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Poinsettias
The assigned botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima.
The United States’ first ambassador to Mexico, Joel
Robert Poinsett, sent several plants back to his home in
Greenville, South Carolina in 1825. The common name,
poinsettia, comes from his last name.
The poinsettia is not a poisonous plant. Research at a
major university has proven that the poinsettia is not
lethal to humans and pets. However, your poinsettia and
all house plants should be out of reach of small
children since varying degrees of discomfort may be
experienced if plant parts are ingested. |
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Taking Your Plant Home:
If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are
common in December, you’ll have to provide some
protection to your poinsettia when transporting it to
your home. The store should provide a paper sleeve or
plastic bag that you can use to cover the plant. Even
so, never expose the plant to cold temperatures for more
than a few minutes; a chilled or frozen plant will begin
to drop leaves very quickly. Once inside, remove the
protective wrapping immediately and prepare to enjoy
your new poinsettia. |
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Taking Care of Your Poinsettia:
With proper care your poinsettia will last through the
holiday season and retain it bracts well into the new
year. Pay close attention to the following care tips:
- Place in a room where there is sufficient
natural light to read fine print but not where the
sun will shine directly on the plant.
- Avoid hot or cold drafts or excess heat from
appliances, radiators or ventilating ducts.
- Place the plant high enough to be away from
traffic, and out of reach of unmonitored children
and animals.
- Set the plant in or on a water-proof container
to protect your furnishings.
Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is
dry to the touch. Remember to discard excess water
from the saucer. - To prolong the bright color of the bracts,
temperatures should not exceed 72°F. during the day
or 60°F. at night.
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Reflowering Your Poinsettia:
If you have a gardener’s green thumb, you may want to
try your hand at reflowering your poinsettia next year.
If you follow these directions very carefully, it is
possible to have your poinsettia in flower by Christmas.
December
Full Bloom. Water as needed.
February
Color fades. Keep near sunny window and fertilize when
new growth appears. Cut stems back to about 8".
June 1
Repot if necessary. Fertilize according to directions.
Continue to water when dry to touch. Move outside if
temperatures do not fall below 50°. Place in light
shade.
Late August
Take inside. Cut stems back, leaving 3 to 4 leaves per
shoot. Sunny window. Water and fertilize as needed.
Sept. 20 ‘til Dec. 1
Keep in light only from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Put in dark
(no lights) 5:00 pm to 8:00 am.
Remember the Key to Success is the following the strict
light/dark instructions very |
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 Ranunculus
Radiant |
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 Peony
Bashful |
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 Iris
My compliments |
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