Does anyone know how to keep a pointsettia plant from one year to the next. My cousin gave me a beautiful plant at the beginning of December and it is still going strong. I have heard that if you keep them in a cool dark place, they will "reflower" the following year. Is this true? Do I need to water it on a regular basis if I do keep it in a cool dark place? Any help would be appreciated.
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Forcing Poinsettias to Bloom
Poinsettias bloom in response to shortening daylight hours. If you wish to coax your poinsettia to bloom in time for the holidays, you will need to put the plant in total darkness for at least twelve hours (fourteen is better) each night for approximately ten weeks (this also applies to forcing Christmas Cacti to bloom). Late September or early October is a good time to begin this regimen. You can place your plant inside a box, a cupboard, or a closet to achieve complete darkness. Be sure to bring your plant out during the day and place it in a bright, sunny spot. After it flowers, gradually decrease the water until the bracts all drop, then allow the plant to dry out completely (like many of the euphorbias, this is a desert plant). Store in a place with cooler temperatures (50 degrees); remember we are trying to recreate a Mexican Winter, so a 50 degree basement or garage makes a fine location.
When it really begins to warm up again (Late May for us, but just so long as you're around 50 degree evenings), repot your mummy in the same pot with fresh soil and start to water again (we stopped gradually and that's a good way to start) and fertilize (also gradually). Around August, cut the plant back by a third and make a decision. Do we want bushy with small flowers or shrubby with big flowers (my pick)? If we choose the latter we cut the plant back to three to five stems and grow it out (remember gloves if you have sensitive skin). A poinsettia can look quite lovely when planted with foliage plants with contrasting leaf color, shape, and/or size. Dont prune your plant any later than September, however, if you wish to force it to bloom for Christmas.
Poinsettias like lots of bright, indirect sunlight and prefer humid conditions (so you may want to mist your plant if your home is very dry due to heating or climate). As for watering, let the soil dry out between watering. The soil should be dry to the touch. Also, be sure not to let the plants pot stand in water at the plants base or saucer(A layer of pebbles in the bottom of the tray keeps the plant out of the water and increases the humidity around the plant). Poinsettias are sensitive to extreme temperature, so dont place your plant next to a heater or near a drafty window or doorway. A daytime temp of around 65 degrees and nights around 60 degrees will provide perfect conditions for your poinsettia.
Paul Ecke Ranch is the largest Poinsettia grower in the world. jhall@eckeranch.com and you can find alot more info about the poinsettia at www.apsnet.org/
Three years ago I also received a beautiful poinsettia which I cut back when it stopped flowering. I continued to water it through the remainder of the winter and in the Spring put it outside on the deck with the rest of my houseplants. It flourished and flowered one more time, but I was not able to keep it going a second time. Good Luck!
I understand it is necessary to repot the poinsettia, but what kind of soil is best for it and how do I keep it going like regular plants. I don't want my poinsettia to perish. What should I do to keep it going strong for years on in?
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