Trim off any unsightly stem growth or any dead or damaged foliage as it appears until mid- to late summer. Buying Poinsettias. While red is the most popular color, there are also some varieties that can grow pink, peach, or cream leaves. Poinsettias should be kept in a warm area away from drafts, so make sure that the poinsettia you purchase from the store is on display in suitable conditions. If you want larger poinsettias during the holiday season, you can leave the stems a bit longer so that they end approximately 8 inches (20 cm) from the rim of the container they are in. (Dropping pollen means it’s near the end of blooming). Buying poinsettias. The Poinsettia is a light sensitive plant. In Australia, growers control the growing conditions – especially the light – to induce flowering and red bracts, which are formed when the days shorten. Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. Cut back the entire plant to roughly 8 inches to encourage bushier foliage and stem growth later on. Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. Look at the small yellow flowers in the middle of the plant to ensure they are still in bud form. Nothing says Christmas more than a beautiful poinsettia plant. Make sure the plant gets enough sun, and water and fertilize regularly. Poinsettia sap that can irritate the skin and cause an upset stomach if consumed in large enough quantities. It is actually the plant’s leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. 1. It's a good idea to wear gloves when handling them and wash off any sap that gets on your skin right away, but there's no danger of anyone getting poisoned by contact with these plants. Where does the tradition of Poinsettia as the Christmas flower come from? A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache. Ventilation is important, but keep the plant away from drafts. Just follow these simple rules: Light: Place your poinsettias in an area where they'll receive a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day. The poinsettias grow best in the warmer climates of Australia. Poinsettias have been called the lobster flower and flame leaf flower. Be careful when transporting poinsettias from the shop to your home in the winter, as the cold outdoor temperatures can damage the foliage. The hibiscus is a beautiful flower. The flowers of the poinsettia are actually modified leaf structures called bracts. Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color. This will encourage larger flowers and more compact growth. Poinsettias do not require high levels of light, one of the reasons they are favored as a potted plant. The colorful “flowers” of poinsettias are actually modified leaves called “bracts.” Poinsettias grow well in moist soil and temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F. They can be grown outdoors during summer. Feed every three to four weeks. Give poinsettias a good pruning after they finish flowering. Many supermarkets scoop poinsettias in with flowers, placing them by the store's front door in the hope customers will be tempted on the way in or out. What Makes Poinsettias Turn Red? So why do we consider them the official Christmas flowers anyway? Poinsettias originate from Mexico and can grow into a large shrub to small tree in the garden. Poinsettias – potted Christmas decoration. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are native to southern Mexico. This has not been documented in wild poinsettias though, as cultivars seldom flower and do not produce fruits. Therefore, to have the plant in full flower by Christmas, keep it in complete darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. from early October for 8 weeks. The Christmas tradition of poinsettias is inspired by Mexican folktale about a poor little girl called Pepita who had no present for the baby Jesus at a Christmas Eve service. As flowering shrubs, poinsettias can reach a height of up to ten feet. By Staff Writer Last Updated Apr 13, 2020 8:18:00 AM ET. Poinsettias are native to Central America and are a plant that flowers in the winter months. Carefully. They have erect, succulent stems and large, scarlet floral leaves or bracts, which look like flamboyant flowers. Once these have wilted and begun to die off, the poinsettia requires a thorough pruning. Flowers are small, yellow. Poinsettias are becoming more and more well known as the festive or Christmas plant as they look absolutely spectacular when they are blooming with gorgeous red flowers and beautiful deep green foliage. The cut stems can be used to propagate new plants. Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. ... Poinsettias form flower buds when the days are shorter than 12 hours. Poinsettias … If you want to keep that poinsettia you bought this year over until next year here's what to do. The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. Quinn Dombrowski/CC-BY-SA 2.0 . More than anything else, the most noticeable are the bright leaves. Choosing Plants: Look for bushy plants with lots of colorful bracts that are fully opened yet not covered with pollen. Poinsettias need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts. Drafts, as well as low temperatures, waterlogged soil, and drought, can cause the lower leaves of the poinsettia to turn yellow and fall from the plant. It is interesting to note though that all that beautiful fiery red seen in December is, in fact, a man-made fabrication; July/August is actually the time when poinsettias are blooming naturally and their bracts become their signature red. Get your Poinsettias to bloom by dark treatment of Poinsettias! Poinsettias may also require some trimming throughout the growing season in order to remain full and healthy. How to Keep Poinsettias Growing To Next Christmas. If you don’t have a dark garden spot, cover your plant with a box or some sort of light-blocking material. The bright bracts are designed to attract insects to the tiny yellow flowers in their centers. SERIES 16 | Episode 13. In fact, they’re one of the most popular houseplants in the world! Poinsettias’ flowers are the center of the surrounding red leaves, or bracts. Poinsettias bloom when the days get shorter. To prune a poinsettia, cut the plant back to 6 to 8 inches above the ground in the spring, then during the summer, pinch off new shoots when they’re about 6 inches long to encourage branching. Potting and Repotting . (Although we refer to the colorful parts of poinsettias as the flowers, those are actually modified leaves, or bracts. The ideal plant size is about 2½ times the pot’s diameter. When you deprive the plant in its full leafing stage of light, the only chlorophyll used to turn the leaves green cannot be produced. How Do You Prune Poinsettias? There is a legendary Mexican story from the 17th century about this plant that connects it to Christmas. In the centre of the bracts are the true flowers, an insignificant yellowish cluster. Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care 1-800 Flowers is another place you can buy a variety of Poinsettias online including this classic holiday design that comes in a festive, on-brand pot. 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