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Plant Propagation

Bougainvillea cutting has a different color flower from parent

11 years ago

Parent plant had orange flowers (bracts) and rooted cutting has lavender. How could this happen? I am sure I didn't get the cutting mixed up since I don't have a lavender to take cuttings from.

All I can think of is that it is growing conditions. The parent was in sandy soil, neglected and not fertilized. I put the cutting in potting mix and fertilized it with bougainvillea fertilizer. Could the soil/fertilizer have affected the flower (bract) color?

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Comments (3)

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
11 years ago
It is reported that Hawaii.edu says that bracts change color but I don't have a PDF reader and cannot find any more information at this time. Try googling ~ variation in bougainvillea color ~.
flora_uk
11 years ago
I believe that Bougainvillea is often grafted. Is it possible you took your cuttings from below the orange bracted scion? That would give you plants the same colour as the common violet root stock.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
the one thing that keeps coming to my mind.. is how flowers.. as they fade.. change colors ..

i surely have no experience with this zone plant.. but could a purple bract fade to orange.. over the bracts long life.. i seem to think these bracts do not fade as fast as other perennial/annual flower ... [thinking poinsettia here .. those bracts last forever ...]

ken

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