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Nothing says Christmas quite like the Poinsettia. The most popular of Christmas plants, poinsettias are available in an increasing variety of colors. It used to be years ago that there were just a few varieties all in red, but now breeders have gotten together and have developed over 100 varieties in different colors, shapes and sizes. And with these new improvements, they’re a lot easier to grow. The colorful part of the plant is a special leaf known as a bract. The inconspicuous flowers are the little yellow pods at the center of each cluster of bracts. There are many poinsettia choices available, and each with a look of its own. When selecting a poinsettia, make sure the growth is dense and healthy. The green leaves should be a vigorous dark green, and the stems should be stiff. The bracts should be well-developed and fully-colored in order to last through the holidays. Before you venture to the nursery to buy one, check the weather first. Poinsettias are tropical plants native to Central America (where they get as big as trees), so they can go into shock and die if exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees F. If you buy one on a cold day, protect the plant with a sleeve of plastic or paper and take it home immediately, don’t let it sit in an unheated car. You may already know some of the most popular varieties, like the traditional freedom red, and the creamy beauty of white star. No matter which kind you choose, remember that Poinsettias prefer a sunny location not too close to a cold window. Avoid drafts and heater vents because temperatures above 70 degrees F can fade the bracts. Water only when the soil surface begins to dry and the soil should never stay soggy. Poinsettias do not like wet feet so be sure to remove the outer foil or poke some drainage holes in the bottom. If you place a saucer under the pot, always pour off any excess water that drains into it or you will encourage root rot, unless the tray has gravel in it and the pot never sits in the water. Fertilize every two to three weeks, and the bracts will stay colorful and healthy into springtime. And finally, for those of you who have been leery about including these beautiful plants in your holiday decor because of their toxicity, well don’t be. Contrary to the common myth, poinsettias are not poisonous and never have been. So don’t worry. Poinsettias are not just good for the holidays; they make great houseplants. If you give them special care, they will color up year after year. When the color starts to fade in late March or early April, prune each stem to about eight inches to prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. (Wear waterproof gloves to prune because the milky sap can irritate your skin). Let the plant rest after pruning; keep it in a sunny spot, but water only when the soil dries to a depth of about two inches. Don't fertilize again until new growth appears (usually around June), at which time you should transplant to a pot about two inches larger. After that, you can resume normal watering and fertilizing. You should also place the plant on a sunny windowsill, or even outdoors. Once in July and once in August, pinch back any new growth so that the plant gets really bushy. Now comes the tricky part. Poinsettias are photoperiod plants, which
mean that they set their buds as the nights become longer, but artificial
light upsets this cycle. That's why you need to fool the plant. Near
the end of September, put the plant in a closet or cover it with a box
for 14 hours each evening; leave it in total darkness, and no peeking
is allowed. Bring it out to a sunny spot for 10 hours each day. Maintain
this cycle for 8-10 weeks, watering and fertilizing routinely. It takes
a lot of dedication, but if you stick to it, the colorful bracts will
reappear, and you can then move the plant to a sunny spot for the holidays.
After that, you can look forward to repeating the whole process over
again next year. |
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Poinsettia Pointers:
