Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) remain one of the most popular of holiday plants. Growers have expanded the range of colors from the familiar red to pink to yellow and variations in between. They are also inexpensive so the question becomes: Do I try to get them to rebloom next year (or years) or toss them into the compost heap?
First, let's talk about how to care for them during the holidays so that you can get a good start on reblooming. When you first bring your new poinsettia home, put it in an area of the house that gets good light (avoid a north window); maintain a draft-free environment with temps of 65-75; water thoroughly whenever the surface soil feels dry but don't allow the plant to sit in water.
Now that we have gotten the plant through the holidays, what next? Follow this month-by-month schedule:
January - March: Keep watering the plant whenever the surface is dry.
April 1: Gradually decrease the water, allowing the plant to get dry between waterings. In a week or two, move it to a cool spot (basement, heated garage), around 60 degrees. Continue to water.
May: In mid-May, cut the stems back to about 4 inches and repot in a slightly larger container with new potting soil. Water well. Take it out of the basement, put it in a bright window, keep the temp 65-75, and continue watering whenever the surface feels dry. Watch for new growth. Once the new growth appears, start fertilizing every 2 weeks with a complete fertilizer.
June: Move the plant outside into a partially shaded location and continue to water and fertilize.
July: In early July, pinch back each stem by about one inch to encourage a full plant.
August: By mid-August, pinch or cut new stems, leaving 3-4 leaves on each shoot. Bring the plant back indoors to the brightest window and continue watering and feeding.
September: Continue as above.
October: Beginning October 1st, keep the plant in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am. Move the plant back to the sunny window during the day and continue watering and feeding.
November: Around the last week of November, stop the darkness treatment and keep the plant in the window.
December: Stop fertilizing around the middle of the month. Keep watering and it should look fabulous by Christmas.
By Michele Gottlick, Master Gardener
