How to Pinch & Prune Bougainvillea
Pinching and pruning are important techniques to promote the greatest growth and flowering - as bougainvillea only bloom on new growth. Pinching is the method of removing the soft tips of young plant stems to encourage fuller growth.
You can do this with a pair of secateurs, or by using your fingers to pinch off ½ inch from the tip of new soft growth. Bougainvillea will send out multiple new stems just below the pinched tip.
The more regularly you pinch, the more your bougainvillea will branch and bloom which will increase its vitality, lushness, and best of all...color! The best time to pinch is after the flush of color or flowering cycle is completed. Flowering cycles are typically four to six weeks.
Before any pruning:
Step 1. Isolate 1/2" tip from young shoot:
Step 2. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch off this soft tip. Shoot will snap off:
After, end of the shoot with the tip pinched off:
The result of regular pinching is increased branching and color:
For more great "tips", please visit our Bougainvillea Plant Care & Maintenance page.
