your Poinsettia.

Would you like to keep your poinsettia growing over the next year? It can be challenging, but here are tips on how to have a beautiful poinsettia you grew yourself next year!

Starting with a new poinsettia this year -

Enjoy your poinsettia purchased at Meadow View until you are just simply tired of it. It can stay in a sunny window or put it in the basement or a cool place where it will not freeze. Only water it once a month if the soil dries out. The leaves will drop off and it may look dead but the stems should stay green.

Next, plant your poinsettia about the 20^th of May, when the danger of frost is past, in a full sun location. Cut the stems back to about 4-6” above the soil level. It would be best to transplant your plant into a pot that is 2” larger in diameter than the size it is currently in using a potting soil like Sungro Metro Mix 360. “Plunge” this newly transplanted plant, pot and all, into the soil. A clay pot would work best. This will allow for root development and prevent disturbing the plant’s root system in September when you “lift” it and bring it into the house.

Apply Osmocote to the surface of the pot when you “plunge” it into the garden or feed it with a liquid feed once every other week when you water it. Keep the plant watered during the summer. Once it is growing well it will be necessary to “pinch” the new growth back, causing it to develop branches and many flowers later. The last pinch should be about the middle of July.

After successfully growing the plant during late spring and summer outside, prepare to bring it inside about mid-September when night temperatures drop into the 40’s. First, submerge the plant’s pot into a bucket of water for about 30 minutes to eliminate any insects that may be present. Let the plant drain. Check for insects on the foliage of the plant as well. One particular insect common to poinsettias is the whitefly – a small white gnat-like insect. Treat your plant with a natural product like Azatin to help eliminate whitefly and other critters before introducing it to any other houseplant you may have.

Place your poinsettia in a bright window away from drafts. Day temperatures in the 70’s along with night temperatures in the 60’s are ideal for optimal growth. Do not over-water. Water when the soil dries out to the touch one knuckle deep. A tablespoon of Osmocote fertilizer on a 6” or 8” pot is all the fertilizer that will be needed for the season.

Day length is what triggers the poinsettia to “bloom” turning the plant the brilliant colors we desire. Mimicking natural day length and night length are essential. There can be NO interruption of the night length with artificial light from dust to dawn. This can be accomplished by placing the plant in a dark spare room, closet, basement, or under a box for the night hours. It is critical that this be done every day.

When your poinsettia is fully colored, discontinue darkness treatment. Place the plant in a location that receives plenty of natural light. Sit back and enjoy your success!

MVG - Growing Fine Plants Since 1984