History of poinsettias
Interestingly, poinsettias are a fairly recent arrival to the United States.
In the 19th century the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett discovered them in the wilds of southern Mexico.
Hence the reason for their name.
Over time the plant has become a widespread feature in homes across the country. It’s even earned its own holiday – the 12th of December, which honors both the poinsettia and the man who brought it to our country.
While poinsettias are sold across the country every winter did you know it’s possible to keep these beautiful plants beyond the Christmas season and enjoy them every year?
Here’s how.
Keeping poinsettias alive and healthy
Keep them warm
The best temperature for poinsettias is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit so keep your plant in an area that’s free from drafts.
Set the poinsettia in direct sunlight where possible, near a window facing to the south, west or east.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet
Don’t let the soil dry out; keep it moist while your plant is still in bloom. However, avoid letting it sit in water. Remove the plant from the container it’s sitting in, soak it thoroughly and then gently return it to the container.
In short, if the soil feels dry to the touch it’s time to re-water.
Snip it back
In the springtime let your plant dry out a little more between waterings. Then snip back about four inches from the stems to ensure the plant is lush and full when it blooms again in the winter.
It’s also a good time to fertilize your poinsettias.
Move your poinsettias
In early summer move your poinsettias in a moderately sunny location outside. Look for an area that has good morning sunlight that is partially shaded in the afternoon.
By putting them in a warm – but not too hot – location you’ll have to water less often than if you put your poinsettia in direct hot sunlight.
As new branches begin to grow cut back another inch from each stem and continue to add fertilizer regularly to encourage more growth.
Note: To avoid burning the roots, only add fertilizer when the soil is moist.
Pesky pests
Look on the underside of the leaves for whiteflies and/or aphids. Use the following natural pesticide recipe (or purchase a commercial one) to rid your plant of these pests.
Natural pesticide:
One teaspoon of mild dish detergent combined with one gallon of water. Put in a spray bottle and spray on your plants regularly.
Watch the temperature
It’s time to move the plants back indoors when the outside temps dip below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you move your plants indoors, put them in a dark room (or cover them with a cardboard box) for at least twelve hours to aid your poinsettias in flowering.
After the initial twelve hours of darkness, put your plants in a location inside your home that gets a lot of sunshine.
It should take about eight weeks for blooms to begin for the winter season.
Don’t add fertilizer at this point, just keep your poinsettias watered and enjoy their lovely blooms another year.
