North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service  

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES

Johnston County Center. 806 North Street. Smithfield, NC 27577 . Phone: 919-989-5380 . FAX: 919-989-5475

 

Poinsettia Selection and Care

Poinsettia

 

Selection

 
1.    Select plants with brightly colored bracts and dark green foliage

2.      Avoid plants that have dropped their leaves, are wilted or have faded, torn or discolored bracts.

3.      While transporting it home –

a)     Be sure the plants are covered, or sleeved, if the outside temps are below 50°F

b)       Keep in warm vehicle, do not place in trunk

 

Care

 

Water

a)     Water completely (moisten all soil in pot) but infrequently

b)     Keep constantly moist, NOT SOPPING WET!

c)      Don’t let it dry out

d)     If squeeze soil and water drips off = plant getting too much water

e)     Punch holes in foil liner so excess water can drain out

 

Temperature

a)     Temps between 70 – 75 F at day; 60-65 F at night
b)     Poinsettias are tropical plants

c)      Below 55 F can cause chilling injury; above 75 F can cause color to fade and leaf drop

d)     Avoid placing in cold, drafty locations, by heating vents, fireplaces or on top of appliances

 

Light

a)     Place in South, West, East facing window for light

b)     Flowering plants need bright light conditions        

c)      To avoid chilling injury, don’t let leaves touch cold windowpanes

 

Fertilizer

a)     Only apply fertilizer if keeping plant alive until spring

b)     Start in January

c)      Mix solution at half the normal rate 1 x /month

 

The Prolonged Poinsettia

a)     In the spring, after fear of frost in mid-April, poinsettias can be planted outside 

b)     Cut back stems to 3-4 inches to promote new growth just prior to outside planting

c)      Many will grow to be quite large

d)     Will lose their red color but add a very nice texture to the garden

e)     Will not survive the winter outdoors.  Place in container next fall to bring inside to carry over, if desired. 

 

**Poinsettias are not poisonous.  Research has repeatedly failed to find this plant
to be poisonous, even when ingested in large quantities.   Some individuals may
experience skin irritation from the milky sap.** 

 

POINSETTIA PROBLEM HELPER

 

SYMPTONS

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping;

roots appear white and healthy

1.      Inadequate watering

2.      Low light conditions

3.      Plants were boxed or sleeved too long

     (Epinasty)

Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping;

roots discolored

1.      Root rot caused by overwatering or allowing

      water to remain in saucer

Bracts fade in color

1.      The plant has aged

2.      Temperatures too warm, above 75 F

3.      Low light conditions

Bracts with blue or white discoloration

4.      Chilling injury.  Plants exposed to temps

     below 50 F.

Small, round cyathia (true flowers) in the center

of the bracts drop

5.      Low light conditions

6.      Aged plants

7.      Cultivar with few cyathia

 

 

What is the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service?  The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is an educational organization with the mission of helping individuals, families, and communities put research based knowledge to work to improve the quality of their lives. Extension is supported by state, federal, and county governments. Extension has close ties to the state's two land grant universities, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T State University. This unique partnership allows the Cooperative Extension Service to connect the citizens of Johnston County and North Carolina with the scientists and researchers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land grant universities.

What does it offer?  Extension provides a broad range of educational programs which benefit farmers,rural and urban residents, community leaders, homemakers, parents, and youth. These initiatives focus on sustainable agriculture, rural revitalization, waste management, water resources, food safety and quality, youth development, environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, family development, and health and human safety. Information is also available 24 hours a day through Extension's automated information service, Extension     Teletip, at 1-800-662-7301 for crop reports or www.ces.ncsu.edu/teletip for information ranging from disaster preparation, food safety and financial management to landscaping, lawns, home maintenance and personal growth.