Poinsettias do best in full fall sun and the bracts (colored leaves below the flowers) obtain their deepest color in good light. Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. Trim off any unsightly stem growth or any dead or damaged foliage as it appears until mid- to late summer. Give poinsettias a good pruning after they finish flowering. SERIES 16 | Episode 13. 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. The cut stems can be used to propagate new plants. If you don’t have a dark garden spot, cover your plant with a box or some sort of light-blocking material. Do this by dipping the stem in a rooting hormone and then planting this into a pot with soil. These finicky short-day plants require specific growing needs in order to retain their Christmas blooms. Just in time for Christmas! Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care This has not been documented in wild poinsettias though, as cultivars seldom flower and do not produce fruits. The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. Poinsettias need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts. 1. In the centre of the bracts are the true flowers, an insignificant yellowish cluster. Poinsettias – potted Christmas decoration. Many people are more familiar with the flamboyant Hawaiian hibiscus with its huge colourful flowers. Nothing says Christmas more than a beautiful poinsettia plant. Poinsettias do not require high levels of light, one of the reasons they are favored as a potted plant. Cut back the entire plant to roughly 8 inches to encourage bushier foliage and stem growth later on. A rather leggy-looking small tree in its natural state, regular pruning will keep it bushy. When you deprive the plant in its full leafing stage of light, the only chlorophyll used to turn the leaves green cannot be produced. Poinsettias originate from Mexico and can grow into a large shrub to small tree in the garden. Poinsettias grow well in the warmer zones of Australia. Did you know that in 1925 the poinsettia was chosen to be They have erect, succulent stems and large, scarlet floral leaves or bracts, which look like flamboyant flowers. Where does the tradition of Poinsettia as the Christmas flower come from? Buying poinsettias. 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. However, poinsettias do have a milky, sticky sap that can irritate the skin and eyes, especially for people with latex allergies. It is actually the plant’s leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. The poinsettias grow best in the warmer climates of Australia. 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. Over the grey months of winter look out for the many gardens filled with azaleas, and their vibrantly coloured pink, mauve, orange and golden yellow flowers. The bright bracts are designed to attract insects to the tiny yellow flowers in their centers. 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. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the leaves from green to red (or pink, white, and other shade variations). Flowers are small, yellow. Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color. As of 2012, wild poinsettias are not protected by Mexican law. The Poinsettia is a light sensitive plant. Poinsettias in a church in the Philippines. A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache. (Dropping pollen means it’s near the end of blooming). As flowering shrubs, poinsettias can reach a height of up to ten feet. Beware that it will ooze a white, sticky sap when injured which can cause an allergic reaction in many people, so use gloves and wash hands after pruning. If you want to keep that poinsettia you bought this year over until next year here's what to do. Choosing Plants: Look for bushy plants with lots of colorful bracts that are fully opened yet not covered with pollen. The hibiscus is a beautiful flower. Its flower is white, pink, or red, which is the small one that you can find in the center. 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. Poinsettia sap that can irritate the skin and cause an upset stomach if consumed in large enough quantities. The vibrantly coloured bracts are produced in winter, when many gardens are looking cheerless and bare. Beginning the first of October, protect the plants from light by placing them in a dark closet between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM daily. 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 fiery red flowers of the poinsettia have long been popular as a decorative plant for the festive period due to their long lasting qualities as a potted plant. ... Poinsettias form flower buds when the days are shorter than 12 hours. 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. 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. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). 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. 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. Poinsettias are short-day plants, which means they flower about 10 weeks after the daylight shortens to about 12 hours or less. The flowers of the poinsettia are actually modified leaf structures called bracts. In culture. During the festive season, potted poinsettias are here, there and everywhere. In the centre of the bracts are the true flowers, an insignificant yellowish cluster. Poinsettias bloom when the days get shorter. In Australia, growers control the growing conditions – especially the light – to induce flowering and red bracts, which are formed when the days shorten. Carefully. Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. 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 Poinsettias are sub-tropical plants well known for their Christmas floral displays with their bright scarlet red leaves and dark green foliage from this the real poinsettia flower is the insignificant flower cluster in the centre of the red bracts. However, with proper care, your holiday poinsettia should continue to put out blooms, or in the least remain attractive for weeks after. Poinsettias … The ideal plant size is about 2½ times the pot’s diameter. This will encourage larger flowers and more compact growth. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are native to southern Mexico. Poinsettias have been called the lobster flower and flame leaf flower. 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. So why do we consider them the official Christmas flowers anyway? 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. Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. Stop all pruning in late summer around mid-August because next year's flower buds will be forming. 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. The vibrantly coloured bracts are produced in winter, when many gardens are looking cheerless and bare. Poinsettia care is easy throughout the holidays. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). Poinsettias are not poisonous. This will ensure that the poinsettia is nearer the start of it’s colorful display than the end. Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsettias are native to Central America and are a plant that flowers in the winter months. Quinn Dombrowski/CC-BY-SA 2.0 . Enjoy … In fact, they’re one of the most popular houseplants in the world! By Staff Writer Last Updated Apr 13, 2020 8:18:00 AM ET. Get your Poinsettias to bloom by dark treatment of Poinsettias! Poinsettias’ flowers are the center of the surrounding red leaves, or bracts. How do you take care of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima)? There is a legendary Mexican story from the 17th century about this plant that connects it to Christmas. More than anything else, the most noticeable are the bright leaves. Do take precaution that no such part of the plant touches the cold windowpane which may injure it. 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. Prune poinsettias in spring after the flowers have faded. How Do You Prune Poinsettias? While red is the most popular color, there are also some varieties that can grow pink, peach, or cream leaves. Buying Poinsettias. ... Do not fertilize poinsettias during the blooming period. Ventilation is important, but keep the plant away from drafts. 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