Do you wish to adorn your home with the vibrant flowers of Bougainvillea plants? Utilize the banana trick for simple propagation.
Bougainvillea, a magnificent plant from the Nyctaginaceae family, is widely found in Italy and thrives outdoors, especially in the southern regions. This plant graces the surroundings with its colorful display of small, brightly colored flowers during the summer and autumn seasons. Whether for your vegetable garden, outdoor spaces, or garden decor, Bougainvillea is easily propagated through cutting or branches.
Nursery experts employ the “banana method,” a simple trick that allows anyone to propagate Bougainvillea effortlessly. What’s the purpose of this method, and how can you execute it? Here’s all the information you need to apply the banana trick and achieve endless Bougainvillea propagation!
Materials Needed for Propagating Bougainvillea Branches:
- A banana
- A hacksaw
- A clear plastic cup
- A bag and a plastic band
- A pair of pruning shears
- Some soil
- A pot with soil
Procedure for Reproducing Bougainvillea:
Executing the procedure to obtain endless Bougainvillea plants is straightforward; just follow the step-by-step instructions. Here’s how to do it:
- Locate a mature branch of the plant and make an incision with the hacksaw approximately 4 cm long.
- Remove any small leaves to have a free branch.
- Cut a slice of banana and place it with the peel in the middle of the incision.
- Open the plastic cup on one side only, make a small hole in the center, and place it on the incised branch, closing it around the branch.
- Fill the cup with well-moistened soil, ensuring the bottom is full.
- Complete the operation by adding soil to the mouth, pressing it around the branch with your hands.
Next, take a black plastic bag and wrap it over the cup, securing it with a cable tie. After a month, remove the tie and plastic bag. As visible from the transparent cup, roots will have emerged. Cut the branch and plant it in a pot.
How to Plant Bougainvillea Branch in a Pot:
- Remove the plastic cup completely.
- Prepare a medium-sized pot with well-drained soil.
- Place the root ball in the center of the pot.
- Arrange it well and press the soil around it.
- Water the soil, and your Bougainvillea plant will flourish.
For excellent results, employ useful tricks like ensuring sharp and disinfected scissors during cutting. Additionally, remember not to water these plants every day; water only when the pot’s soil is dry – a simple touch with your hands can help you determine this.