Poinsettia Plants

What are incorrectly considered the plants flower are actually bracts, colourful upper leaves of the plant. The actual flowers are small and insignificant, in the heart of the bracts. Poinsettias now come in large variety of colours, from the traditional red to plants with leaves speckled with white.

Light Plant requires maximum light during the winter Protect from hot summer sun in summer.

Water Wait until soil is moderately dry before watering Water thoroughly Water immediately if leaves start to wilt Water more liberally in summer.

Humidity Mist leaves often during the time it is flowering Avoid dry air or heat vents this will dry the plant out too fast and cause shock

Maintenance These plants are usually discarded after the holiday season. They can bloom again under the right conditions and care.

Special problems and solutions for Poinsettia:

Loss of Flower-head margins yellow or brown: Poinsettia requires dry air, this problem occurs when the air is dry in a warm room.

Insects: Mealy bugs and red spider mite are the main insects that the plan attract.

Loss of Leaves following wilting: This usually occurs when the plant is over water; before watering the plant be sure that the manure is dry around the roots. In addition, if the plant is not water when the manure around the root is dry, the leaves will wilt and fall.

Loss of Leaves without wilting: The loss of leaves without wilting usually occurs when the temperature is too low or when the plant is under the power of hot or freezing droughts.

Poor light causes the leaves to sometime fall.

How to make Poinsettia bloom again next Christmas.

Place the pot in a mild shady position. Remove some of the old compost in early May and water. change the position of the pot and feed regularly. When the plant progress to grow remove some of the new growth to leave 4-5 strong new stems.

Control the light at the end of September. Cover with a black polythene bag and leave in darkness for 14 hours. Continue this treatment for 8 weeks and the plant will bloom at Christmas time.

Types of Poinsettia: Euphorbia pulcherrima, Ecke Supreme, Mrs Paul Ecke and Angelica.