Bougainvilleas?

If I want my bouggies to grow taller, is it best to prune underneath? If so, when is it best to prune them? After watering, before, during? And by slightly starving them to get them to bloom, does that mean starving them from plant food or water or both? right now my main goal is for them to grow taller faster along the trellis.

Bougainvilleas?
Bougainvillea takes well to pruning throughout most of the year. Because bougainvillea generally blooms on new growth, each branch, after flowering, should be cut back to a point somewhat shorter than the desired length.





Watering depends on the size of the plant and the spot it is placed in. During the spring-fall months, you may need to water every day. Bougainvillea do not like to be water logged, moist to slightly dry soil is best. In the winter months keep the soil almost dry.





Bougainvillea will bloom throughout the year, most heavily in the winter and spring months. The colorful, papery “blooms” are not flowers; they are bracts, which will appear on the ends of new growth. The true flower is white and trumpet shaped, concealed within the bracts.





My recommendation is to feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer to speed up the growth %26amp; prune as you see fit to produce a bushier and healthier bush. They bloom better for me when water stressed. Once mine get to the height I want them, then I feed with Super Bloom, which has a high middle number - it is 12-55-6. I do that monthly during the spring and summer months.





Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Reply:Bouggies in fact do need starved of water to bear more paper shell petals.....too much water wont hurt them, but the petals will fall off..petal drop.... as far as training them , yes trim underneath as you need.....and the stems will grow like climbing roses up top..and you can direct thier path by hand..I lived in the Florida keys for years and we had 6 of them ..one was so old it was over 20 feet tall....they train well though...


Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. They grow best in moist fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay
Reply:If you want more blooms you need to give them a bloom starter fertilizer, you can find that in your local home and garden stores. Don't starve your plant, it needs food to bloom and water to live. This is a tropical plant so, it needs the same conditions as the tropics, humidity, good rich well draining soil and sun. If you prune the plant you will make it fuller, and give the root system a growth spurt. Your bouggies will grow by feeding and watering it, not the opposite. If you have any dead canes, prune them out, other wise pruning won't help it to grow taller only fuller, use the fertilizer I suggested and water with it every time you irrigate, remember water to the root system, water long and slow, not fast and hard, but the roots must get enough water to grow. Good Luck and be patient, summer is only 2 1/2 weeks old.
Reply:Pruning will make them fuller . Just do it once or twice. They will fill out if you don't . It will just be sooner if you do . You shouldn't have to "starve" them , to bloom . Just don't over-fertilize. Especially don't short them on water. Stressed plants attract pests , %26amp; bougainvilleas especially .