Every year, about 70 million poinsettias are sold in the United States alone during the Christmas season. However, Most poinsettias are discarded after the holidays. In fact, poinsettia is a perennial plant that can grow for a long time under suitable conditions,And can flower many times.
If you are keen on the challenge of growing unusual plants and want to keep Poinsettia for a long time, the following professional advice will help you. We will introduce how to successfully grow poinsettia indoors and outdoors, as well as effective ways to extend its life.
Can poinsettias grow year after year?
The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America and is a perennial plant. In warm climates (USDA planting areas 9 through 11), they can be grown outdoors year-round. In colder regions, poinsettia can be grown as an annual plant or as an indoor potted plant.
With proper care and maintenance,Poinsettias can live for more than 20 years and are able to bloom again before the festival.
The correct maintenance method of perennial Poinsettia
"To keep the poinsettias healthy during the holiday season, all decorative foil and baskets or pots without drainage holes should be removed," explains Abby MacFarland, owner of the House by the Side of the Road greenhouse in New Hampshire."These plants are very afraid of water in their roots. Keeping warm is also important. Cold and damp are the main causes of plant death during the festival."
MacFarland also notes that watering problems and poor drainage are not the only factors affecting the health of poinsettias. She suggested putting the plants in bright light,The temperature is maintained between 65 and 70 ° F, and watering is performed only when the soil surface is dry.
Whether you plan to grow poinsettias outdoors or indoors, it's important to ensure that you provide the right growing conditions. From lighting to fertilizing, here are some key guidelines:
Temperature: The ideal growth temperature for indoor poinsettia is 65 to 70 °F. Outdoor plants wilt at temperatures below 50 °F.The indoor poinsettia can be moved outdoors in the summer, but should be moved back indoors before the fall.
Watering: poinsettias wilt easily in dry soil, but too much moisture can cause root rot. Therefore, watering is carried out only when the surface of the soil feels dry.
Fertilization: The outdoor Poinsettia only needs to be applied once in the spring.In contrast, houseplants should apply diluted liquid organic fertilizer monthly from late spring to early autumn.
Pot change and transplant: Remove indoor poinsettia from poorly drained pots as soon as possible, and outdoor plants should be transplanted when the temperature is higher than 50 °F. Choose a nutrient-rich pot mix,And improve the garden soil before planting.
Four tips to promote healthy growth of poinsettia
The poinsettia is famous for its colorful and varied shapes of bracts. These plants bloom in the fall when the sun hours are shortened, and can be induced to bloom again by reducing the light and lowering the temperature. Here are some extra tips to help poinsettias stay healthy year-round:
Pruning in time: When the bracts of the poinsettia fade,Trim the plant by cutting off the bare stem at the leaf node. Throughout the growing season, the stems of the plants were pinched back to the leaf nodes for a more compact and bushy appearance.
Prevent leaf wilting: Indoor Poinsettia can sometimes cause leaf wilting due to low humidity. This can be solved by placing a humidifier or pebble tray under the plants.
Pest control: Whether you are growing Poinsettia outdoors or indoors, you should pay attention to common pests, such as mealybugs and aphids. When pests are found, they should be treated with an organic insecticidal soap spray.
Appropriate spacing: Although indoor poinsettia is usually more compact,But outdoor plants can grow up to 10 feet tall. To increase air circulation and prevent diseases such as bacterial leaf spot disease, make sure that outdoor plants have enough space to stretch, and space multiple plants at least 3 feet apart.
Reproduction method of poinsettia
If you wish to expand your collection of poinsettias,Or if you want to share this beauty with friends and family, it is important to know how to reproduce correctly. Euphortia can be easily expanded by cutting method:
1.Select healthy branches: Select annual branches with no signs of diseases and insect pests and strong growth as cuttings.
2.Prepare tools and Media: Using clean sharp scissors, cut diagonally about 1 inch below the leaf node, keeping the top two to three leaves. Prepare well-drained, breathable nursery soil or perlite as a cutting substrate.
3.Treat the wound and insert the soil: Dip the bottom of the cut branches with a small amount of rooting powder to promote root development,It is then gently inserted into the pre-moistened culture medium to a depth of about 1/3 the length of the shoot.
4. Create a suitable environment: Place the cuttings basin in a warm and soft light place, such as near a window but not exposed to direct sunlight. Keep the medium always slightly moist until new roots form.
5.Wait patiently for rooting: Under normal circumstances, it takes about 4-6 weeks to observe obvious root growth. During this period, do not move the plant frequently, so as not to affect its stable rooting.
Other popular holiday plants
In addition to the classic poinsettia, there are several other winter flowering plants that make great holiday gift ideas.
● Christmas cactus: The Christmas cactus is famous for its bright pink flowers and often blooms around Christmas. This long-lived succulent is a popular gift that will bring colorful joy to your family for years to come.
● Paper White Narcissus: This elegant plant is famous for its pure white flowers and pleasant fragrance,Ideal for winter interior decoration. Paper White daffodils usually bloom from December to February, bringing a touch of freshness and vitality to the cold season. When planting, make sure that the soil remains slightly moist and place it in a bright but indirect light location, avoiding direct sunlight. In terms of temperature, it is most suitable to maintain between 60 and 65 °F.
● Christmas Rose: Despite the word "Christmas" in the name, this plant is not actually a real rose. The Christmas rose is a hardy perennial capable of blooming in the snow with beautiful white or pink flowers. They prefer semi-shady and humid environments and are suitable for planting in the shade of trees or on the edge of gardens.In order to ensure its healthy growth, it is recommended to use soil rich in organic matter and regularly apply balanced fertilizers.
● Anthurium Andraeanum (Praeflower): Anthurium Andraeanum is a tropical plant known for its distinctive red bracts and elongated yellow stamens. It is not only suitable as a holiday gift, but also as an indoor ornamental plant maintenance throughout the year.Anthurium Andraeanum requires a warm and high humidity environment, and the ideal growth temperature range is 65 to 75 ° F. Keeping the soil evenly moist and providing sufficient scattered light is the key to its healthy growth. At the same time, pay attention to avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight, so as not to burn the leaves.
By following the above steps, you will be able to successfully grow new seedlings,Let the joy of this holiday continue. Remember, whether it is a poinsettia or any other kind of plant, careful care is always the basis for satisfactory results.