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General Tips for the Wise Consumer
Remember when purchasing your poinsettia to choose the one that is not wilted and appears to be cared for. Avoid the plants with foliage that is beginning to yellow. The actual flowers of the poinsettia plant are the golden yellow clusters (cyathia) in the center of the colored bracts (the colored bracts are actually the plant's leaves that changed color to attract insects and not flower petals as most consumers think). As you choose your poinsettia, make sure the plant you choose still has the cyathia. Remember, if packaging has been kept on the poinsettia for a lengthy amount of time, the leaves may turn yellow and drop before the Holiday Season is over. Look for the wide variety of colors, abundance of cyathia, nice bracts and long lasting colors.
Temperature Control When you leave with your poinsettia, remember that the plant needs protection from the weather, especially if the temperature is freezing. Your poinsettia should have a plant sleeve, ask them for one if one is not provided. Your poinsettia should not be exposed (even in the wrapping) to the freezing conditions for more than a short trip to the car. Do not leave your poinsettia in your car while you finish shopping. If the poinsettia is chilled below 50 degrees F., it may begin to drop its leaves. Immediately unwrap your poinsettia when you arrive at your destination. Enjoy! At Home
Important: If the poinsettia you bring home has a pot cover or foil wrapper, pierce the bottom to allow proper drainage. Remember to place your plant on a water proof container to catch the overflow when you water. The soil should be kept most. Do not let the soil dry out completely. Empty any water that drains into the container under your plant. If you let the plant sit in this water, the leaves will yellow and drop.
The color of your poinsettia will last longer with temperatures not over 75 degrees F. during the day and 60 degrees F at night.
How to Re-flower Your Poinsettia If you are an enthusiastic gardener, you may want to try to re-flower your poinsettia for next year's Holiday Season. Just remember, if you seem to loose interest in this along the way, you are in the company of many others. This process requires a lot of dedication and effort.
This Holiday Season - remember to take care of your plant (refer to the preceding care tips.) do not let your plant dry out!
Your poinsettia may begin to fade in color. Keep your plant near a sunny window.
During the middle of April, cut the stems back to approximately 6" above the soil.
Start fertilizing with a balanced with a balanced (20/20/20 or 20/10/20 content of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) fertilizer at one teaspoon per gallon of water every third watering.
Remove the plant, and check to see if the plant needs repotting (an abundance of roots). If you do repot, use commercial potting soil and a little larger pot. The pot may be placed outside in light shade when the temperature does not fall below 55 degrees F. or, you can leave the plant inside. Fertilize with one teaspoon of a balanced fertilizer per gallon of water, every second time you water.
The plant should be kept inside in direct sunlight. Cut the stems back again, this time leaving three to four leaves per stem. Continue to water and fertilize.
Now, you have your poinsettia to enjoy again for the new Holiday Season. But wait, you may be wondering, "Why doesn't it look like the plants in stores?" Remember that even though you have provided all the care your plant needs by following the directions outlined above -- you cannot provide a professional greenhouse environment. The professional greenhouse offers an environment with controlled lighting, controlled temperatures and professional growers. This environment will most likely produce a larger, fuller plant than you could produce in your home. If you should decide to repeat the re-flowering process, your plant will be about 2-4 inches taller each year and should accordingly be cut back about 2-4 inches higher every year and definitely repotted into a bigger pot. Information
courtesy of
Fischer.
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Thinking
about the following tips while making your poinsettia selection
will help you to have a plant that will last throughout the
Holiday Season.
Place your plant in
a spot with bright natural light, but not exposed to direct
sunlight for more than one to two hours. If in a sunny
location, make sure the plant never dries out. Do not
place your plant in an area that is exposed to drafts, heat from
appliances, radiators or ventilation ducts. Your poinsettia
should be placed in an area not exposed to heavy traffic.
Though absolutely not poisonous, the plant should be placed
away from small children and animals. Ingestion of the plant
could cause discomfort if eaten.
First
Step - Care
The plant should
stay in the direct sunlight (next to a window) until 5:00 p.m..
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the plant should be placed in complete
darkness. You may be wondering, "How do I accomplish this?"
Some options are: putting the plant in a closet or putting
the plant in a light-tight box. If you think of a unique
idea for this dilemma, please let us know.