Not many people choose to keep their Poinsettia alive
after the holidays. But if you’re a green thumb like me, keeping plants alive
is a hobby. Here are some simple
instructions to keep your Poinsettia alive and healthy.
LIGHTING:
Poinsettia’s prefer bright indirect light. The south or east facing windows are
best for this.
TEMPERATURE:
Poinsettia’s prefer 65-75 degrees and do not like cool air, drafts, or breezes. Touching
the window in a cold region can cause leaf damage. Drafts can cause plant to
die early.
WATERING:
Poinsettia’s need to have good drainage and be well watered. Take the plastic
wrap off your plant as soon as you get it home. Only allow the top portion of
the soil to dry out through March. You may have to water daily or mist it daily
to keep it happy.
About APRIL
start allowing soil to completely dry between watering. If your plant has a
stem that starts to shrivel, it is stressed out. After two weeks of decreasing
the watering, your plant should be acclimated to reduced watering schedule and
it is time to move it to a dark, cool location: 60 degrees, like a garage or basement.
*Continue watering when soil gets dry and watch for
new growth. When new growth appears, add an all in one fertilizer to the water.
In MAY,
about one month after moved to dark, cool location: cut stems back 4 inches and
repot in slightly larger container with new potting soil.
During JUNE,
move Poinsettia outside to a partially shaded area.
In JULY,
cut stems back again so they will not get tall and spindly. This also trains
stems to grow strong.
In AUGUST,
move plant back indoors continuing with water/fertilizer schedule. Do this
until
OCTOBER
1:
In order to get your Poinsettia to bloom around Christmas time, you need to
help modify the light. Either move Poinsettia to a closet or set a box over it
from 5pm – 8am. Continue this treatment till the last week of November when you
can allow the Poinsettia to be by South/East facing window till Christmas. Quit
fertilizing about two weeks before Christmas.
Enjoy!
