Master Gardening by Sally Waxgiser
Post-holiday Poinsettia care
Poinsettia: Whether you were given one or purchased one of those beautiful flowers that have come to be such an integral part of our Christmas holiday season, you are probably wondering what to do with the plant now. But first, did you know? . . .
Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, was very interested in botany. In 1828, while roaming the Mexican countryside looking for new plants, he came upon the wonderful bush we now call the Poinsettia. Seeing a specimen growing through a crack in Poinsett’s greenhouse and amazed with its color, the German botanist Wilenow assigned the Poinsettia its botanical name, Euphorbia Pulcherrimais, meaning “very beautiful“.
Being a native of Mexico, the Poinsettia requires winter daytime temperatures somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. However, the warmer the temperature is over 70, the shorter the life of the colorful bracts. It is also advisable to keep it in a cooler room at night, say, 55 degrees, if possible, to help extend the bloom. A sunny window is the ideal home location for a poinsettia, but don’t let the leaves touch the cold glass. It is also important to know Poinsettias do not like temperature fluctuations such as hot or cold drafts, so keep them away from heating vents. Check the soil every few days. Check it more often if you are keeping the heat at or above the 70 mark, as this will increase evaporation. Water only when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Water thoroughly, let the excess water drain through the holes and then place it back in the saucer. When the blooming is over, fertilize monthly with a general all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Care in the garden:
The Poinsettia is very sensitive to the freezing temperatures we get in the Panhandle. It is possible to nurture a plant all year only to have it die back to the ground just as it is about to bloom. In order to enjoy its beauty; it’s a good idea to remove it from the garden before frost or plan to protect it from the cold. Whether you place the poinsettia in the garden in the pot or out of the pot, it is important to select a site that gets full sun most of the day.
If planting directly in the soil, it is advisable to dig a hole one foot wider than the root ball. Gently place the poinsettia in the hole and replace the soil around it being careful to plant it the same depth as it was in the pot. Water thoroughly to remove air pockets and mulch to conserve moisture. The cultivars we have today respond well to fertilizer. Poinsettias should be fertilized monthly starting around May with two pounds of a 6-6-6 or an equivalent amount of another complete fertilizer, per 100 square feet of planted area. Continue your monthly applications until September. Water is another crucial consideration for the Poinsettia. The soil should be kept reasonably moist. Extended dry times will seriously affect the quality of the plant, and the lower leaves will turn brown and fall off.
“Poinsettias for Florida Landscapes” is a brochure offered by the University of Florida. It contains most of the items discussed here plus tips on getting your Poinsettia to bloom again next Christmas, using them as cut flowers and a few disorders that befall them. For the brochure (circular 628), call or contact your local Extension Service Office. The Jackson County office is located at 2741 Penn Ave. #3 Marianna, FL 32448, phone them at (850)482-9620 or e-mail them at jacksonmg@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
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