Poinsettia Locations
Christmas flower are tropic plant , and are n’t at all cold - fearless , but can survive quite well year - round outdoors in southern climates or just for the summer in colder regions . They are best beseem to USDA zone 9 to 11 . Plant outdoors after the last hoar danger is past , and choose a blot where the industrial plant will get plenty of morning sunshine , but has light or partial shade in the blistering good afternoon .
With poinsettias , you must balance its needs between piss and sun . They like dirt that is somewhat cool and evenly moist , so the fond shade is good . However , it ’s not a wetland works , so do n’t pick a spot where water will stand up or pool . The soil should be well - drained and fat .
Poinsettia Care
Mulch around the theme of poinsettias outdoors , to avail keep on soil wet and keep the soil nerveless . Fertilize once a calendar month with liquid fertilizer if your soil is not very fat with constitutive matter . If you do have rich soil , you credibly wo n’t postulate to fecundate more than once ; do this at the start of the spring farm time of year .
Water when the stain at the base of the plant is dry to the tactile sensation . In the former fall or early winter , edit back old growth on the plant to encourage secure fresh growth in the spring . If you want more flowers , snarf off last shoots occasionally through the leaping and early summertime .
Poinsettia Flowering
make poinsettias to sour their signature ruddy holiday color is difficult . This requires them to be in total darkness for 14 to 16 hour a daytime . The recommend time physique for this is from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. , when temperature are cooler . The ideal nighttime temperature for flowering is between 55 and 60 academic degree Fahrenheit , and temperature warmer than 70 grade can or else cause decay .
This will mean you will have had to fetch them indoors in the fall , and the darkness should be imposed around October 1 , to make them flower in December . A closet without a heating vent is a good localization to keep them in darkness , perhaps with black plastic or unintelligible fabric coverings . convey them out into sunlight for at least six hr during the day .
Poinsettia Propagation
Christmas flower are usually spread by cuttings . Take 8 - inch cuttings from the tips of poinsettia staunch in the summer , and dip them in rootle endocrine such as that available for roseate clipping . Alternately , an easier method is to take woody stem cutting , about 18 inches , spot in robust soil , and keep moist , but not loaded , for several weeks .
Do this early enough in the summertime that you do n’t risk frost harm to the young cuttings , or bring them inside if this is done recently in the class . They are tight - develop ; the stock jackpot - sizing Mexican flameleaf sold in stores around Christmas are forcibly minuscule , and will grow many feet tall when planted outdoors .
Poinsettia Pests and Diseases>
poinsettia are susceptible to stem grayback , but this can be avoided by proper mulching and watering . They also are bother by bacterial or greasy canker , both due to conditions that are too warm and moist . molder at crownwork , collar or rootage also will go forth in crocked , warm conditions .
If the plant is too frigid and too dampish , you may risk grey mold on the soil and stem turn of the poinsettia , which can be avoided by proper temperature and good air circulation . mould and stem rotting can materialize when the plant becomes overcrowded with foliage and stems ; avoid this by unconstipated pruning .
Want to learn more about poinsettias?
Check out these Web sites chosen by us for more information on the subject :
The University of Illinois Urban Extension hasFAQ on poinsettias .
Poinsettia history and carein Southern gardens from Florida .
The Center for Integrated Pest Management from the University of California detailssigns and treatments for many poinsettia problems .
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