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Extend the “show time” of your poinsettia with proper watering.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
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This frosty poinsettia cultivar, Frozen, has tropical roots.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
Poinsettia. ’Tis the flower of Christmas. Borne of the winter for the Yuletide season.
Profound thoughts aside, let me explain this seasonally honored but much misunderstood beauty.
First, those iconic red, pink, yellow or white “flowers” are actually bracts—leaf-like structures that surround the real blooms. The tiny red and/or yellow berry-looking pretties in the center of the bracts are, believe it or not, the actual flowers.
As far as the poinsettia being “borne of the winter” goes, well, our neighbors in Mexico and Central America are still giggling about that one, because it is native to their tropical lands. It was imported to the States in the early 1800s by Charleston native Joel Roberts Poinsett, and, despite such hot-weather origins, was readily accepted as a wintry “Christmas flower” because of its seasonal red and green colors.
The confusion about flowers and bracts is no big deal, but obscuring poinsettia’s origin can cause problems for plant owners. So, to keep your tropical pretty healthy through the Christmas season and even beyond, let’s do a crash course in Poinsettia 101.
First, poinsettias won’t survive outdoors in our winter weather, but inside, as long as temperatures are constantly hanging around 65 to 70 degrees, they will be fine. If you place your poinsettias close to a window as a focal point for the fa-la-la-la season, don’t let the leaves—or bracts—touch the glass panes because c-c-cold nights could bite the tender foliage.
Originating from the steamy tropics means poinsettias do like humidity. Since the air in houses is typically dry during the winter, a good way to moisten their environment is to occasionally mist the leaves. Heating vents are, of course, a source of dry air, so try to locate your poinsettia away from these warm yet desiccating breezes.
Sudden wintry drafts can also shock poinsettias to the point that they could start dropping leaves. In this case, the usual suspects are doors leading outside into the winter chill, so avoid placing your plants close to such entrances.
Finally, a tropical jungle is typically bathed in strong sunshine diffused by a high foliage canopy, so make your poinsettia feel at home in either a room well lit by artificial illumination or a spot exposed to bright, yet indirect sunlight.
DECEMBER IN THE GARDEN
• Cleaning your containers now makes for happier plants next spring, so soak any empty pots leftover from this year’s garden-fest in a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water for about an hour and then wipe dry before storing them for use in the new growing season.
• Remember your feathered friends this winter by regularly cleaning and refilling the birdbath and feeder. Also, if temperatures really take a deep dive, be sure to remove any ice from the birdbath and replace it with fresh water.
TIP OF THE MONTH
Proper soil moisture is also critical for a healthy poinsettia. First, the contained dirt should be well-drained, meaning, if your pretty plant comes in a foil or plastic wrap, either take it off or poke holes in the bottom. Place the pot in a shallow dish to catch any excess water and serve up a drink only when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
Since small pots anchoring large plants will dry out quicker, think about moving your poinsettia to a bigger container. Having a larger, sturdier base will also prevent the plant from becoming top-heavy and more prone to taking a dive onto the floor.
L.A. JACKSON is former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.