For:
By: Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Keeping the
Killing the Christmas poinsettia should not be an after the holiday tradition. Unfortunately, of the 40 to 50 million sold each year many only last a few weeks due to improper care.
A healthy, well kept poinsettia can last all winter long and then double as a patio plant next spring and summer. Some residents plant them outdoors in the spring and enjoy landscape color the following fall, barring an early frost.
The biggest challenge is keeping the plant looking good indoors for two or three months after the holidays. Following are some tips:
■ Selection: Choose the freshest poinsettia possible. This can be done by examining the flowers. The brightly colored part of the plant is not the flower. These are modified leaves known as bracts. The true flowers are the small structures in the center of each circle of bracts. Sometimes called “nubs,” most of them should not have matured enough to produce pollen.
Faded bracts and lots of pollen present indicate an older plant that is past its prime. In addition to brightly colored bracts, the foliage should be healthy and lush. Consider too, that some poinsettia cultivars naturally have darker green leaves than others.
■ Handling: Get the plant home with as little fluctuation in temperature as possible. Make plant purchases last, so that the poinsettia is not left exposed in a parked vehicle for long periods.
Sleeves
should be removed from poinsettias as soon as possible. Though sleeves are a great help in preventing
damage during transport, they result in the crowding together of stems and
branches. Such crowding can cause disease and leaf drop due to an increased
concentration of ethylene gas produced by the foliage.
■ Light: Place the plant near a sunny window where it will receive the most available light. A window that faces south, east or west is better than one that faces north. Don’t allow any part of the plant to touch the windowpane because this can injure it.
■ Temperature:
Poinsettias keep well if exposed to temperatures in the sixty degree F.
range at night and in the seventies during the day. These temperatures are usually found in the
coolest room in the house. Avoid placing
plants near electronic equipment as the extra heat can cause more rapid drying
of the potting medium.
■ Watering: Most poinsettias are killed or rendered unfit for display because of improper watering practices. Examine the soil daily and water when the surface first becomes dry to the touch. Water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container.
A pot with a four inch diameter requires about six ounces of water per irrigation, while a five inch pot requires nine ounces and a six inch pot needs about twelve ounces. If a saucer is used beneath the pot, discard the water that collects in it. Do not leave the plant standing in water.
Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. If wilting occurs, immediately water and then repeat the watering five minutes later. This is necessary to thoroughly wet an excessively dried out root ball.
Question of the Week: I recently planted some strawberries in the garden. Is it necessary to protect them from frosts and freezes?
Answer: No, strawberry
plants are very cold tolerant in gardens along the