In Canada, poinsettia are the most popular of all Christmas houseplants. Millions of poinsettia are purchased each year during the Christmas season by people who enjoy the colour and warmth they provide to the home. Proper selection will help to ensure a long lasting plant that you will enjoy throughout the Christmas and winter months.
With proper care, your poinsettia will last through the holiday season and right into late winter.
Pay close attention to the following tips:
- Place in a room where there is bright natural light but not where the sun will shine directly on the plant.
- Keep the plant away from locations where it will receive hot or cold draughts.
- Place the plant high enough to be out of reach of unmonitored children and pets.
- Set the plant in a water-proof container to protect your furniture.
- Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Discard any excess water which remains in the saucer after 10 minutes.
- The bright colour of the bracts will remain longer if temperatures do not exceed 22°C.
Reflowering your poinsettia
If you cannot bear to throw your poinsettia out when it is finished providing colour, you may want to try your hand at reflowering your poinsettia next year.
- December Full bloom. Water as needed.
- April Colour fades. Keep near sunny window and fertilize when new
growth appears. Cut back stems to about 20 cm. - June 1 Repot if necessary. Fertilize with a balanced formula 20-20-20.
Continue to water when dry to touch. Move outside if temperatures
do not fall below 10°C. Place in light shade. - Late August Take inside. Cut stems back, leaving three or four leaves per shoot.
Sunny window. Water and fertilize as needed. - Sept 20 -Dec 1 Keep in light only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Put in dark (NO
LIGHTS) 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Remember the key to success: Follow the strict light/dark instructions carefully.
— By Landscape Ontario: landscapeontario.com/home-care-tips-for-your-poinsettia
Picture from www.pasco.com