Celebrating 10 years of helping your gardens grow!
[ The Garden Helper][ Gardening Basics][ "How to" Guides][ House plants][ Glossary of Terms]
[ Garden Encyclopedia][USDA Zones][ Monthly Reminders][ Free Screensavers][Recipes]
[ **** The Gardener's Forum ****]

Care and Growing Requirements for
Poinsettias in the garden

January 3,1999 My grandparents have received several poinsettias this Christmas season and my grandfather was wondering if he could replant them in his yard and enjoy them for years to come and if he could, what should he do to ensure that he gets the prettiest blooms next year. Thanks a lot.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are native to Mexico and like lots of heat. Poinsettias which are grown outdoors may often reach 8-10 feet in height, and may become quite leggy, so regular pruning about every 2 months is a must. Pinching the tips will produce a bushier plant with smaller flower bracts, while thinning the branches will produce larger bracts. Growing them outdoors generally requires a minimum temperature of about 45 degrees, and they do best with night temperatures of about 60 degrees. (They will tolerate a VERY light frost) In areas where the temperatures drop below this, I suppose that the most prudent method of keeping these holiday favorites growing year after year is to keep them in a sunken pot which can be brought into the house when the temperatures drop. If you want to plant a poinsettia in the garden after the holiday season, make sure to keep it healthy while indoors by placing the plant in a sunny, draft-free location and watering it when it is approaching dryness. Avoid sudden temperature changes. When the leaves fall in late winter, cut the stems back to the two healthiest buds and reduce watering to the bare minimum. When frost danger has past you can move the plants outdoors. Choose a well-draining location in full or partial sun preferably against a southern exposure wall to protect them from strong winds which would quickly tear them to shreds. When new growth begins to show, feed with an all purpose water soluble fertilizer every other week, or you may use slow release pellets. The soil should be slightly acid. Root disease is a major problem with Poinsettias, so garden soil is NOT recommended if you are repotting your plant to a larger pot. Use only a sterilized, lightweight potting mix.
Poinsettias are short day plants. Although they will eventually bloom, if you want the plants in bloom for the holidays they must be subjected to at least six weeks of 14 hours of total darkness per day (mid to late September). This may be accomplished by placing a potted plant in a closet or unlighted room, or by covering the plant with black cloth, black plastic frame or a cardboard box. The plant should then be returned to the light each day and given a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun. Feed your plant every 2 weeks with a high nitroger fertilizer once color has begun to show.
Where did the Poinsettia come from? How do you care for a Poinsettia as a house plant?
Click Here
CAUTION: Poinsettia sap may irritate your skin, so I would advise using rubber gloves whenever you are doing any pruning, pinching or cutting of these plants!

[ Home page][ The Garden Helper][ Site index]
[ Plants by common terms][ Plants by botanical terms][ 'How to' Gardening guides][ Monthly reminders]
[ Free Screensavers][ Animations and Graphics][ Nature Photos]
[ Gardeners Forum][ Gardening Glossary][Link to the Garden Helper]

Have a great gardening day!

[poinsettia+outdoor]


	Web TheGardenHelper.com

Care and Growing Requirements for Poinsettias in the garden

Care and Growing Requirements for
Poinsettias in the garden