Save for the Christmas tree, no other plant species represents a
holiday like the poinsettia. Unfortunately, most home gardeners
tend to treat their poinsettia like an annual bedding plant. You
abuse it for two or three weeks and then throw it in the garbage.
And that’s really a shame.
Save for the Christmas tree, no other plant species represents a holiday like the poinsettia. Unfortunately, most home gardeners tend to treat their poinsettia like an annual bedding plant. You abuse it for two or three weeks and then throw it in the garbage. And that’s really a shame. The fact of the matter is, with a little care, your poinsettia might still be blooming well into February.
The care of your poinsettia should start as soon as you get it. Never place it outdoors because it will freeze during the night. Never place it in direct sunlight indoors or near heat sources. This means no placing them on top of the television or near the fireplace. It’s also a good idea to take the foil decoration off the pot because, when your plant is watered, the foil acts as a trap of the excess water and roots will rot.
Of course, that’s assuming your poinsettia is even watered. I can’t tell you how many poinsettias I’ve seen, particularly in offices, that have never gotten near a drop of water! Needless to say, your poinsettia is a living thing and requires water usually once or twice a week.
Even better, you might consider repotting your poinsettia when you get it home. Consider utilizing it as a centerpiece in a larger living arrangement. I’ve had beautiful poinsettias in the center of a larger container, with a few shorter and trailing foliage houseplants surrounding it. Not only does your poinsettia stand out like Rudolph, but it’s sure to do better in the larger container, and you won’t forget to water it if you have to remember to water the other houseplants.
If you wish to get your poinsettia to bloom again for next Christmas, you’ll need to be diligent about providing sufficient lightness and darkness starting around Oct. 1. A lightness/darkness regimen or, more appropriately, lack of this regimen is the biggest reason home gardeners can’t get poinsettias to bloom again. Plants need 12 to 14 hours of total, uninterrupted darkness each day beginning in the fall. In between, plants need as much direct sunlight as possible. The required darkness can be accomplished by putting a large cardboard box over them or moving them to a closet. This regimen must continue for at least eight to 10 weeks.
Suffice it to say, I’ve always found that buying a great-looking poinsettia each holiday season is well worth the money. Even if you don’t want to go through the trouble of trying to get it to bloom again next year, with a little care you can at least have this season’s poinsettia for many more weeks to come. Poinsettias remain the No. 1 flowering potted plant in the United States. And that’s saying a lot, considering that chrysanthemums, Easter lilies and others are quite popular.
As for Christmas trees, like poinsettias, avoid placing them near heat sources, such as the fireplace. You might consider spraying your tree with an anti-transpirant product, such as Wilt-Pruf or Cloudcover upon purchase. I always hose down our cut tree as soon as we get it home to knock off any bugs and spiders that are probably hiding in the needles. Then, I spray it with an anti-transpirant. These products put a sort of gloss onto the needles, which helps hold moisture in.
Also, always use a tree holder with a basin for water, and check the level – especially during the first few days, when the tree is apt to be drinking up a lot of water.
