 |
How to care for poinsettias after Christmas |
|
|
|
|
|
During the festive holiday season many will purchase potted poinsettias from there local garden center or nursery as a holiday decoration. If you host a festivity at your house you may receive the potted poinsettia as a hostess gift. Either way we want to provide some tips that may help you to make that plant rebloom next Christmas.
Basically, Poinsettias are easy to grow and maintain. However if you want them to bloom into a second season it will take some effort but is not impossible. Start by thinking them of a basic houseplant instead of a Christmas only plant.
Start by placing the garden planter in a area with bright light, water slightly and feed with fertilizer according to the label directions. Unfortunately the leave or flower petals will fade and fall off. At this point cut the stems to just below the flowers and let them continue to grow.
Come next Spring, when the temps are consistently about 50 degrees. place the potted poinsettias outside where they can get bright sunlight. They will grow but will remain green all summer long. Prune back the plants to one third in midsummer and repot them in a slightly larger pot. Use new potting soil and feed with fertilizer during this growing time.
At the end of summer, bring the pots indoors when temps start dropping below that 50 degree mark. From Sept thru Oct the plants need 15 hrs a day of uninterrupted darkness and 65 degree temps. This is the secret to triggering new flowers and for the leaves to change color.
Every day at 5 pm you need to cover the plants. Uncover them at 8 in the morning. Absolutely no light can penetrate the darkness. Place a box over them if you must. In a spare room no light can come in thru a door or window crack.
If you successfully carry out this darkness routine by early November the plant will develop the red color and you can end the daily darkness and move the plant into indirect light to grow.
|
| [Read More] Grow Potted Bromelaid Houseplants |
| [Read More] DIY Flowerpot Makeovers |
| potted poinsettia rebloom poinsettia poinsettia tips garden tips potting tips planters pots terracotta |
By Arizona Pottery
Post Last Updated: 8/22/2023 12:13:26 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
