• Follow
   

Poinsettia care

Submited by- Team Sitagita on 16 Aug, 2011 LIFESTYLE  HOME & OFFICE INTERIORS  

Rate It
  Avg. Rating (0/5)233 Reads0 Comment(s)
Be the first one to Like this post Like It (0)

Poinsettia care


Despite holding the official title of most popular potted plant, the familiar poinsettia remains full of surprises. The brightly coloured "flowers" of the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are actually petal-like leaves, called bracts-the true flowers are the tiny beadlike yellow and green parts, called cyathia, at the centre of the bracts. Unlike many flowering plants, which require long, sunny days to induce flowering, poinsettias produce their colourful bracts as the nights lengthen. Once available only in red, poinsettias now come in a range of colors that includes pink, peach, yellow, and white. Some cultivars have marbled or speckled bracts while others have wavy or ruffled bracts that resemble pompoms. For healthy, long-blooming plants, choose poinsettias with tightly grouped cyathia at the tips of the stems and bracts that are fully coloured (bracts that are greenish around the edges will never colour fully). Pick sturdy plants with stiff stems and lush green leaves all the way to the soil.

During their bloom time, keep poinsettias in bright but indirect light (6 to 8 hours of filtered sun daily) and away from drafts and heaters (if you are putting them indoors), which can cause the leaves to drop. Plants thrive at room temperatures during the day (60F-75F) and prefer slightly cooler nights (60F-65F). Poinsettias are very cold sensitive, so keep them away from chilly windows. Water plants only when the soil is dry.

Later, in spring, after the bracts become a muddy green, cut the plants back to about 6 to 8 inches tall; continue watering, and begin fertilizing biweekly with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer for flowering plants. In summer, repot plants in fresh soil-less potting mix in slightly larger pots, and move outdoors if desired to a spot with morning sun. Continue watering and biweekly fertilizing. Prune plants to encourage a bushy, compact habit.

Making poinsettias re-bloom is a challenge. To induce flowering in time for the holidays, continue watering plants but stop fertilizing by early August or so. Beginning on October 1, move the plants to an absolutely dark room or closet each night, or place them under a box so they receive at least 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness per day-even light from a lamp can disrupt the flowering. Colourful bracts should develop in 6 to 10 weeks.

Be the first one to Like this post Like It (0)

Share your views:

Sitagita Login
 
Post Comment

 
 

POLL

Do baked chips taste better than fried ones?

Do baked chips taste better than fried ones?
 Yes52% | 27 votes
 No29% | 15 votes
 Maybe17% | 9 votes
Total Votes: 51
View all Polls

Latest in Forums

1.jpg
Re: Small scale business ideas for w ...
by shree44021 | 19 Jun, 2013 | 11 replies | 3712 views
Hai..am shree ..am interested to start small business.plz give some ideas.
13.jpg
Re: 10 slogans on dowry system
by Feminist | 19 Jun, 2013 | 13 replies | 1913 views
Ridhima,Sakshi,Rashi,Vijaya and all others here at SitaGita, man and woman s ...
1.jpg
Re: Homemade beauty tips
by kanika | 19 Jun, 2013 | 3 replies | 993 views
Check some best of Homemade Face packs to up your Beauty Quotient here http ...
Re: Poem on autumn
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 3 replies | 170 views
here are a few poems on autumn http://www.poemhunter.com/poems/autumn/
Re: Face creams sold in Melas
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 4 replies | 349 views
try this link http://www.indusladies.com/forums/face-and-skin-care/178942-mel ...
Re: Ladies are Lucky!I envy them!I a ...
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 1 replies | 25 views
LOL
Re: Business Ideas with a budget of ...
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 4 replies | 575 views
also see http://sitagita.com/womensforum/708484-business-ideas-in-women-in-de ...
Re: How to remove one month pregnanc ...
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 4 replies | 4757 views
Abortion by medicine upto 2 months is safe. After that its very unsafe. The reco ...
Re: How to remove one month pregnanc ...
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 4 replies | 4757 views
A detailed how-to information on medical abortion - the safest and most effectiv ...
Re: Paragraph on fashion for student ...
by ridhima | 19 Jun, 2013 | 2 replies | 879 views
here's an essay http://www.shareyouressays.com/3714/523-words-short-for-s ...

Most Active Members

sreevalli050 13 points
Joined: 19 Jun, 2013 13 points gained today
1.jpg
kanika 9 points
Delhi | India
Joined: 17 Jun, 2013 8 points gained today
Aaniya 110 points
Joined: 17 Jul, 2012 7 points gained today
1.jpg
Anushka584 7 points
Bangalore | India
Joined: 19 Jun, 2013 7 points gained today
3.jpg
Aabida 6 points
Mumbai | India
Joined: 19 Jun, 2013 5 points gained today

Recent Activity on SitaGita

1.jpg
shree44021 replied to the forum thread
Re: Small scale business ideas for w...
(7 Hours ago) Gains 5 points
Aaniya likes an article
Censor Board has Suniel Shetty fumin...
(11 Hours ago) Gains 1 point
1.jpg
Anushka584 voted on a poll
What kind of socks do you like to we...
(12 Hours ago) Gains 1 point
1.jpg
Anushka584 voted on a poll
What is your favorite salad?
(12 Hours ago) Gains 1 point
1.jpg
Anushka584 voted on a poll
Do baked chips taste better than fri...
(12 Hours ago) Gains 1 point

Let's Connect @ sitagita

X

Sign up for our newsletter to get latest updates from the most vibrant Indian women community. Subscribe now to get started