Poinsettias
by Gail Hirst
December 29th, 2010 10:17 AM
Poinsettias are used in a variety of ways. They always make wonderful gifts, and as poinsettias look great when displayed in a grouping, you never have to worry if the recipient already has one! From a centerpiece on the Boardroom table, or a miniature decorating the corner of an office desk, to a colourful hanging plant that will brighten any room, the poinsettia is always a perfect fit.
How to Care for your Poinsettia
When transporting, use a large, roomy shopping bag to protect your plants. They are sensitive to our cold temperatures (as compared to Mexico) and are brittle, meaning they can break easily. Poinsettias do best when placed in indirect sunlight for at least six (6) hours per day, or at least three to four hours of direct sunlight minimally, in room temperatures between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit (max 20 degrees Centigrade). Poinsettias need to be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch (the top 2-5 inches, depending of the root ball size). It is common to over-water poinsettias, so do not allow plants to sit in water. The plant likes a high humidity; mist leaves regularly or set pots on a saucer of gravel filled with water, if at all possible. Fertilize the plants after the blooming season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Remember, the red is not the bloom (they are bracts). The bloom is the tiny, inconspicuous, yellow flower.
Poinsettias are sensitive to cold drafts and excessive heat. Do not expose your plants to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Poinsettias will not require fertilizing when they are in bloom.
Though it is commonly assumed Poinsettias are poisonous, the Society of American Florists and Ohio State University conducted a scientific investigation, disproving the charge. In fact, the Poisindex (Registered) Information Service states that over 500 leaves ingested by a 50-pound child would demonstrate no toxicity. Of course, like all ornamental plants, the poinsettia is not intended for human (or animal) consumption.
When selecting a poinsettia, choose plants with thoroughly coloured and expanded bracts. The bracts are the colourful part of the poinsettia, while the true flowers are the small yellow centers. Look for plants with dense, plentiful foliage all the way to the soil line. The plant should be about 2.5 times larger than its pot size. Select plants with strong, stiff stems and no signs of wilting. Be wary of plants displayed in paper, plastic or mesh sleeves, for these can reduce airflow.
After the holidays, with proper care, your poinsettia can bloom for you year after year! By early April, when the coloured bracts begin to turn or fall, cut the plant back hard, leaving only four to six buds. Keep the plant near a sunny window, water and fertilize regularly, and by the end of May, you should see vigorous new growth. Cut your plant back again in early July, and again around Labour Day to promote compact, full growth. Continue to nurture your plant as autumn nears.
Gail Hirst is an Interior Landscape Specialist. 604.984.6341 or email: plantpal@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Dec 05 - Jan 06
How to Care for your Poinsettia
When transporting, use a large, roomy shopping bag to protect your plants. They are sensitive to our cold temperatures (as compared to Mexico) and are brittle, meaning they can break easily. Poinsettias do best when placed in indirect sunlight for at least six (6) hours per day, or at least three to four hours of direct sunlight minimally, in room temperatures between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit (max 20 degrees Centigrade). Poinsettias need to be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch (the top 2-5 inches, depending of the root ball size). It is common to over-water poinsettias, so do not allow plants to sit in water. The plant likes a high humidity; mist leaves regularly or set pots on a saucer of gravel filled with water, if at all possible. Fertilize the plants after the blooming season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Remember, the red is not the bloom (they are bracts). The bloom is the tiny, inconspicuous, yellow flower.
Poinsettias are sensitive to cold drafts and excessive heat. Do not expose your plants to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Poinsettias will not require fertilizing when they are in bloom.
Though it is commonly assumed Poinsettias are poisonous, the Society of American Florists and Ohio State University conducted a scientific investigation, disproving the charge. In fact, the Poisindex (Registered) Information Service states that over 500 leaves ingested by a 50-pound child would demonstrate no toxicity. Of course, like all ornamental plants, the poinsettia is not intended for human (or animal) consumption.
When selecting a poinsettia, choose plants with thoroughly coloured and expanded bracts. The bracts are the colourful part of the poinsettia, while the true flowers are the small yellow centers. Look for plants with dense, plentiful foliage all the way to the soil line. The plant should be about 2.5 times larger than its pot size. Select plants with strong, stiff stems and no signs of wilting. Be wary of plants displayed in paper, plastic or mesh sleeves, for these can reduce airflow.
After the holidays, with proper care, your poinsettia can bloom for you year after year! By early April, when the coloured bracts begin to turn or fall, cut the plant back hard, leaving only four to six buds. Keep the plant near a sunny window, water and fertilize regularly, and by the end of May, you should see vigorous new growth. Cut your plant back again in early July, and again around Labour Day to promote compact, full growth. Continue to nurture your plant as autumn nears.
Gail Hirst is an Interior Landscape Specialist. 604.984.6341 or email: plantpal@telus.net
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Dec 05 - Jan 06
