My Poinsettia Care Tips
Well - where should I start. First off - it’s usually much less of a struggle to just buy a new plant each Christmas season. But then again, you probably already knew that and simply love to care for flowers all year round :) So … most likely you already bought your poinsettia … but still - for those who are just about to - here are some basics to watch out for, when buying these beauties.
5 Important Tips BEFORE you buy a Poinsettia:
1) Larger plants are pretty much always more resistant to improper care
2) Throughout evenly colored bracts are a sign for a healthy plant
3) Are they placed in indirect sunlight? Not as important during winter - but (depending where you live) on hot days, this is crucial. Direct sunlight and hot temps most certainly kill the plant
4) Take a look at the soil. If it looks slightly rotten already, you may just want to skip on this one
5) Take look under the hood! Seriously - make sure there are no plant louses or white-flies beneath the leaves already. This is overlooked so often!
How & when to water your poinsettia:
First off, you should absolutely use a pot with drainage holes! I prefer to water my poinsettias (I’ve got 4) in the bathroom :D and let the excess water just drip right through the drainage holes into the bathtub. I use tepid water btw.
You absolutely dont want your plant to ”drown” in it’s pot - root rot is your enemy! Also … only water your poinsettia if the soil feels dry.
Finding a good spot for your Flower:
Poinsettias are pretty sensitive to temperature changes - placing them next to open doors/windows is not a good idea. They are easily harmed by chilly winds and temperatures - same goes for heat!
Try to find a got balance between a decorative and a bright spot, but without direct sunlight.
“Post blooming”, when the bracts and leaves are gone, you should place your poinsettia(s) in a darker, but not too chilly room. Cut the flower/stems down to about 6-8 inches (~20cm).
If you need more detailed information, here are some links / PDF files:
Tips / Infodoc by University of Northern Carolina (PDF)
So - that’s it pretty much for poinsettia’s. Next up will be - how I almost killed my orchids and how to avoid the stupid mistakes I made :D
