Bougainvillea
by
Carmen
+7
Help! My bougainvillea is very overgrown but I'm afraid to cut it back. Any suggestions on how I should trim it?
10 answers
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I have 2 Bougainvillas about this size and I just whack off the branches that need trimming with either a pair of scissors or hand-held pruners. It hasn't hurt them and if anything, they seem to grow even faster after being trimmed! On yours, I would suggest definitely trimming back the branches hanging over the bench. At this point, I don't think I would trim anything else. Eventually you might want to cut it off so it doesn't cover the light fixture but right now it seems to be growing around the light, which I think looks kind of cool. I would also let it continue to grow to the left and right, as long as it mostly stays within the recessed alcove. When you go to trim, be careful of those thorns! They are wicked!
Shari
on May 17, 2015
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I have 2 Bougainvillas about this size and I just whack off the branches that need trimming with either a pair of scissors or hand-held pruners. It hasn't hurt them and if anything, they seem to grow even faster after being trimmed! On yours, I would suggest definitely trimming back the branches hanging over the bench. At this point, I don't think I would trim anything else. Eventually you might want to cut it off so it doesn't cover the light fixture but right now it seems to be growing around the light, which I think looks kind of cool. I would also let it continue to grow to the left and right, as long as it mostly stays within the recessed alcove. When you go to trim, be careful of those thorns! They are wicked!
Shari
on May 17, 2015
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These are pretty hardy plants not to worry trim them back they will be fine.
Lee Cunningham Green
on May 17, 2015
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You cannot hurt them. Go for it!
Shirley
on May 17, 2015
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Wear thick gloves and long sleeves. Start at the bottom trimming small branches off the thicker branches. Think of it as giving it a haircut! It will all grow back.
Sandra Irene
on May 17, 2015
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You could cut it down to the ground and it will come back. Just chose your weapon and go to work.
Leah Digges
on May 17, 2015
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Trim away! These are hardy suckers! It will grow back like a weed. Don't worry.
Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot
on May 17, 2015
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They love pruning. The branches will be strong and flourish. Be careful with the thorns and use the branches cut as seedlings. In my house we have a lot !!!
Anita Bonita Nunes
on May 18, 2015
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You can cut these back down to the ground with only stubs left, and it will grow back bigger and better than ever. Watch out for the thorns? Even with wearing elbow length gloves and using loppers, my arms were scratched and torn up. Beautiful, but mean and dangerous plant. Once you have one established, it is nearly impossible to get rid of it.
Melinda Edwards
on May 20, 2015
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I agree with all of the above comments. I have a bougainvilla that I had to cut way back when I recently had my house painted. It has already grown back and has more flowers than before. Just cut off whichever ones are overgrown and it will look great.
Patricia Clark
on May 25, 2015
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