Next to a living Christmas tree, nothing says Christmas like poinsettias. Watters has dozens of colors ranging from traditional shades of red, pink, and white to burgundy, peach, striped, and freckled. They add a festive splash of color to every room and every décor. Perfect as a centerpiece, around the hearth where holiday spirits need lifting. They are the ideal gifts for the office or Christmas party.
Poinsettias change color in response to shorter winter days. The flowers are actually made up of bracts, which look like petals. The tiny yellow flowers in the center are called cyathia. The colorful bracts attract insects to the flowers and will drop after pollination.
Poinsettias are NOT harmful to animal or human health. But they should not be eaten. The sticky white sap can cause a skin rash, so gloves are recommended when working with these plants. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth. Wash tools well after use as the sap can make tools sticky.
Poinsettias come in many colors
You will find poinsettias around the holidays to fit any decorative scheme. They range from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red. Some varieties have bracts with red and white patterns, pink and white, green and white, and even bright orange. Flower forms vary as well, with some looking similar to a rose.
Watering
Keep your plant’s soil moist. Water when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, or the pot feels lightweight when lifted. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry they wilt. Never let poinsettia pots sit in excess water. Constant wetness will rot plant roots.
Fertilizing
You do not need to fertilize your Poinsettia during the holidays. Start fertilizing your plant when new green leaves, stems, and bracts form in spring. Fertilize with Watters Flower Power plant food. Mix with water at half the recommended strength. Feed your Poinsettia monthly to keep the plant healthy and provide the necessary nutrients for new growth.
Transplanting
In late spring, transplant your Poinsettia into a larger container, about 2-4″, inches bigger than the original pot, or into a part-sun garden bed. Plant directly into Watters Potting Soil for best results. Water your Poinsettia thoroughly after transplanting with Watters Root & Grow to reduce transplant shock.
Poinsettia care after the holidays and bloom next year
Forcing Poinsettias into color again is easy with a few simple steps. You will need a calendar, so here we go.
This requires excluding light from the plant while keeping the plant healthy. The reduction in light prevents the plant from producing chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plant parts green. Depending on the poinsettia variety, this changes the bracts to red, pink, or white.
New Year’s Day
Fertilize with Watters Flower Power when you see new growth. Provide adequate light and water for a prolonged bloom for several weeks.
Valentine’s Day
Check your plant for signs of insects, such as whitefly. Spray with Watters Triple Action Neem oil at the first sign of bugs. If your plant has become long and leggy, cut back to about five inches tall to promote more compact growth.
St. Patrick’s Day
Prune off faded and dried parts of the plant. Remove leaves from the soil surface, and add more potting soil if the roots are visible. Continue keeping the plant in a bright, sunny window.
Memorial Day
Trim off two to three inches of branches to promote side branching. If you plan to continue growing your Poinsettia as a potted plant, transplant it into a container.
Father’s Day
Move your plant outside for the summer and place it in indirect light. You can also transplant it directly into your garden.
Fourth of July
Trim the plant again. Move it into full sun. Continue to water and fertilize, but increase the amount to accelerate growth.
Labor Day
Move indoors to a spot with at least six hours of direct light daily, preferably more. As new growth begins, reduce the fertilizer to one-quarter of the recommended strength.
Autumn Equinox
Starting on or near September 21, give the plant 16 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Put the plant in a closet, basement, or under a box, then provide 8 hours of bright light daily. Note that the plant cannot receive even the slightest bit of light during the dark period at any time. Continue to water and fertilize at a reduced rate. Rotate the plant daily to give all sides even light.
Thanksgiving
Discontinue the short day/long night treatment. Put the plant in a sunny area with at least six hours of direct light. Reduce water and fertilizer.
Christmas
Enjoy your “new” Poinsettia. Start the cycle all over again after the New Year.
My Guide to Reblooming Holiday Amaryllis and Christmas Cactus.
Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners grow better holiday plants here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10HousePlants.com.
