My husband and I are very lucky when it comes to winning door prizes at various banquets and holiday parties we attend, and sure enough, he won the poinsettia that was the beautiful centerpiece on our table at the Winnebago County Master Gardener Christmas party this year. Although I do keep a few token houseplants, I am primarily an outdoor gardener, so I had to do some research to find out how to care for my new plant.
Not too long ago, I learned on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” that the poinsettia was introduced to the United States by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He found the plants growing on a hillside near Taxco, Mexico and sent some of them back to his home in Greenwood, South Carolina. Regis didn’t provide any care instructions, however.
My research told me that poinsettias like bright, indirect sunlight in rooms that are about 68–70 degrees F. If possible, place the plant in a cooler room at night which will extend the bloom time – 55–60 degrees is ideal. In other words, if I am comfortable, my poinsettia will be happy too. Poinsettias do not tolerate cold drafts or high heat, so keep them away from cold windows, radiators, furnace registers, fireplaces and heat generating appliances.
Poinsettias should be watered when the soil becomes dry to the touch. If you just got your poinsettia for Christmas, the pot is probably still wrapped in foil. Poke some holes in the foil and put the pot on a saucer before you water it. Water enough to soak to the bottom of the pot and pour off the water that runs through to the saucer. If the poinsettia sits in water it may suffer root rot. In spring, you can replant into a larger pot and take the plant outdoors.
Wait to fertilize your plant until the bloom season is over and then use a soluble houseplant fertilizer once a month following manufacturer’s directions.
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