How to keep your poinsettia alive after the holiday

Many of you have purchased one or more of the ever-popular

poinsettias to grace your homes during this Christmas season. A few of you have

decided, rather than throw them away, to try to keep them for a while. People

are always asking me how they can keep theirs growing and make it come alive

again with color the following year. So, as in years past, I am offering this

article to help you accomplish this.

 

Just because the poinsettia’s bracts (colored leaves) age

and lose their appeal is no reason to throw the plant out. Poinsettias will not

stop growing-they will retain their bright foliage for many weeks or even

months depending on their environment. With proper care and dedication you can

coax your “pet” into reblooming all over again. Come with me through the year

and see how this can be done.

 

After Christmas, place plants in a cool, bright area to

retain color longer-the ideal is 72 degree days, 60 degree nights and at least

six hours of natural light per day. Poinsettias require a lot of bright light for best growth.  If this scenario is not possible, just

give it as much light as possible. Generally, keep plants moist to the touch,

but avoid leaving them in standing water. Give them an all-purpose soluble

fertilizer at recommended rates every couple of weeks.

 

As side shoots begin to develop around Saint Patrick’s Day,

remove fading bracts, dying flowers, and dried foliage at the base of the

plants. Continue to keep the plants in a very bright interior location.

 

Around Memorial Day, plants may have grown tall and possess

many branches and large leaves. Cut back all stems and branches a few inches to promote side

branching.  Repot into a larger

container, being careful to use a sterile commercial potting mix.  Then move plants outside for the

summer, placing them first in indirect light for a few weeks to acclimate them,

then in direct sun.

 

On July 4, again cut back a portion of the new growth to

encourage side branching. Continue to water and fertilize, increasing the

amount to accelerate growth. Poinsettias are fairly heavy feeders.

 

On Labor Day, move the plant back indoors. Give it at least

six hours of direct sunlight as before. Continue to fertilize, but reduce the

concentration by about half.

 

On the first day of October, start giving your poinsettia

13-14 hours of continuous uninterrupted darkness at night. You may put it in a

closet, in the basement, or under a box, as long as you do not let any light

get to the plant at night.  Be sure

to continue to give it plenty of bright light during the day, however.  Short days and long nights induce

flower and bract formation. If possible, keep it at a night temperature of

62-68 degrees. Rotate each week to give all sides of the plant light during the

day.

 

By Thanksgiving, you should be giving thanks for a brand

“new” beautiful and colorful specimen. Enjoy the fruit of your labor through

the month of December and then start a new cycle!

 

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified

Plant Professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture

instructor, and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston

Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on

Hwy 26 two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached

at (478)954-1507, timlewis1@windstream.net, or at LewisFarmsNursery.com.

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