How to Keep Poinsettas Alive
Poinsettias are a beautiful plant for decorating your house during the holidays, and have been a symbol of the season in the United States for almost two centuries. These plants are fairly easy to keep alive, and making sure your poinsettia is healthy will ensure that it keeps your home cheerful and festive throughout the winter. After the season is over, you can keep your poinsettia growing throughout the year---it will re-bloom the following winter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select a good plant to start off with. Pick a poinsettia that is dense and has brightly colored leaves, without too much green around the edges of the color. The stems should be stiff, with no signs of wilting. The plant should appear proportional, vibrant and full from all angles. Avoid poinsettias that appear to be overwatered (check the soil) or injured during transport; such plants are likely to have irreversible damage.
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Make sure your plant gets enough (but not too much) sun. Ideally, poinsettias should be kept under indirect sunlight for about six hours a day. The temperature should be kept between 65 and 70 degrees; poinsettias are sensitive to the cold and cannot stand being placed outdoors. As a general rule of thumb, if you're feeling comfortable, your poinsettia is, too. Also avoid placing them near areas with drafts or excessive heat (for example, near the front door or the fireplace).
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Keep your plant moist, but do not go overboard with the watering. Poinsettias are susceptible to overwatering. Give your poinsettia some water if the soil feels dry to the touch. Let the soil dry out before watering it again. Do not keep the pot over a saucer of water. If you are keeping your plant in a particularly dry environment, spray the leaves with water mist to keep them moist.
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Do not fertilize your plant while it is in bloom. After the blooming season, you can give your poinsettia some all-purpose fertilizer every two to three weeks.
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Keep your poinsettia going year-round. Many people throw out their poinsettias after the holiday season, but the plants are not actually dead. In the early spring, you can trim your plant to about 8 inches in height, keep up the watering and fertilizing, and you should see new growth by late May. Transplant your poinsettia to a larger pot during the summer, and watch it bloom again the following autumn.
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