Can I cut back my Bougainvillea and not kill it?

I recently moved into a house with a large overgrown, neglected bougainvillea in the garden. It is flowering at the tips, but most of the lower branches are bare and look dead. If I cut it back, will it still flower, or will I kill it??

Can I cut back my Bougainvillea and not kill it?
These plants could grow under water or in the dessert! They are hardy as so pruning it back will not kill it. Best to prune back after it flowers. and don't be afraid to hack it back hard :)


Gives the opportunity for alot more fresh re-growth :)
Reply:Apparently they take quite well to cutting/pruning back: reason for using it in bonsai the important thing is to cut it back according to the instructions on the 1st link.


Bougainvillea bloom on new growth. With proper pruning, sunlight, and water, plants will repeat a blooming cycle in about 4 weeks.


Open the link and it shows a picture of how to make the cuts and when to cut back.


http://www.heirloomgardenexperts.com/inf...


Pruning and wiring: The bougainvillea takes well to pruning; a useful attribute in styling bonsai. Because bougainvillea generally blooms on new growth, each branch, as blooms begin to fade, should be cut back to a point somewhat shorter than the desired length. Seal all cuts to prevent rot. If rot is detected on a collected specimen, cut it out completely.


http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/bougai...


I've often wondered if they would survive S.E. Missouri weather. I know the trumpet vines do exceedingly well.


They are exceptionally beautiful in California. Former resident.
Reply:Yes.





I had this plant when I lived in South Florida its tough in the right climate.





Don't over water it , it blooms during the dry season, i.e. winter in S Fl.
Reply:Yes, and you can prune quite hard if it is way overgrown. The best time is right after it has bloomed. They go through bloom cycles about every 6 weeks or so; after it blooms cut back hard and watch it come back. After that, pinch out the tips right after they have flowered. It will fill out and grow full. I would also wait until it gets warmer and the first flush of blooms has set in.
Reply:yes! i grew one at my old house and we actually wanted to kill it but it kept on coming back even after we pruned right back to the ground! it will definently still flower. its one of the toughest household plants available.