- By following a few simple tips, our plants can shine for months
Poinsettia appreciates proper care and can stay healthy for several months, brightening any part of the apartment. The experts at Stars for Europe (SfE) know how to make our poinsettias stay bright and withstand cold spells – with a few tips, our plants can stay looking great for a long time!
What should we pay attention to when purchasing?
Wild poinsettias come from Mexico, and in the tropical climate of the Central American country, the plant can grow into a shrub up to a meter high. However, its need for light and warmth also applies to the poinsettia that has already become a houseplant: darkness and cold are particularly harmful. Therefore, if we want to purchase a copy that can be a permanent decoration of the apartment, it is worth paying attention to some aspects when purchasing. The healthiest plants can usually be identified by their dense, undamaged leaves, yellow-green flowers that bud in the middle of their leaves, and whose soil is neither too dry nor too wet. It is also important not to buy a plant that has been sprayed with mica and glitter, as this is not good for the flower either.
Protection is important!
After purchase, it is advisable to wrap it carefully and take the poinsettia home as soon as possible, especially in cold weather. The more layers of paper you wrap your new plant with, the better it will be protected against drafts and cold, so it will have a greater chance of healthy growth and a long life. At sub-zero temperatures, wrapping the pot is also recommended due to the poinsettia’s sensitive roots.
Let’s get him used to the new environment carefully
In order for our new plant to withstand the transition from cold to warm weather, it is best not to move it immediately into a warm room. You can acclimate it in a cooler and brighter room, such as the kitchen or conservatory, and after a few hours we can move it to its final location.
Choose the right place
The ideal place is bright, warm and protected from drafts and large temperature fluctuations. For example, it is not a good idea to place a poinsettia next to the front door, but you can safely place it next to a well-insulated window, but it is important to move it to a protected place for ventilation. The tile tray on the windowsill protects the plant from the cold, but you should also pay attention to the fact that the poinsettia loves warmth, but not too much heat: for the ideal temperature, 15-22 Celsius. Therefore a place next to a radiator or stove is not ideal either, because the poinsettia will drop its leaves in extreme heat. It should also be noted that the warmer the weather, the more water the plant needs.
The art of irrigation
Poinsettias tolerate moderate drought better than excess moisture, so you only need to water when the top of the soil is already dry – but never let the inside of the root ball dry out! It is difficult to give a clear answer to the question of how often to water: in addition to temperature and humidity, the size of the pot is also an important factor. Young poinsettias in a 6 cm pot need more watering than plants in a 12-13 cm pot due to the smaller soil volume.
Poinsettias can be watered from above, from below, or by immersion, and room temperature water is recommended. If you are watering from the top, add a small amount every two to three days until the root ball is evenly moist but not completely wet. When watering from below, pour water into a pot or planting tray: the soil will absorb the amount of water the poinsettia needs. In this case, add water until the root ball is soaked and there is no liquid left in the tray. If flood irrigation is chosen, the semi-dry root ball should be completely submerged about once a week until the water stops bubbling. Then quickly lift the poinsettia out, let it drain, and return the plant to the pot. In the case of all three methods, it is important to pour out excess water from the tray or pot after no more than 15 minutes to avoid waterlogging and root damage.
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