Some tips on poinsettia care after the vacation season

I want to buy some poinsettias for my dwelling this winter and want some recommendation on deciding on good vegetation and caring for them.

— Clarisa Ramirez, Chicago

Poinsettias are conventional Christmas vegetation that may final all through the Christmas season and past so long as you buy wholesome vegetation and look after them correctly. Many companies have them on the market now so they need to be simple to search out. The ornamental a part of a poinsettia is just not its flowers however the cluster of coloured bracts (modified leaves) that are available pink, pink, white, yellow or multi-colored.

Select vegetation with darkish inexperienced foliage all the way in which right down to the highest of the pot, and keep away from vegetation which have fallen or yellowed leaves. Ideally, you shouldn’t be in a position to see the highest of the pot. Vegetation with pale inexperienced leaves could not have been fertilized sufficient. Poinsettias which were displayed or grown too shut collectively can find yourself with some yellowed or broken leaves. Keep away from shopping for vegetation which might be wilted, as this stress can shorten the show time of the plant. If the vegetation are wilted and the rising medium is moist, there could also be an issue with root rot. Search for bugs below the leaves. Test the maturity of the poinsettia by trying on the flowers which might be situated above the coloured bracts. If the flowers are inexperienced or red-tipped and recent trying, the vegetation will maintain colour longer than if yellow pollen is overlaying the flowers.

It is rather essential to sleeve your new poinsettia earlier than you are taking it dwelling if temperatures outdoors are beneath 60 levels Fahrenheit. Publicity to low outside temperatures for even a couple of minutes can chill and even freeze the vegetation, inflicting the leaves to droop and fall off. The sleeve may even shield the plant from breaking whereas it’s being transported. Take the vegetation straight dwelling after buying and keep away from leaving them in a chilly automotive as you run extra errands. When you get the vegetation dwelling, promptly take away the protecting overlaying that may additionally harm the vegetation if left on too lengthy.

Poinsettias like plenty of shiny, oblique daylight. They’re delicate to excessive temperatures, so it’s best to maintain them away from chilly drafts and warmth vents. The foliage mustn’t contact chilly home windows. Your poinsettia is not going to do effectively if positioned close to a busy entrance the place doorways are always opening and shutting. Daytime temperatures of 65 levels work effectively for prolonging the show of the coloured bracts, although this isn’t sensible in most houses. Water the vegetation completely when soil is dry to the contact. If the pot is wrapped in foil or sits in an ornamental container with out a drainage gap, take away it earlier than watering. Guarantee that your poinsettia by no means stands in water. There isn’t a must fertilize them throughout the vacation season.

For extra plant recommendation, contact the Plant Info Service on the Chicago Botanic Backyard at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture on the Chicago Botanic Backyard.