Quick sum-up
Poinsettias , with their vivacious red orwhite bracts , are a quintessential holiday decoration . However , growing these festive works can be a challenge . If you ’re wondering how to get poinsettia to grow , this comprehensive guide will supply you with all theessential tipsand tricks to nurture these beautiful blossom .
Understanding Poinsettia Growth
lobster plant are native to Mexico andCentral America , where they thrive in ardent , humid surround . As tropic plants , theyrequire specific conditionsto flourish :
Propagation
Poinsettias can be spread throughstem cuttingstaken fromhealthy plantsin spring or summertime . Here ’s how to propagate poinsettias:1 . Take a 4 - 6inch bow cuttingfrom a ripe plant.2 . Remove thelower leavesfrom the cutting.3 . Dip the end of the cut in rooting hormone.4 . Plant the cutting in apot filledwith well - draining pot mix.5 . Keep thesoil moistandprovide shining , indirect light.6 . Roots should develop within 4 - 6 weeks .
Overwintering
Christmas star are not cold - hardy and cannotsurvive freezing temperature . Tooverwinter poinsettias , bring them indoors before the first frost.1 . step by step contract tearing frequency and barricade fertilizing.2 . Prune theplant backby half to encourage new growth.3 . Keep the Euphorbia pulcherrima in a nerveless , dark fix , such as a cellar or garage.4 . piss sparingly to prevent the soil from dry out completely.5 . Bring the poinsettia back to a quick , sunny locationinlate winteror early outflow .
Forcing Poinsettias to Bloom
Poinsettias naturally blossom in response toshort daysand long nights . To ram them to flower during theholiday time of year , you could control the idle exposure:1 . Start inearly Octoberby placing the painted leaf in adark roomfor 14 - 16 hour each night.2 . bring home the bacon shining , indirect lightfor the remaining 8 - 10 hours.3 . Continue thislight schedulefor 6 - 8 weeks.4 . Once bracts ( dark-skinned leaf ) appear , discontinue the light handling .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Harvesting and Storing Seeds
If you like tocollect seedsfrom your poinsettia , leave the plant tofully bloomand produce seed pods . Once theseed pods sprain brownand dry , glean them and stack away them in a cool , ironical place . Poinsettias are not self - pollinating , so you may need to span - pollinate flowers from unlike plants to get viable seeds .
The Bottom Line: Nurturing the Festive Spirit
grow lobster plant can be a rewarding experience that brings thefestive spiritinto your home . By following these tips and tricks , you’re able to ensure that yourpoinsettias thriveand bloom twelvemonth after year , adding a touch of vacation cheerfulness to your living space .
What You Need to Learn
Q : Are poinsettias poisonous?A : While Christmas star are not considered highly toxic , they can causemild skin irritationin some individuals . Ingestion oflarge amountsof lobster plant leaf may make stomach upset . Q : Can I keep poinsettias outdoors?A : Poinsettias are not cold - hardy and cannottolerate freezing temperature . They are well suit for indoor cultivation . Q : How long do poinsettias bloom?A : Poinsettias typically bloomfor 4 - 6 weeks . Withproper care , they can sometimes bloom for even longer . Q : Why are my poinsettia leave turning brown?A : Brown leaveson lobster plant can be induce bylow humidity , overwatering , or nutrient inadequacy . Q : Can Ipropagate poinsettiasin water?A : While it is possible topropagate poinsettiasin water , it is not the mostsuccessful method acting . Usingrooting hormoneand potting mix is more often than not more efficient .
