Poinsettias were grown in Mexico by the Aztecs, long before the first Europeans arrived in the U.S.Poinsett was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico and he introduced the poinsettia to the US.It has become a Christmas plant since then.Poinsettias are easy to care for during the holidays season as they don't require much attention.It's not easy to care for your poinsettia throughout the year and get it to bloom again in December.How to do both.
Step 1: Choose a plant that is healthy.
Poinsettias that are healthy should have dark green foliage and bright red leaves.There should be no signs of fall or yellow leaves.
Step 2: There are display conditions to observe.
The plant should not be crowded between other plants as this can cause premature bract loss.It should be two and a half times taller than its pot.
Step 3: Look for leaves and soil.
If the soil is wet but the plant is limp, this could be a sign of root rot.You can check for insects at the underside of the leaves.The leaves of the plant should not be spotted or yellow.
Step 4: The true flowers should be examined.
The plant's flowers can be found at the base of the leaves.They should look like small buds with red or green tips.The plant will not last as long if there is a layer of yellow pollen covering the flowers.
Step 5: Poinsettias wrapped in paper or plastic are not recommended.
The plant may have been displayed this way for a while.The leaves may turn yellow sooner than expected if this is the case.
Step 6: It's a good idea to be careful when bringing a plant home.
If the outside temperature is less than 50 F, you should cover or sleeve the poinsettia.Poinsettias can fall off if they are exposed to low outside temperatures for a few minutes.You should be able to get some form of protection for your trip home from the gardening center or store where you purchase your poinsettia.If you don't remove the protective covering as soon as you get home, it could cause damage.
Step 7: The poinsettia can be found at a suitable location.
The plant should be placed in a location that gets at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day.It's best to place it near a sunny east or west window.Don't let the leaves of the plant touch the windows as this will cause them to freeze and fall off.
Step 8: The correct temperature should be kept.
Poinsettias don't have ideal temperatures during daytime hours or at night.In order to maintain the bright red color of the bracts, this is important.You should not allow the poinsettia to be exposed to cold drafts or to dry heat from appliances or open fires.Exposure to frost will kill the plant if it is exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees.
Step 9: The poinsettia needs to be watered when necessary.
When the soil feels dry to the touch, you should water your poinsettia.Water the plant until you can see water coming through the holes at the bottom of the pot.Remove any excess water from the saucer after 10 minutes.If the plant is left sitting in water, the soil will become too wet and will not contain enough air, leading to root rot and other diseases.The leaves will begin to droop if the plant is left too long.Make sure you check the soil regularly.If the leaves start to fall, water the plant at once and then again five minutes later.
Step 10: After the holidays, Fertilize your plant.
If you purchased your plant before the holidays, it should not need to be fertilized before then.You can wait until you've had the plant for about 6 to 8 weeks before fertilize it.There will be no need to fertilize if you don't keep the poinsettia.It's easier to buy a new plant each year, rather than caring for it all the time.If you plan on keeping your poinsettia, you should use an all-purpose, water-soluble houseplant fertilization in January.Use according to the instructions.The plant's green foliage will be maintained with the help of thefertilizer.
Step 11: Don't forget to take care of your poinsettia.
If you hold on to your plant, you can get it to bloom again the following year.This will require a yearlong schedule of care which must be strictly observed.
Step 12: The watering schedule will be the same until April.
The same watering schedule can be maintained after the holidays: watering the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.Use an all-purpose houseplantFertilizer to fertilize the poinsettia every 6 to 8 weeks.
Step 13: The plant should be allowed to dry.
Once April arrives, you should stop watering the poinsettia and allow it to dry out.You shouldn't allow it to get so dry that the stems start to shrink.During this time, store the plant in a cool and airy place.
Step 14: Cut back the stems.
When the bracts turn a muddy green, it is time to cut back the stems.Cut them to a length of about 6–8 inches (15.2–20.3 cm), though this will vary with the size and shape of the plant.The same procedures can be used to water the plant again.
Step 15: If the plant needs to be replanted, repot it.
If the plant is cramped in its current pot, move it to a bigger one that's around 2 to 4 inches bigger.The potting soil should have a high percentage of moss.
Step 16: The poinsettia should be moved outside.
The poinsettia can be moved outdoors during the summer.It should be placed in a shaded area.Continue to water the plant.
Step 17: In August, clean the shoots.
You can cut or pinch back the new shoots by about an inch in August.Fertilize again.
Step 18: The back of the plant should be moved inside.
Move the poinsettia back indoors at the beginning of September.It will get a lot of indirect natural light if it is placed near a window.Continue to water and fertilize.
Step 19: The correct reflowering procedures should be followed.
The amount of daylight a plant gets determines its budding and flowering schedule.If you want the plant to bloom at Christmas time, you need to limit its exposure to light in the months leading up to the holidays.From the 1st of October onwards, keep the plant in complete darkness for 14 hours a night.The reflowering process can be halted or delayed by exposing the plant to artificial lighting.The plant needs about 6 to 8 hours of daylight during the day.Continue to water and fertilize the plant if you want to keep the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees F.The bright red color on the bracts of the poinsettia will begin to show after ten weeks after following these procedures.Follow the care procedures described in the previous section if the poinsettia is moved back to a sunlit area.