Bougainvillea Help Wanted!!!

[Gav]

Hi Guys,

Was fortunate enough to get my hands 6 Bougainvilleas today. All varying Colour and Size. I had to dig them out of a retaining wall that was filled with Crusher Dust (no soil). I tried to get a decent amount of roots with each one but only took what I physically could without removing the whole retaining wall.
Trees are all potted now into some large nursery pots so hopefully they do alright. Will Post some photos soon...

The thing that I need help with is Cuttings...I have never propagated Bougies before and just wanted some advice from any of you who have successfully struck cuttings.
What is the best way to propagate from cuttings?
What is the best soil type to put cuttings in and where should they be stored?

Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Gav

[Bougy Fan]

The best success I have with cuttings is in the ground. If you can't do this then I also use pots of 10mm concrete blend. I always wire the cuttings in to the pots. I have some smarty pants cuttings about 100mm in diameter that have just started to shoot. I always put hormone on the cut end and if it has dried out I recut the end before hormone and planting.

[Gav]

Thanks for the advice Tony. Will give it a Whirl today. . Are your cuttings kept in a fairly Shady area?

[kcpoole]

I put all my Cuttings in a small Greenhouse. ( perspex Box) and kep in Semi shade so does not get too hot.

Pot up into mix of whatever is available, Sand, Diatomite, Coir Peat.

Ken

[Bougy Fan]

Well they wouldn't get sun all day where I have them but you don't want total shade. I am less inclined to keep things in shade anymore - I collected 6 little john callistemons and had them in a spot where they get sun until about 2.00. They are doing well at the moment after 3 weeks

[Gav]

Thanks Ken and Tony,

Just wondering what the best way to make sure the trees that I transplanted have a speedy recovery? I have some "Plant Starter" that I will water in with them tomorrow. It says on the bottle that it limits transplant shock and stimulates root growth. Need to water it in well and repeat it weekly for 3-4 weeks. Have you used anything like this before?

Regards,

Gav

[Gav]

...and yes Tony... that your little callistemons keep up the good work...

[Bougy Fan]

I have only used Seasol or Superthrive myself. The collected cals have been getting seasol morning and afternoon for the past 3 weeks. They are not small - trunk size at base would be 150mm but were cut back to allow the excavator to get around them look HERE

[bonsaibruce]

Howdy,
One of my bougs was dug 3 weeks before it was delivered to me as firewood. Nice flowers on it today. Stay calm, don't panic.
My callistemon has new shoots.
Soaked is seasol for 24 hours.
Then just water.
Maybe get aggressive tomorrow.
Bruce.

[Gav]

Aggressive... that sounds like fun...
I have heard stories of how hardy Bougies are... But Firewood thats a new one...
Someone has offered that If I come and remove a Bougy from their yard as they have been trying to get rid of it for years with no luck... She said that is was there when they bought the house in 1978 so I may have to go and rescue another one.

Gav.