Cuttings root easily with rooting hormone and a good potting mix (purchased, heavy on the peat and perlite for drainage). Make a 6" or so cutting below a leaf node, strip off lower leaves and cut off the youngest newest leaves at the top (they generally won't survive, and it's easier on the cutting if they don't have to try to support that young, weak growth). Moisten the lower part of the cutting with water, dip in hormone, tap off the excess. Use a pencil to poke a hole in your well-moistened (not dripping) pot full of good potting mix, insert cutting into the hole and firm potting mix VERY WELL around the cutting. This is really important. Make sure lower leaves of the cutting are not touching the potting mix or are buried (they will rot and encourage disease). Place the pot in a shady location, don't allow to dry out. When you see new leaves growing, you will know you have been successful.

Good luck,

Kate

I have not found this plant to root easily by cutting even though it is very pervasive in my area. The stem tends to disintegrate easily. I have started it from seed, however.

Just to add to Kates' good advice; I find that placing the cuttings in a pot with a humidity dome (plastic bag around the pot over the cutting and sealed at the top) works wonders on my bougainvillea cuttings. Good luck. Ross.

I am trying one now in an old fishtank with a plastic cover, but I dont think it's working. I didn't cut the top leaves off though so that may be why.

Should I wait this one out or start over?

How long do they usually take to root?

I'm a newbie. I've been reading this web for a few months and it worked for me. I have about 20 bougainvillea cuttings which I think have taken. (And I didn't even know what propagation meant). Some took 6 weeks, others over 2 months.I did exactly what Kate said only that I put mine in transparent bottles cut in half and covered them with the top part. That acted as a little greenhouse.
I must thank all the experienced gardeners who share their
experience and time with other people like me who otherwise
would never have been able to make it.I also have 23 African violet "babies". I'm getting addicted to this.
This web is absolutely fantastic.
Thanks ever so much.

Here is a link that might be useful: bougainvillea information