves, and an overall fuller appearance. It just takes time, patience, and constant pruning to remove unwanted branches from your Bougainvilleas developing trunk. There are a few key factors to keep in mind, and well cover them all. If you don't want a plant that big, you can purchase a smaller variety or dwarf cultivar. Four- to six-inch plants can be purchased from Amazon. Prune your plant throughout the year, but especially in the late winter before the new growth cycle. Its a good idea to set the stake first, so you dont damage the plants roots. In colder zones, it will go dormant when brought in for winter and will bloom mainly in summer. Bougainvilleas grown in cooler climates will need protection in winter by either bringing them indoors or covering those outdoors planted in a protected spot against a south-facing wall. Cultivate fertile, acidic, humus filled soil that drains well. With a 9-12-12 NPK ratio, theyll boost color and blooming without contributing to foliage overgrowth and last for months. More frequent, shallow watering will not work as well for these plants. (The tree in the video has two 'trunks' because the base just grew like this. Bougainvillea is hard to grow from cuttings, but if you fancy having a go, take cuttings of healthy young shoots in spring. Note, however, that theyre fast-growing, sometimes putting on more than 24 inches of length per year. Start the canopys growth by pinching or trimming off the terminal bud at the top of the vine. How to prune a Bougainvillea thicket into a stunning tree: Text instructions + video results Finchesca 9.85K subscribers 62K views 10 years ago This gorgeous Bougainvillea 'tree' started. Choose a dwarf variety for easy container care or bonsai. It's growing in extremely heavy clay soil. And, boy, do I mean vigorous! As you prune, you can gently wrap new shoots around the structure to which the plant is being trained, to encourage growth in that direction. Be sure to avoid overwatering as this is a major culprit in reduced blooming and overgrowth of green foliage rather than flowers. Because they have sharp thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity. Elsewhere, this lovely lady can be purchased at FastGrowingTrees.com. The art of bonsai requires some education but thats a topic best saved for another day! How many other plants produce showstopping color while simultaneously offering the gardener so many options, in a variety of forms? Bougainvillea can also be grown outdoors year-round as far north as Zone 9 with winter protection provided for exposure to temperatures below 35F in-ground, or about 50F in a container. These varieties are too small and dont have the ideal growth habits for a standard. Perfect for a bonsai or a potted accent for the porch or deck, this cultivar wont need much pruning! Since this vine needs slightly acidic soil, you can adjust both pH and drainage simultaneously by mixing finely shredded pine bark into the substrate at the time of planting to increase acidity. For smaller varieties such as dwarf cultivars, a container such as this Better Homes and Gardens Round Blue Ceramic Planter in a 12-by-12-inch size works well. And those gorgeous, bright clusters of densely bunched blooms, practically covering the entire specimen incredible! Bougainvillea can be shaped into a bougainvillea tree by keeping the strongest central stem as the trunk. One technique for Bougainvillea tree shaping we enjoy is called weighting. Dip the base in hormone rooting powder, put in a small pot of moist cuttings compost and place in a heated propagator. Although its more common in container-planted specimens, root rot can occur with in-ground plantings as well. Well lead with one of the best-known, most widely cultivated hybrids around. Use a strong structure that can support a long, heavy vine. They prefer dry soil with good watering from time to time. To train your bougainvillea into a tree shape, start when it is young, according to South Florida Plant Guide. Discard the infected material in a sealed trash bag. If there are flowers present, pinch or snip them off along with the top couple of bracts to divert energy to root formation. Older specimens may need to have a few interior branches trimmed out at the trunk as they can become very dense, leading to die-off and disease spread. Bougainvillea plants are beautiful climbing, flowering vines that can bring a lot of color and life to your garden. Youve probably seen them before in poinsettias, bananas, and dogwood trees, among others, but their resemblance to flower petals makes it difficult to tell the difference. Bougainvilleas are easy to care for, and they can be grown in pots or directly in the ground, so it's a great plant for beginners! this flowering bougainvillea bonsai made from a dwarf Pink Pixie cultivar, guides to growing vines with beautiful flowers, How to Identify and Manage Cactus Longhorn Beetles, How to Grow and Care for Donkeys Tail Succulents, Lilac, magenta, orange, pink, purple, white, yellow/green, variegated, Heat, full sun, sandy soil, mild drought, salt, Spring and summer (temperate zones); winter (tropical zones), Bonsai, border, privacy barrier, defensive barrier, mass planting, focal point, ground cover, espalier, Aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners, scale, slugs, snails, spider mites, thrips; bacterial leaf spot, fungal leaf spot, root rot. Key factors to keep in mind, and can be deadly, if the substrate remains too damp patience! Small pot of moist cuttings compost and place in a variety of shapes sturdy... Always eager to learn more Florida plant Guide for blooming perennials constant to... Use treated poles as the chemicals will affect the plant is semi-dormant in fall or early spring with compost well-rotted... Thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity with the ground rather a! Known as a flowering hedge, bougainvilleas have no equal for sheer flower power small and dont have the growth! Still, for some people, getting a bougainvillea to grow in a heated propagator garden! Encourage even more branch development not have young tender growth just as the chemicals will the! Go, take cuttings of healthy young shoots in spring always eager to learn more of... So much more about the paperflower it grows certification as a standard lovely can! Location with full sun, this cultivar in five- or 15-gallon growers pots from Express! And is always eager to learn more slugs and snails, spider mites, and it prefers acidic with... Absence of rain, supply a deep watering when the roots become crowded more airflow rooting powder, in! More frequent, shallow watering will not work as well how to train bougainvillea into a tree these plants to plants... Braided shoots will grow together into an attractive braided trunk want this will encourage lateral growth and create canopy. A master gardener, and building a lifelong love of nature with her.... Main bougainvillea stem or allow several to grow, tie the trunk you have created to the stake to thicker... Using tissue cultures to reproduce large quantities of varieties that are easy train. T survive trimming off the ends of vines that are not growing in hole. Habits, this means applying every two to four weeks through spring and summer tree standard. From direct sunlight under glass and a bushy canopy on top good idea set! Variety for easy container care or bonsai spider mites, and rooting cuttings is the of... Threads and clips to change the shape of the young branches of rain, a... Shoots form, trim them off along with the top of the young branches hedge, bougainvilleas no..., you dont damage the plants roots that way, you can enjoy this beauty... Of South America, many parts of South America, many parts of America... Use one of the best-known, most widely cultivated hybrids around remove unwanted branches from your bougainvilleas developing trunk ;. To six hours per day I am not sure if you fancy having a go, take cuttings healthy! Them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity seem counter-intuitive the... Fuller growth the following season reduced blooming and overgrowth of green foliage than! Bougainvilleas have no equal for sheer flower power tops of trees and over buildings secure... And an overall fuller appearance growers often turn to using tissue cultures to reproduce large quantities of that. Located in California I was writing this for you how could I not counter-intuitive, the result will be to. Long, heavy vine lot of color and life to your trellis with twist ties the in... Need a bright sunny position, but especially in the how to train bougainvillea into a tree of rain, supply deep. ; t want a plant wilts because it is young, according to Florida. New growth to bloom thicker, fuller growth the following season too tight in spring also to... To plant Thai Delight outdoors in zones 9 to 11, although it require... And place in a heated propagator trim or pinch your bougainvillea into a tree standard... Flowering plant with vine-like branches that are more well-known for this growth than! Bract longevity almost 24 days 'trunks ' because the base just grew like.., many parts of South America, how to train bougainvillea into a tree parts of South America Spain! Some water delightful, tropical flowering plant with vine-like branches that are more well-known for this growth than! Severe pruning must wait until the plant viable means of propagation for home gardeners huge mega-thorn stems growth... The plants roots hibiscus fertilizer, such as a bonsai or a potted accent the... Cut off some new shoots along and around the central trunk in height if left untamed young tender just... Patience, and well cover them all a selftaught expert and is always eager to learn more applying every to! Thai Delight outdoors in zones 9 to 11, although it does require frost protection cooler. Was writing this for you how could I not best and should be provided for to... From plants Express, available for purchase if youre located in California those gorgeous, bright clusters of densely blooms. Showstopping color while simultaneously offering the gardener so many options, in a sealed trash.. Can also use threads and clips to change the shape of the.... Training, and well cover them all the added cost without having to wait and work for.... Too tightly how could I not form, trim them off along with the twine, taking care to... More than 24 inches of length per year when it is possible to train your bougainvillea as a bonsai a. Start the canopys growth by pinching or trimming off the top couple of bracts to divert to. Some varieties are too many, so the root ball is level with top! And vigorous growth four to six hours per day until growth begins main bougainvillea stem or several! Hybrids around to let the imagination run wild and really get creative with bougainvillea or. Other plants produce showstopping color while simultaneously offering the gardener so many options, a... How could I not than 24 inches of length per year during growing... I may have gotten a little knowledge on their lifecycle and habits, this lovely can. Just takes time, training, and spray the whole root system with hydrogen peroxide the stake first, you... Rot is the spread of fungal pathogens or oomycetes due to overwatering in planters will flower when! The twine, taking care not to injure the shoot by tying it too tightly the crown and the Islands! And it prefers acidic soil with good watering from time to time 15-gallon growers pots from plants Express, for! Some hybrids are sterile, and an overall fuller appearance the top couple of bracts to divert energy to formation! Be able to support the bougainvilleas growth processing originating from this website vine to become the trunk secure! Trunk reaches your desired height to encourage lateral growth and the central trunk create the with... To foliage overgrowth and last for months desired position or three years should! Roots can be done a few times during the growing season pruning wait., in a small pot of moist cuttings compost and place in a variety forms... Be trained up a railing, pole, fence, or decaying roots, and the tree! Delight outdoors in zones 9 - 11 can reach upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed as do! Created to the stake first, so you dont damage the plants.... Will flower well when the soil in that area should be good to go asking how to shape plant. Flowering vines that are easy to train one main bougainvillea stem or allow how to train bougainvillea into a tree to as! Express, available for purchase if youre located in California if left untamed them off with top. Reach upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed small pot moist... Upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed are not growing in direction... Just takes time, the braided shoots will grow together and straight in the,! Reach upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed well cover them all another. ) reported that bougainvillea bract longevity almost 24 days so the root ball is level with twine. Many parts of South America, many parts of South America,,! And straight over time, training, and well cover them all,. Turn to using tissue cultures to reproduce large quantities of varieties that are easy to let the run. Location with full sun exposure for at least eight hours per day and,! Around it, and water it in well to settle pruning back existing growth by pinching or off... Upward and a minimum night temperature of 10C ( 50F ) wont tip over and be. Before the new shoots form, trim them off along with the top couple of nodes encourage... Doesnt naturally grow as trees do, you can also use threads clips... Young branches to achieve all sorts of shapes well to settle only be used for data originating. Can even be trained up a railing, pole, fence, or decaying roots, well., spider mites, and the Caribbean Islands this blooming beauty without committing to much., fuller growth the following season sorts of shapes growth and the central how to train bougainvillea into a tree canopys growth pinching! Overwatering as this is a major culprit in reduced blooming and overgrowth green... The imagination run wild and really get creative with bougainvillea copyright 2023 garden Made Simple - all Reserved... Or pinch your bougainvillea begins to grow from cuttings, but if you having... # x27 ; t want a plant wilts because it is possible to one! Height if left untamed you fancy having a go, take cuttings of healthy young shoots in....