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.
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![\"Good](\"https:\/\/www.santeplusmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poinsettia-fleurs.jpg\" "\\"How")
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Christmas Eve \u2013 Source: spm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are 3 tips for successful Christmas Eve shopping?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Check the bracts and flowers of the poinsettia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Check the bracts and flowers of the poinsettia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When buying a poinsettia, choose one\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with very dense bracts.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0As 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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the ripening of the flowers has ended and, therefore, their cycle as well.<\/strong> To check if the poinsettia’s foliage is complete, simply tap the sides of the pot to shake the plant.\u00a0\u00a0If the leaves stay in place<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0, it means the plant is in good condition. The Christmas star certainly blooms in winter, however, it is a rather unhardy plant\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0that does not withstand frost and drafts.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Make sure to wrap the poinsettia in paper to protect it from the cold during transport. Indeed,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0frost can cause your plant to lose its leaves.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Also be careful when packing so as not to damage the foliage or bracts of your plant. To keep your poinsettia in good condition until Christmas and to last long after the holidays,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you need to know its growing conditions. As mentioned above, the poinsettia is afraid of cold and frost. Keep your plant at a temperature between 18\u00b0C \u200b\u200band 20\u00b0C. The Christmas star also likes light, but\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0avoid exposure to direct sunlight.<\/strong> 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"yoast_head":"\n
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,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0which we tend to mistake for petals.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Note that poinsettias come in different colors, so the bracts can be salmon pink, yellow, orange, or white.
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2013 Be careful when transporting the poinsettia
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2013 Take care of the poinsettia once you get home
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to care for a poinsettia?
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2013\u00a0\u00a0Exposure and temperature<\/strong>
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A bouquet of poinsettias \u2013 Source: spm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0Irrigation and humidity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water your plant with water at room temperature, without lime.\u00a0\u00a0Cold water can cause thermal shock\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0in 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, keep your plant away from heat sources such as radiators. The latter dries out the air, but poinsettia appreciates humidity.\u00a0\u00a0Dry air can cause its leaves to turn yellow and fall off.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0Pruning and transplanting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
After flowering, the poinsettia enters vegetative rest at the end of March\u00a0\u00a0. This phase results in the fall of its leaves.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0During 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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0prepare for future flowering\u00a0\u00a0. When you prune your plant, you can propagate it by cuttings or by dividing clumps.\u00a0\u00a0Propagation by seed is more delicate.<\/strong>
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Poinsettia Care \u2013 Source: spm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After pruning, repot your poinsettia into a larger pot with new potting soil. Place clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to promote root drainage<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0, 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,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0preferably choosing humus.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Repotting allows your plant to start new growth and\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0bloom again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
These tips will help you choose a good poinsettia and take care of it so that its colorful bracts\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0illuminate your interior during Christmas\u00a0\u00a0, and even after.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"