Caring for Poinsettias

and Making Them Re-bloom

Poinsettias, a bright and cheerful symbol of the holiday

season, are often thought of as "throwaway" plants to be

set on the curb when their red blooms fade. Rather than

buying a new plant each December, with proper care you can

keep your poinsettias blooming for another holiday season.

Poinsettia plants enjoy indirect sunlight for at least six

hours each day while they are blooming. They prefer to be

slightly on the dry side and will not be happy if they are

overwatered. While the plant is flowering it should not be

fertilized, but after the plant has finished blooming an all-

purpose fertilizer may be applied..

To enjoy your poinsettia blooms for another holiday season,

it should be cut back to about 8 inches in late March or early

April. It can be fertilized about once a month, and by late

May new growth will begin to appear.

Once there is no more danger of frost and nighttime temperatures

stay above 55 degrees F, your poinsettia may be kept outdoors

for the summer. Fertilizing can be done every 2-3 weeks during

the summer, and the plant can be pruned to keep it full and

compact. In warm climates a poinsettia may be planted directly

in the garden but in cooler climates it is best to transplant

your poinsettia into a pot that is just slightly larger than

its original pot. This can be done in early June. Be sure to

use a well-draining potting soil.

As temperatures begin to cool in late summer, the plant should

again be brought indoors. Longer nights will cause poinsettias

to set buds and produce flowers during November or December.

To encourage your poinsettia to bloom for the Christmas holiday,

you must carefully control the amount of light the plant receives.

To bloom for Christmas, the plant must be kept in total darkness

for 14 hours each night during October, November and early

December, along with 6-8 hours of bright sunlight. This can be

accomplished by moving the poinsettia to a dark closet each

night, making sure that no light sneaks beneath the door. Or

simply cover the plant with a large box each night. No peeking!

Any stray light will upset the schedule.

During October, November and early December the plant needs 6-8

hours of bright sunlight along with 14 hours of total darkness.

The ideal temperature for your poinsettia is between 60 and 70

degrees. Warmer or cooler temperatures can also delay flowering.

Continue fertilizing monthly until the blossoms appear.

Follow this schedule of daylight and darkness for 8-10 weeks and

your poinsettia will reward you with a colorful holiday display!

.