With its red color, the poinsettia is often displayed in flower shops during the Christmas season. Nicknamed the Christmas star, this multi-bracted plant requires proper maintenance to adorn itself with magnificent colors. However, you don’t need to have a green thumb to take care of it. Just follow a few simple steps. We give you some practical advice in this article.
How to get a poinsettia with red bracts before winter?
To change the color of the star plant of the Holidays , it is necessary to have some simple reflections whether in terms of watering, exposure or provision of essential nutrients. This way it can bloom before winter and remain red and beautiful for a long time.
- Storing poinsettias in the dark
It is possible to color the leaves of poinsettias and prolong the duration of flowering by controlling their exposure to the sun. Know that the poinsettia blooms from mid-November to February. However, you should avoid the sun between September and October. Therefore, the first thing you should do is install it inside a dark room away from daylight for 12 to 14 hours at a time. Then leave it in a bright place for the rest of the day. This change will stimulate the flower, which will better preserve its bracts. This operation should last approximately 8 weeks. However, be careful to never expose it to direct sunlight so as not to dry it out.
- Fertilize poinsettia with banana peels
Most plants need additional nutrients to maintain their appearance and flowering. This is the case of poinsettias, which need a supply of potassium and magnesium to strengthen their stems. Therefore, there is a way to stimulate it without resorting to chemicals. Just save two or three banana peels, cut them into small pieces and soak them in a pot of water to use later as fertilizer. Heat until it boils, then strain the solution and store it until it is time to fertilize the plant. This process should be done before putting the poinsettia in the dark.
- Choose a suitable location for the poinsettia
Poinsettias should be stored at the correct temperature. For its leaves to develop in the best conditions, it is advisable to keep them away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators or stoves. However, they should be placed at a room temperature of around 20°C. Likewise, low temperatures should be avoided. In fact, their foliage can be damaged if they are exposed to cold air currents or sudden changes in temperature. During the first three months of the year, avoid placing them near windows so that they are not affected by frost.
- Mastering Poinsettia Watering
To get red or white leaves and bracts for Christmas, you need to pay attention to humidity. The soil must certainly be well-drained with a regular supply of water so that the plant can flourish. However, it is not necessary to water abundantly to prevent water from stagnating and damaging the roots of the plant. Feel free to place clay balls in the bottom of the pot and empty the saucer as needed to evacuate excess moisture. If the air is too dry, occasionally mist the foliage with water.
To make the poinsettias bloom again, these simple reflections can be of great help. Feel free to repot the plant in early spring by placing it in new soil to prolong its life.