Poinsettias…These can be very long lasting flowering houseplants.  Buy yours as early as possible to enjoy maximum blooming for the holidays.  The colored ‘petals’ on a poinsettia bloom are really colored bracts (or leaves).  The true flowers are located in the center of the colored bracts and are rather small and easily over looked.  They can be used to tell if the plant has been in flower a long time, or if it is just coming into bloom.  If they have not opened yet your plant can remain in bloom for several    months.  Even if they are open (which most will be by mid December) proper care of the plant will insure several weeks of beauty.




Transporting:  When you purchase a poinsettia be sure it does not become chilled, as that will cause leaf drop.  If it has to be taken through cold temperatures it should be wrapped to trap warm air around it until you can get the car warmed up.  When you reach home unwrap your poinsettia at once.  Plants that are left in ‘sleeves’ for a long time will have drooping leaves that are unlikely to recover their natural look. 




Light:  Poinsettias need moderate to bright light.  Direct sunlight is not necessary. 

Water:  Water plants to maintain a moist but not waterlogged soil.  If your plant is placed in a cache pot or is wrapped in foil, check often to be sure the pot is not setting in water, as this will rot the roots and eventually kill your plant.

Fertilizing:  Light fertilizing every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer is a good idea. 




Maintaining:  Any leaves that do age and turn yellow or brown should be removed.  It is possible to keep your plant and re-bloom it next year.  When your plant is no longer attractive, cut the old stems back to about 6 inches.  The plant can be summered outdoors as soon as temperatures at night reach 55 degrees.  You may need to trim it back a few more times during the summer to keep it at a desirable size.  Do not prune after August 1st.  Continue to fertilize on a regular schedule.









Re-blooming:  October 1st begin manipulating day length to insure blooming in time for Christmas.  From that date until the plant begins to display red bracts, it needs 14 hours of uninterrupted hours of darkness and 10 hours of daylight each day.  Covering it with a cardboard box or setting it in a closet for the required time each day can accomplish this.  When the bracts begin to color, length of light no longer matters.

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