Poinsettias
There is no better reminder of the holiday season then a red poinsettia. After years of hybridizing this native Mexican plant, the color choices are numerous. You may choose to only keep your poinsettia for the holidays, but with some extra care your plant can give you years of enjoyment.
Choosing a Poinsettia: Select only plants with thoroughly colored bracts that aren’t drooping or wilting. Bracts are the colorful portions of the plant, while the actual flowers are the tiny, yellow centers. Choose plants with full and abundant foliage all the way to the soil line. Green foliage is a sign of good plant health. Use caution purchasing plants displayed in plastic sleeves. The longer a plant remains fully sleeved, the more the plant quality will deteriorate. Avoid waterlogged soil, especially if the plant is wilted, as this may indicate root-rot. When transporting your poinsettia home, protect it from wind and temperatures below 50 degrees with a lightweight shopping bag or sleeve.
Poinsettia Care: Poinsettias prefer indirect sunlight and should not be placed in a window with direct sun. Avoid cold drafts, furnace vents, and working fireplaces. Provide room temperatures of between 60-70 degrees and never put a poinsettia outside for the holidays. Water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Remove it from its decorative foil before watering and make sure it drains completely. Do not allow it to sit in standing water. Do not fertilize your poinsettia while it is in bloom. After the blooming season you should use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer.
Re-Blooming Your Poinsettia: In late winter cut back your poinsettia to 8 inches; continue to water and fertilize regularly. New growth should appear and by May you can place it outdoors after the last chance of frost has past. Transplant your poinsettia to a larger pot if you choose at this time. To keep your plant bushy and compact, keep it pruned throughout the summer. Water and feed regularly; keep in indirect sun. In early fall bring your poinsettia in if the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Starting October 1st, plants must be kept in total darkness for 14 hours each night, but also require 8-10 hours of bright sunlight daily. This can be accomplished by putting in a closet nightly or covering it overnight with a large box. Stray lights at night (streetlights, lamps) can ruin the entire process. Keep temperatures between 60-70 degrees. Continue this process for 8-10 weeks or until bracts begin to color, usually around mid December.
Facts: It is a common misconception that the poinsettia is poisonous. As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended to be consumed and certain individuals may have an allergic reaction to them. However, poinsettias have demonstrated they are a safe plant around people and pets.
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