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Prune off the old stems in late winter or early spring by cutting them back to 4 to 6 inches in height and leaving one to three leaves on each stem. This forces new growth to appear at the leaf axis and paves the way for a full plant that can support many blooms.
When should I cut back my poinsettia?
In late spring, when overnight temps outdoors are above 50 degrees, prune new shoots back to four inches and sink your poinsettia—pot and all—into a protected spot in your flower bed and let it stay there until early fall when overnight temps dip back into the 40s.
How do you pinch a poinsettia back?
Traditionally, poinsettia plants are pinched by decapitating the plant apex with a finger-nail or a knife. All the tissue above the point of the pinch is removed. The objective in pinching is to get rapid and uniform growth of the lateral shoots on a plant.
How do you take care of a poinsettia year round?
How to Care for Poinsettias Year-Round Step 1: Start with a Healthy Poinsettia Plant. Step 2: Move the Poinsettia to a Larger Container. Step 3: Keep Poinsettias in the Sun. Step 4: Water Poinsettias Correctly. Step 5: Prune Poinsettias. Step 6: Keep Poinsettias in the Dark. Step 7: Fertilize Poinsettias.
Can you cut poinsettias and put in water?
To display cut poinsettia flowers in a vase, cut the stem the desired length, and quickly sear the cut end with a small pocket lighter. Put the poinsettia in a deep bucket of water that covers most of the stem and leaves, but allows the colorful bracts to stay dry.
What do you do with poinsettias after Christmas?
Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hours of indirect, but bright, sunlight each day. In mid-April pinch back the stems to 6-8 inches and place the plants in a sunny location. When new growth begins, you may use a liquid fertilizer to ensure the plants get enough minerals, especially calcium.
How often should you water a poinsettia?
In your home, put the poinsettia in a well lighted area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.
Should I deadhead my poinsettia?
Poinsettias naturally grow to be a large shrub. To keep them at a compact size during the year, you will have to cut the stems to a shorter length. Once you have cut off the dead leaves that block them, you can cut off the stems more easily to this length.
Why is my poinsettia leggy?
A: Lack of light might be playing a slight role, but poinsettias naturally get leggy in home settings. That’s primarily because poinsettias are typically treated with compounds known as “plant growth regulators” in greenhouses to keep them compact and dense. Then pot or plant them for the summer.
How long do fresh cut poinsettias last?
Cut poinsettias that have had their cut ends singed properly can often last up to two weeks in a cut flower arrangement.
Do poinsettias last as a cut flower?
Poinsettias are not only beautiful seasonal houseplants; they are outstanding as cut flowers as well. This seals the milky sap of the plant in the stem and will keep the flower from wilting.
How long do cut poinsettia flowers last?
Poinsettias as Cut Flowers Or tuck the stems into floral picks, those water-filled tubes that cut flowers come in, and nestle them into holiday wreaths or Christmas trees. Get our helpful tips for creating a poinsettia flower arrangement that will last up to two weeks.
Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.
Do I water a poinsettia from the top or bottom?
When should I water my poinsettia? Water your poinsettia plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Thoroughly moisten the soil to the point that water is draining from the bottom of the growing pot. Discard any excess water that builds up in the saucer or decorative foil pot cover.
How long do potted poinsettias live?
If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for 2 to 3 months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
Do poinsettias need a lot of sunlight?
Poinsettias need six hours of light daily (fluorescent light will work). Keep your plant away from cold windows, warm or cold drafts from furnaces or air conditioners, and open doors and windows.
What does an overwatered poinsettia look like?
If your Poinsettia is wilting, or if it has yellowing leaves, this is a sign that it’s likely being overwatered. One way to confirm this is by feeling its soil. If the soil is wet and your plant is wilting then it’s probably being overwatered.
Can you use ice cubes to water poinsettias?
Poinsettias should never dry out to the point of wilt. If you can water the poinsettia well once per week, placing 6-8 ice cubes in the container every day will do a good job of keeping the soil adequately moist.
