Poinsettia Tutorial

Photo from Iowa State Extension

I love poinsettias. (Probably because if it's red, I think I have to have it.) I think I have sent more than one to a premature death, unfortunately. However, with a few tips and tricks you and I can both keep our plants alive and thriving. (If we are really lucky, we may even coax it into re-blooming.)

• To start, choose a plant with thoroughly colored bracts ("leaves" in laymen terms).
• Once you get your plant home, place it in an area that will get indirect sunlight at least 6 hours a day.
• Make sure the plant is not near excessive heat or a draft. Poinsettias will suffer at temperatures of 50 degrees or below.
• Be careful not to over water your Poinsettia. Standing water that doesn't drain is a no-no.
• Fertilize your plant after the blooming cycle is over.

How to Re-Bloom your Poinsettia
Once the leaves start to loose their appeal, don't throw the plant out, give re-blooming a try.

• Cut the plant back to 8 inches in height in late March or early April.
• Continue watering as normal.
• Fertilize once.

By May, you will notice some serious growth.

• Once the days are warm and nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees, move the plant outside. Continue to fertilize every 2-3 weeks.
• Additional pruning may be necessary to keep the plant from getting leggy. Prune as necessary, but DON'T prune after September 1.
• Starting October 1, keep the plant in total darkness for 14 hours each night. (The plant will still need 6-8 hours of bright sunlight a day.)

With patience, and a little luck, the plant should be back in bloom by next Christmas.