Tell me how to encourage growth from the bottom of the stem of an indoor grown bougainvillea?

Answer 1

I think you are asking how to get green growth from the lower part of a stem that is bare (or nearly so) at the bottom. If so, your plant is displaying "apical dominance" which is a common feature of plants: the leaf buds at the top of the plant grow and keep the leaf buds lower on the stem, called "lateral buds," from sprouting. Check to see if you have live (not dried up) lateral buds on the lower part of the stem where you want growth. If so, you can stimulate them to grow by trimming off the top buds. These top buds contain hormones which keep the lower lateral buds dormant. Once the top buds are gone, lateral buds will develop.

Answer 2

Trim the top branches. I'm not sure where you live, but it should be done when the weather is still cold. Of course if it is an indoor plant it shouldn't make a difference. Add root stimulator to your water and a good flower fertilizer like "Miracle Grow for Roses and Flowering Plants". This works wonders on my Hibiscus and other flowering shrubs. Depending on the type of bougainvillea, you could try to graft to the stem, but that is a tough and time consuming chore.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure from your question if you are trying to root it from a cutting, but if you are, you can buy something called "rooting hormone" at the garden centre.