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Master Gardenersm Column for the Week of December 27, 2004
Charlie Spencer
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer

POINSETTIA CARE

It is that time of the year again when most of us have either bought or received a poinsettia for the holidays.

First, a little history lesson if some of you do not know the origin of the poinsettia. When Joel Poinsett was ambassador to Mexico in the early 1800s, he saw these beautiful plants and decided to bring them back to the United States. This is how the poinsettia came by its name. This plant is now one of our most endearing holiday decorations and has produced a business into the millions.

The poinsettia needs protection from direct south or west sun. If the light is sufficient for reading, it will be okay for the plant. As a houseplant, it prefers a night temperature of 60-65 and 65 during the day. If this is not possible, make sure that you do not place it too near a window which gets direct sunlight or near a heating vent. Also, do not let the plant touch a cold window. The soil should be kept uniformly moist. You may have to water it two or three times a week. In a warm house in late winter, the poinsettia often loses its leaves unless it is watered almost daily.

Care After Flowering
Lessen the amount of water applied after blooming has stopped. Allow the plant to go dormant. During this time, you can keep this plant in temperatures of 50? but no cooler.

When the weather warms in spring, repot the plant. Bury the pot up to the rim in an area of the garden receiving plenty of sun. Prune at this time, since most poinsettias, after blooming in the winter, become quite leggy. Keep the plant short and compact by pinching out the tips of all new shoots that develop until the middle of August. Water the plant with a solution of one teaspoon of soluble fertilizer per one gallon of water every two weeks during the summer. Bring the potted poinsettia in the house before the first frost.

Now comes the fun part. You must do the following if you want to produce bracts (blooms) for the next holiday season. Starting October 1 slip a light-tight box over the plant at 5 p.m. and keep it in place until 8 a.m. It is very important that the cover be light-tight. Continue watering and fertilizing during this period. Continue to cover the plant each evening until color begins to show in the top leaves. If these requirements have been met, color should develop in the uppermost leaves starting in the third week of November.

Just imagine the fun and thrill you will get when you have accomplished this feat. Good luck!

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master GardenersmVolunteer

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Date Created 12/21/2004