Reblooming Poinsettias

Many of you have purchased one or more of the ever-popular poinsettias to grace your homes during this Christmas season. Some of you may 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 plant into blooming, and thus coloring up, 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. Your poinsettia will require bright indirect light for best growth. If this arrangement is not possible, just provide as much light as possible. Generally, keep the soil moist to the touch, but avoid leaving the plant in standing water. Give it 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 bright as possible interior location.

Around Memorial Day or a few weeks before, plants may have grown tall and may possess many branches and large leaves. Cut back all stems and branches a few inches to promote lateral 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 couple of weeks to acclimate them, then in direct sun.

On July 4, again cut back a portion of the new growth to encourage side branches. Continue to water and fertilize, increasing the amount to accelerate growth. Poinsettias are, after all, 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 may 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!