Euphorbia pulcherrima, Poinsettia, is native to Mexico
and Central America. The name "poinsettia" is derived
from Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United
States Minister to Mexico. Mr. Poinsett introduced the
Poinsettia to the United States in 1828.
Euphorbia pulcherrima is also called Atatürk flower.
The colored bracts of poinsettia plants, which may be
red, cream, orange, pink, white or marbled, are actually
leaves.
These colored bracts are caused by photoperiodism.
This means that they require 12 hours of darkness at a
time to change colors. But at the same time Poinsettias
also need a lot of bright light during the day to develop
their brightest colors.
Currently there are more than 100 different varieties of
Poinsettia plants available. The flowers are located at
the center of each leaf bunch and are called cyathia.
There is a common misconception that Poinsettias are
toxic. But this is not true.
They may cause mild skin irritations to some individuals
who are sensitive to it. In addition, if eaten they may
cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.
When purchasing Poinsettia plants make sure the plant is
wrapped properly to protect it from the cold temperatures
during the trip home.
Initial care of your newly purchased Poinsettia....
• Place it near a sunny window.
• Maintain a temperature above 65 degrees F.
• Mist the plant daily with lukewarm water.
• To avoid spots from misting use distilled water.
• Water the plant when the surface is dry to the touch.
• Water thoroughly until water drains into the saucer.
• Make sure to empty the saucer of drained water.
Poinsettia care after the Holidays....
January to March - Keep watering when surface is dry
and mist daily.
April - Gradually decrease watering allowing the plant to
get dry between watering. But be careful that the plant
doesn't get too dehydrated. Discontinue misting
during this period. After your Poinsettia is used to
this dryness, move it to a cool basement or any place
where the temperature is about 60 degrees F for a period
of about four weeks.
May - Cut the plant back to about 4-5 inches
above the soil, repot it into a slightly larger container
and sprinkle a tablespoon of bone meal over the roots.
You may also add a slow release fertilizer,
such as 14-14-14, at this time. Water it with Superthrive
or any transplant solution which contains Vitamin B1.
Now it's time to place it in a sunny window where the
temperature can be kept above 65 degrees. Mist the plant
daily and water when the surface is dry.
If you haven't added a slow release fertilizer, start fertilizing
with an all purpose fertilizer every two weeks as soon as
new growth appears.
June - Move your Poinsettia plant outside into a
partial sunny location and continue to water and fertilize.
July - At the beginning of the month cut back each stem
about an inch or an inch and a half. This will encourage
your Poinsettia to branch resulting in a bushy plant.
If you don't pinch it back, your Poinsettia grows tall
without side branches.
August - By now your plant should have branched well
and it's time to cut it back one more time so each shoot
has about four or five leaves left. Continue with your
watering, misting, and fertilizing schedule.
September - Continue to water, misting, and fertilize
making sure the temperature stays above 65 degrees F.
October - As your Poinsettia plant needs short days
in order to set buds and the top leaves to change colors,
you have to give it twelve hours of total darkness starting
October 1.
This is imperative for a well colored plant.
Give the plant darkness from about 5 pm to 8 am.
This can be achieved by placing a box or black bag over
the plant. Any exposure to light during these hours of
darkness will negatively affect bud set.
During daytime move the plant back to its sunny
window and continue watering, misting, and fertilizing.
November - At the end of the month discontinue the
darkness treatment and leave the plant in its sunny
window. At this time flower buds should be present.
December - Discontinue fertilizing about the middle
of the month. Continue watering and misting, and treat
your Poinsettia plant just like you did when you bought it.
Your Poinsettia should be blooming again at this time.
Next, for your FREE guide, How To Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Tropical Indoor Plants.
Copyright © Bob Walsh Enterprises 2010
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