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Poinsettia Care
- To select a Poinsettia, look for sturdy dark green foliage and fully colored bracts.
- When transporting your “tropical� Poinsettia, wrap the entire plant to protect it from chilly temperatures to avoid injury.
- Poinsettias will last the longest in a cool location that is between 60F and 70F degrees, away from cold or warm drafts, and has exposure to in-direct sunlight.
- Over-watering is more detrimental than under-watering. Only water your Poinsettia when the soil is dry to the touch and try not to let it sit in water.
- Fertilizer is not necessary until after the Poinsettia has finished flowering.
Re-Flowering
To get a poinsettia to re-flower you have to keep it in total darkness between 5 PM and 8 am. Start this around October 1st and continue until color shows on the bracts; usually around early to mid-December. Any little exposure to light can prevent flowering. Covering the plant with a light-proof bag and placing it in a closet works great.
Post-Holiday Care
Once the Poinsettia has finished flowering for the season, fertilize once per month with a houseplant solution. After the threat of frost has past, you may move your Poinsettia outside for the summer to a location that is sunny, however shaded from intense afternoon sun.
History and Care of the Poinsettia
Originating in Central America in a southern region of Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon, the Poinsettia was first used by the Aztecs. The plant’s colorful bracts were used to extract dye for textiles and cosmetics. The milky sap, commonly known as latex, was used in a concoction to treat fevers. If it had not been for the efforts of botanist Joel Robert Poinsett, the Poinsettia may have gone undiscovered outside of southern Mexico for many more years. During Poinsett’s visit to the Taxco region as the first US Mexican Ambassador (1825-1829), he was struck by the beauty of the brilliant red plants he found blooming in December. He immediately sent plants back to his greenhouses in South Carolina for propagation for friends and botanical gardens. The popularity of the Poinsettia took off.
Today, there are well over 100 varieties that feature bract (modified leaves) colors other than red. This includes pink, burgundy, white, mauve, marbled and speckled. And with the introduction of Poinsettia Paint, you can have any color under the rainbow!
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