The poinsettia or Christmas star is an iconic houseplant for the Christmas season. This evergreen perennial is native to Central America. It is characterized by its red, orange or pink bracts, arranged in a star shape. To decorate your interior during Christmas and enjoy a beautiful bloom, you must carefully choose your Christmas star. Check out these 3 tips to know when buying a poinsettia.
Like the Christmas cactus, the poinsettia is a decorative foliage plant that invites itself into homes during the holiday season. It is an easy-care plant that can be planted in pots or window boxes. These tips will help you make a successful poinsettia purchase.
Christmas Eve – Source: spm
What are 3 tips for successful Christmas Eve shopping?
– Check the bracts and flowers of the poinsettia
In botany, a bract is a colorful leaf that looks like a flower. Poinsettia flowers are very small and yellowish. They are surrounded by large red bracts, which we tend to mistake for petals. Note that poinsettias come in different colors, so the bracts can be salmon pink, yellow, orange, or white.
When buying a poinsettia, choose one with very dense bracts. As for small flowers, they should also be numerous. Another detail to take into account is the ripening of the flowers. If you notice that new clusters of inflorescences begin to develop, as well as the appearance of yellow or green buds, it means that the plant is still fresh. On the contrary, if you notice traces of pollen on the leaves, it means that the ripening of the flowers has ended and, therefore, their cycle as well.
To check if the poinsettia’s foliage is complete, simply tap the sides of the pot to shake the plant. If the leaves stay in place , it means the plant is in good condition.
– Be careful when transporting the poinsettia
The Christmas star certainly blooms in winter, however, it is a rather unhardy plant that does not withstand frost and drafts. Make sure to wrap the poinsettia in paper to protect it from the cold during transport. Indeed, frost can cause your plant to lose its leaves. Also be careful when packing so as not to damage the foliage or bracts of your plant.
– Take care of the poinsettia once you get home
To keep your poinsettia in good condition until Christmas and to last long after the holidays, you need to know its growing conditions.
How to care for a poinsettia?
– Exposure and temperature
As mentioned above, the poinsettia is afraid of cold and frost. Keep your plant at a temperature between 18°C and 20°C. The Christmas star also likes light, but avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
A bouquet of poinsettias – Source: spm
– Irrigation and humidity
Water your plant with water at room temperature, without lime. Cold water can cause thermal shock in the poinsettia and damage its root system. During the flowering period, i.e. between October and March, make sure to keep the soil moist. However, avoid excess water, which could rot the plant’s roots. Remove stagnant water from the saucer or pot after watering.
Also, keep your plant away from heat sources such as radiators. The latter dries out the air, but poinsettia appreciates humidity. Dry air can cause its leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
– Pruning and transplanting
After flowering, the poinsettia enters vegetative rest at the end of March . This phase results in the fall of its leaves. During this rest period, it is important to reduce the frequency of watering and prune the poinsettia. This will allow your plant to grow new shoots and prepare for future flowering . When you prune your plant, you can propagate it by cuttings or by dividing clumps. Propagation by seed is more delicate.
Poinsettia Care – Source: spm
After pruning, repot your poinsettia into a larger pot with new potting soil. Place clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot to promote root drainage , as excess water can discolor the bracts. Keep in mind that the poinsettia appreciates a well-drained, neutral soil. You can use potting soil for geraniums or houseplants, or you can also prepare your own soil. To do this, mix 1/3 garden soil, with 1/3 sand and 1/3 compost, preferably choosing humus. Repotting allows your plant to start new growth and bloom again.
These tips will help you choose a good poinsettia and take care of it so that its colorful bracts illuminate your interior during Christmas , and even after.