Poinsettias
'Tis the season for Poinsettias. Here are some basic instructions for keeping them alive through the holidays. Also some instructions for those of you who what to try to get it to flower again next season.
Poinsettia care
Be sure to pierce the bottom of the wrapper around your pot in order to allow for proper drainage.
Remember to place a waterproof container beneath the pot to catch the drainage water. Be sure to
empty the drainage water as the leaves will turn yellow if the plant is left in water.
Do not let the soil dry out. It should be kept moist. The Poinsettia will last longer with temperatures not
over 75 degrees F during the day and 60-65 degrees F at night.
HOW TO RE-FLOWER YOUR POINSETTIA
You may want to attempt to re-flower your poinsettia for next year’s holiday. It takes a lot of dedication
and effort.
First Step: This holiday season, remember to take care of your plant. Again do not allow the plant to dry
out or over water it.
February: Your poinsettia may begin to fade in color. Keep the plant in a sunny window.
April: During the middle of April, cut back the stems to approximately 6” above the soil.
May: Start to fertilize with a balance fertilizer (20/20/20 or 20/10/20 content of nitrogen, potassium,
and phosphorus), fertilizer one teaspoon per gallon of water, every third watering.
June: Check to see if there is an abundance of roots, if so re-pot in a commercial potting soil and a little
larger pot. The plant may be placed outside in light shade once temperatures remain consistently above
55 degrees F. Fertilize with one tablespoon of balance fertilizer every second time you water.
Mid-August: The plant should be kept inside in direct sunlight, cut the stems back again, this time
leaving 3-4 leaves per shoot. Continue to water and fertilizer.
Mid- September to First of December: The plant should stay in direct sunlight until 5:00pm. From
5:00pm to 8:00am the plant should be placed in complete darkness. Try putting it in a closet or covering
it with a light tight box to accomplish the needed darkness.
Your re-flowering plant may not look like the plant in stores. You must remember that the store plants
are grown in a very controlled environment. Good Luck!
Poinsettia care
Be sure to pierce the bottom of the wrapper around your pot in order to allow for proper drainage.
Remember to place a waterproof container beneath the pot to catch the drainage water. Be sure to
empty the drainage water as the leaves will turn yellow if the plant is left in water.
Do not let the soil dry out. It should be kept moist. The Poinsettia will last longer with temperatures not
over 75 degrees F during the day and 60-65 degrees F at night.
HOW TO RE-FLOWER YOUR POINSETTIA
You may want to attempt to re-flower your poinsettia for next year’s holiday. It takes a lot of dedication
and effort.
First Step: This holiday season, remember to take care of your plant. Again do not allow the plant to dry
out or over water it.
February: Your poinsettia may begin to fade in color. Keep the plant in a sunny window.
April: During the middle of April, cut back the stems to approximately 6” above the soil.
May: Start to fertilize with a balance fertilizer (20/20/20 or 20/10/20 content of nitrogen, potassium,
and phosphorus), fertilizer one teaspoon per gallon of water, every third watering.
June: Check to see if there is an abundance of roots, if so re-pot in a commercial potting soil and a little
larger pot. The plant may be placed outside in light shade once temperatures remain consistently above
55 degrees F. Fertilize with one tablespoon of balance fertilizer every second time you water.
Mid-August: The plant should be kept inside in direct sunlight, cut the stems back again, this time
leaving 3-4 leaves per shoot. Continue to water and fertilizer.
Mid- September to First of December: The plant should stay in direct sunlight until 5:00pm. From
5:00pm to 8:00am the plant should be placed in complete darkness. Try putting it in a closet or covering
it with a light tight box to accomplish the needed darkness.
Your re-flowering plant may not look like the plant in stores. You must remember that the store plants
are grown in a very controlled environment. Good Luck!
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