Bougainvillea Seed Production: Hand Pollination and Propagation

Getting Bougainvillea to Set Seed

Your two plants have only female flowers so far. Male flowers appear later. Once both sexes are present, hand-pollinate:

Hand Pollination Methods

1. Use a cotton swab: collect pollen from male flower, transfer to female stigma.
2. Or: remove male flower, gently brush against female flower.

Important Caveat

Most cultivated bougainvilleas are hybrids. Seedlings will not replicate the parent. For exact clones, use cuttings:

Cutting Propagation (Reliable)

1. Take 6-inch tender (non-woody) tip cuttings.
2. Remove all but top 2 leaf sets.
3. Dip in rooting hormone.
4. Plant in moist potting mix.
5. Cover with clear plastic for humidity.
6. Roots in 3 weeks. Then acclimate gradually.

Cuttings give identical plants faster and more reliably than seeds.