Poinsettias were grown in Mexico by the Aztecs long before Europeans arrived in the U.S.Poinsett was the first US ambassador to Mexico and he introduced the poinsettia to the U.S.It's become a Christmas plant.Poinsettias require little attention while in bloom, so it's easy to care for them during the holidays.It's not a bad idea to care for your poinsettia throughout the year and get it to bloom in December.Here's how to do both.
Step 1: You can choose a plant.
Poinsettias that are healthy should have dark green foliage and bright red leaves.There should be no signs of fall or yellow leaves.
Step 2: Look at the display conditions.
The plant should not be crowded between other plants, as this can cause premature bract loss.The diameter of its pot should make it stand two and a half times taller.
Step 3: Take a look at the leaves and soil.
If the soil is wet but the plant is limp, this could be a sign of root rot.Look at the underside of the leaves to see if there are insects.The leaves of the plant should not be spotted or yellow.
Step 4: Take a look at the true flowers.
The plant's flowers can be found at the base of the red leaves.They should look like buds with red or green tips.The plant will not last as long if there is a layer of yellow pollen on the flowers.
Step 5: Poinsettias can be wrapped in paper or plastic.
The plant may have been displayed this way for a long time.The leaves may turn yellow and fall off sooner than expected if this is the case.
Step 6: When bringing a plant home, be careful.
If the outside temperature is less than 50 F, you should cover or sleeve the poinsettia.Poinsettias can fall off if they are exposed to low outside temperatures for a few minutes.You should be able to get some form of protection for your trip home from the gardening center or store where you purchase your poinsettia.If you don't remove the protective covering as soon as you get home, it could cause damage.
Step 7: The poinsettia can be found in a suitable location.
The plant can be placed in a location that gets at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day.It's best to place it near a sunny window.Don't let the leaves of the plant touch the window panes as this will cause them to freeze and fall off.
Step 8: The correct temperature should be maintained.
Poinsettias don't get ideal temperatures during daytime hours or at night.In order to maintain the bright red color of the bracts, this is important.You should not expose the poinsettia to cold drafts or to dry heat from appliances or open fires.Exposure to frost will kill the plant if it is exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees.
Step 9: When necessary, water the poinsettia.
When the soil feels dry to the touch, you should water your Poinsettia.Water the plant until you can see the holes at the bottom of the pot.Remove any excess water from the saucer after 10 minutes.If the plant is left sitting in water, the soil will become too wet and will not contain enough air, leading to root rot and other diseases.The leaves will begin to droop if the plant is left too long.Make sure you check the soil regularly.If the leaves start to fall, water the plant at once and then again five minutes later.
Step 10: After the holidays, plant your poinsettia.
If you purchased your plant before the holidays, it should not need to be fertilized before then.You can wait until you have had the plant for about 6 to 8 weeks before fertilize it.There will be no need to fertilize if you don't keep the poinsettia.It's easier to buy a new plant each year, rather than caring for the same plant all the time.If you plan on keeping your poinsettia, you should use an all-purpose, water-soluble houseplant fertilization in early January.Use according to the instructions.The plant's green foliage will be maintained by holding thefertilizer.
Step 11: Don't forget to care for your plant.
If you hold on to your plant, you can get it to bloom again the following year.This will require a yearlong schedule of care which must be strictly observed, otherwise the plant will fail to bloom.
Step 12: Don't change the watering schedule until April.
The same watering schedule can be maintained after the holidays: watering the plant when the soil feels dry.Use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer to fertilize the poinsettia every 6 to 8 weeks.
Step 13: Allow the plant to dry out.
You should stop watering the poinsettia once April arrives.You shouldn't allow it to get so dry that the stems start to shrink.During this time, store the plant in a cool and airy place.
Step 14: The stems need to be cut back.
When the bracts turn a muddy green, it's time to cut back the stems.Cut them to a length of about 6–8 inches (15.2–20.3 cm), though this will vary with the size and shape of the plant.The same procedures can be used to begin watering the plant again.
Step 15: If necessary, repot the plant.
If the plant is cramped in its current pot, move it to a bigger one that's around 2 to 4 inches bigger.The potting soil should have a high percentage of moss.
Step 16: The poinsettia can be moved outside.
The poinsettia can be moved outdoors during the summer.It should be placed in a shaded area.Continue to water the plant.
Step 17: The new shoots should be trimmed in August.
You can cut or pinch back the shoots by about an inch in August.Fertilize again.
Step 18: The back of the plant should be moved indoors.
Move the poinsettia back indoors at the beginning of September.It will get a lot of indirect natural light if it is placed near a window.Continue to water andfertilize.
Step 19: The correct reflowering procedures should be followed.
The amount of daylight a plant receives determines its budding and flowering schedule.If you want the plant to bloom at Christmas time, you need to limit its exposure to light in the months leading up to the holidays.Keep the plant in complete darkness for 14 hours a night from the 1st of October onwards.The reflowering process can be halted or delayed by exposing the plant to artificial lighting.During the day, the plant needs about 6 to 8 hours of daylight.Continue to water and fertilize the plant if you want to keep the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees F.The bright red color of the bracts on the poinsettia will begin to show after ten weeks.Follow the care procedures described in the previous section when moving the poinsettia back to a sunlit area.