How to Re-Flower Poinsettia
Poinsettias are a staple of the holiday season in the United States with brilliantly colored flowers not only in red, but in a wide variety of other colors. Most people buy new poinsettias to decorate their homes every year, but the plant can live all year and be made to bloom again in time for the next holiday season. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Water your poinsettia when the soil is dry to the touch and make sure the water can drain thoroughly so the roots don't get soggy. Remove the plastic pot cover that came with the plant.
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2
Cut back the plant in May. It will not look attractive at first, but the new branches that come in are the ones that will bloom in December.
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Keep the plant in a sunny, warm place. Poinsettias need about 13 hours of bright light every day. Remember that poinsettias are native to Central America and can't handle cold weather. Keep your plant indoors until the weather warms up.
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Fertilize the plant regularly during the year.
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Begin covering your poinsettia with a dark plastic garbage bag every night from September 25 to early or mid-December. This is very important in getting your plant to bloom in time for the holidays.
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Continue to water and fertilize regularly and to give the plant plenty of light during the day.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't move your plant from indoor light to full sun right away. Start by placing it in a shady spot for a week or two.
Pinch off the tops of the stems as they grow to make the plant short and bushy. This will make a more attractive display when you bring it indoors for the holidays.
When covering your plants, be careful not to let any light reach the leaves. Poinsettias bloom when the nights are long and because the plants are indoors under artificial light, it's never dark long enough to force the plant to bloom without help. Even a little light during the night will be enough to keep the plant from blooming.
