Nothing Says Christmas Like a Poinsettia

By Jos Van Hage

Row upon row of poinsettias at Art Knapp's West Store....

There is no flowering plant more popular than the poinsettia, and this time of year they can be found in many homes and businesses.

They originate in Mexico where they grow wild and up to ten feet tall but in colder temperatures they are strictly a houseplant.

There are over a  hundred different varieties with bracts that come in color shades of red, pink, white, burgundy, speckled, and foliage of different shades of green, as well as variegated. Growers are constantly working on propagating plants with stronger, sturdier stems, and larger bracts so there is always something new and improved.

A poinsettia can look beautiful in the home for many weeks if it is cared for properly.

The first thing to do is choose a healthy plant which has  leaves that go down the length of the stem to the soil level. Foliage should be green, and not yellow, wilted or drooping. The plant should have a nice uniform shape and should not be stored in a sleeve as the sleeve  crowds the foliage of the plant and causes damage to the plant which could  lead to an early end for the poinsettia. When looking for a long lasting plant you want to pick one where the cyathias (cluster of yellow buds  found in the center of the color bract) are tight. The cyathia is the actual poinsettia flower and the colored bracts that surround the cyathia  are not flower petals but are colored leaves that are there to attract insects.

When taking your plant home you want to keep it away from cold temperatures. It should be placed into a paper sleeve before bringing it to your car and then brought home. Purchasing a poinsettia or any other plant during the winter should be the last thing you do on your shopping trip so that you can bring it straight home. If a poinsettia becomes chilled it could begin to drop its leaves.

 When you get your plant home take it out of the sleeve immediately and put it somewhere where it will gets lots of natural light. Keep it away from drafts that can come from heating vents, appliances, doorways etc.  Temperature should be 17-22 Celsius, and as poinsettias do not like cold  temperatures keep them out of the window ledge when outside temperatures  are cold. Always keep the plant evenly moist, not soggy and never allow it to dry out. Poinsettias are not poisonous but can cause discomfort if  eaten by children or animals so should be kept away from them.

After the bracts have finished the plant can be either thrown into the  compost bin or be kept for the next winter to bloom again.

If you are keeping the plant, then you need to cut it back half way after it has  finished blooming and cut down on the water as well as place it in a cooler area of the home. In May/June after risk of frost has passed plant the poinsettia outside in an east or west location and leave it there until September or before the first frost.

Cut the plant back which will make it come back bushier.

In October, the plant needs to be placed in 14  hours of uninterrupted darkness every night and 10 hours of light until the bracts begin to show color. A closet or unused bedroom works well for this. When the bracts show color treat the plant is you did before when you first brought it home from the garden center.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns two Art Knapp Garden Centres in the Prince George area:

• Highway 97 North at Aberdeen Road
• Highway 16 West across from the Bon Voyage Plaza 

You can also visit  Art Knapp’s on line, just click here
 

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