Poinsettia Care
Have it wrapped before it has left the store! Though the poinsettia is a popular winter plant, it's very important to keep it warm during your holiday transportation. Cold temperatatures lower than 50F are dangerous to the health of the plant. Once the Poinsettia makes it to its new home there are a few things the new owner should know. Most important are lighting, watering and temperature. This will also help on getting it to re-bloom for next year’s enjoyment.
Watering
Check the soil surface daily and when it becomes dry to touch, water the plant thoroughly. Do not allow the plant to sit in soil for long periods of time.
Lighting
Allow as much sunlight as possible while the plant is indoors. A southern or eastern exposed window is ideal. Keep the plant about 2’ away from the window. Poinsettias are very sensitive to cold temps.
Temperature
During the day 70F is ideal and no lower than 50F at night.
Flowering The Following Year
- Step 1
Cut back each of the old stems to about 4-6” in height from the soil. Do this in early March.
- Step 2
Around April/ May replant the plant in a container twice the size as the current one. Use a soil less mixture and make sure there is good drainage, keep it in a sunny window. Start using a fertilizer every 2 wks at this point. Around June the plant can be placed outside in a semi shady area. Make sure to turn the container every so often so it does not become lopsided. Early July pinch 1” of new growth off each stem. Sept 1st cut or pinch the new growth back, leaving only 3-4 leaves on the branches. After the last pinch bring the plant indoors and came it near a sunny window. Continue watering and fertilizing at this time.
- Step 3
In late September the plant will need to have longer nights. At this time from 5 pm to 8 am the plant must be in complete darkness. At night place the plant in a closet that is not opened, inside a paper bag, or under opaque cloth. Any lighting that the plant is exposed to during these hours can stop flowering. During the day place the plant in a sunny location. This will be done until late November. Once definite color is noticeable on the bracts this process can be stopped. It is recommended for it to go on until the bracts are almost in full color.
