How to Care For Poinsettias (And Make Them Bloom Next Year)
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Date: 2022-07-18
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Comments and reviews: 15
Marige
Well, I'm here to say that, yes, if you can manage to get a poinsettia through the first winter -- even if it only has a few leaves left -- you can grow it in the summer. I live in zone 5 (NJ) and am now the proud owner of a massive poinsettia. I think it's about 4 or 5 years old. It stands 5-ft tall, at least, in its pot. This last summer it grew tremendously. (If I could post pictures, I would)
Also, while they may not like direct sunlight in the summer, they love it in the winter, at least in my zone. (Maybe because the light is weaker) But I've found a good way to get them through the first winter is to create a little terrarium around them by watering them well, then tent them in a large clear plastic bag (be sure the bag is sealed) and placing them in direct sunlight. They'll look better in February than they did in December.
However, I am now having a lot of trouble (it's early December, because no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to stop it from losing leaves. I brought it in (barely fit through the door) in September when it was a huge, bushy tree. Since then all it's done is lose leaves.
To combat this, I have:
1) Spritzed 6-8 times a day (which worked last winter)
2) Added a humidifier (I do have a very dry apartment)
3) Added a vaporizer (which is concerning because everything is so wet, I worry I'm damaging the walls of my apartment)
4) And even kept my bathtub filled with water, which does seem to add some ambient humidity to the air.
All this to increase the humidity. At this point, I am spritzing it twice a day, then immediately running the vaporizer directly under it with Vaporub for about 5 minutes on each side, hoping it will help seal in the moisture on the leaves (similar to putting cream on your hands to avoid dry skin) And, of course, I water it thoroughly twice a week. The plant seems somewhat better with the Vaporub, believe it or not, but I still see the earmarks of early leaf dryness (the edges turn whiteish. But at this point, it's lost more than 50% of its foliage and I'm not sure it will make it to the spring. :\ I'm even thinking of asking a local nursery if they will take it a keep it in their greenhouse over the winter.
The only thing I haven't tried is fertilizing in the winter. I'll start that next time I water.
Any other suggestions?
Oh. one thing I'd also like to add is, when you clip it back, you can simply repot them and they will grow into new poinsettias.
BTW, covering a poinsettia with a black garbage bag is a quick way to force bracting.
reply
Well, I'm here to say that, yes, if you can manage to get a poinsettia through the first winter -- even if it only has a few leaves left -- you can grow it in the summer. I live in zone 5 (NJ) and am now the proud owner of a massive poinsettia. I think it's about 4 or 5 years old. It stands 5-ft tall, at least, in its pot. This last summer it grew tremendously. (If I could post pictures, I would)
Also, while they may not like direct sunlight in the summer, they love it in the winter, at least in my zone. (Maybe because the light is weaker) But I've found a good way to get them through the first winter is to create a little terrarium around them by watering them well, then tent them in a large clear plastic bag (be sure the bag is sealed) and placing them in direct sunlight. They'll look better in February than they did in December.
However, I am now having a lot of trouble (it's early December, because no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to stop it from losing leaves. I brought it in (barely fit through the door) in September when it was a huge, bushy tree. Since then all it's done is lose leaves.
To combat this, I have:
1) Spritzed 6-8 times a day (which worked last winter)
2) Added a humidifier (I do have a very dry apartment)
3) Added a vaporizer (which is concerning because everything is so wet, I worry I'm damaging the walls of my apartment)
4) And even kept my bathtub filled with water, which does seem to add some ambient humidity to the air.
All this to increase the humidity. At this point, I am spritzing it twice a day, then immediately running the vaporizer directly under it with Vaporub for about 5 minutes on each side, hoping it will help seal in the moisture on the leaves (similar to putting cream on your hands to avoid dry skin) And, of course, I water it thoroughly twice a week. The plant seems somewhat better with the Vaporub, believe it or not, but I still see the earmarks of early leaf dryness (the edges turn whiteish. But at this point, it's lost more than 50% of its foliage and I'm not sure it will make it to the spring. :\ I'm even thinking of asking a local nursery if they will take it a keep it in their greenhouse over the winter.
The only thing I haven't tried is fertilizing in the winter. I'll start that next time I water.
Any other suggestions?
Oh. one thing I'd also like to add is, when you clip it back, you can simply repot them and they will grow into new poinsettias.
BTW, covering a poinsettia with a black garbage bag is a quick way to force bracting.
reply
Rachel
Hello Kevin!
I am really enjoying all your videos recently as I live locally in the 10a zone and have just begun really gardening. I watched this video and am confused because I purchased a beautiful Costco 4 pack of these and although 3 still look amazing one died back almost immediately. I have always thought they were cold weather plants and use them in our outdoor decore during the Christmas season and they typically do well. Im understanding from your videos that maybe Ive just gotten lucky in the past. Id like to keep the ones Ive purchased this year and will prob watch this a hundred times lol.
I am very intrigued with your comment about what to do with your real tree after Christmas to use it in your garden. I intend to do some crafting with ours but Id like to know what your ideas are as well! I guess using dropped needles as mulch or something along those lines. help! My poor tree is dead and it needs to go soon!
reply
Hello Kevin!
I am really enjoying all your videos recently as I live locally in the 10a zone and have just begun really gardening. I watched this video and am confused because I purchased a beautiful Costco 4 pack of these and although 3 still look amazing one died back almost immediately. I have always thought they were cold weather plants and use them in our outdoor decore during the Christmas season and they typically do well. Im understanding from your videos that maybe Ive just gotten lucky in the past. Id like to keep the ones Ive purchased this year and will prob watch this a hundred times lol.
I am very intrigued with your comment about what to do with your real tree after Christmas to use it in your garden. I intend to do some crafting with ours but Id like to know what your ideas are as well! I guess using dropped needles as mulch or something along those lines. help! My poor tree is dead and it needs to go soon!
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epic_gardening
way too many care tips, in my opinion. I got mine from a nursery and treated it as any other plant in my house. In the spring I gave it bigger pot and left on the porch till first frost - it tripled in size and green tips turned red again. The only thing I did - was moving it into dark bathroom overnight mid-October till late November once I noticed it started turning red on the tips to give it longer hours of darkness and it worked perfectly.
reply
way too many care tips, in my opinion. I got mine from a nursery and treated it as any other plant in my house. In the spring I gave it bigger pot and left on the porch till first frost - it tripled in size and green tips turned red again. The only thing I did - was moving it into dark bathroom overnight mid-October till late November once I noticed it started turning red on the tips to give it longer hours of darkness and it worked perfectly.
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diana
I live on the central ciast- in 1983, I salvaged 6 poinsettias from the dumoster of my local Thrifty's, the gardner ( from Mexico) at my apartment whacked them down to two feet tall, they are 10 feet tall now & they are still being cut back annually. Until that first fall I had no idea they were like bananas, they grow huge every year! I love to visit them!
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I live on the central ciast- in 1983, I salvaged 6 poinsettias from the dumoster of my local Thrifty's, the gardner ( from Mexico) at my apartment whacked them down to two feet tall, they are 10 feet tall now & they are still being cut back annually. Until that first fall I had no idea they were like bananas, they grow huge every year! I love to visit them!
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will
Do you have any tips for Coffea arabica plants? I have a very young one that I transplanted into a new pot as soon as I got it, and it's the only one that survived from all the ones I transplanted. I'm scared that something could go wrong with it. All I got from the internet is that it doesn't like direct sunlight, wind, cold temperatures and dry soil.
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Do you have any tips for Coffea arabica plants? I have a very young one that I transplanted into a new pot as soon as I got it, and it's the only one that survived from all the ones I transplanted. I'm scared that something could go wrong with it. All I got from the internet is that it doesn't like direct sunlight, wind, cold temperatures and dry soil.
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Elise
Does anyone know if we need to cut damaged leaves at all? I just saved one from a supermarket before they throw it away as they are out of date after Christmas (ridiculous) and so the one I got, has a couple damaged leaves with holes or bit broken apart, and was wondering if it was okay to leave them or needed a little cut? Many thanks!
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Does anyone know if we need to cut damaged leaves at all? I just saved one from a supermarket before they throw it away as they are out of date after Christmas (ridiculous) and so the one I got, has a couple damaged leaves with holes or bit broken apart, and was wondering if it was okay to leave them or needed a little cut? Many thanks!
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Sally
I bought two of these from the nursery. One pot is placed indoor and the other outdoor. The green leaves start falling after two weeks, not sure if it can last through till Christmas: (
I lived in a tropical country and temperature ranging between 2832 degree. May I know what went wrong and how do I save the plant?
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I bought two of these from the nursery. One pot is placed indoor and the other outdoor. The green leaves start falling after two weeks, not sure if it can last through till Christmas: (
I lived in a tropical country and temperature ranging between 2832 degree. May I know what went wrong and how do I save the plant?
reply
Yoli
After Christmas last year there was one dumped by the side of the road still in those horrible wrappers they sell them in which is the death of most of them and I took it home. It was basically a dried out twig. I planted it in a pot with good soil and this Christmas as soon as the weather dipped a little it rebloomed
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After Christmas last year there was one dumped by the side of the road still in those horrible wrappers they sell them in which is the death of most of them and I took it home. It was basically a dried out twig. I planted it in a pot with good soil and this Christmas as soon as the weather dipped a little it rebloomed
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Samantha
Kept mine for years! I would bring it out in summer. For flowering purposes put it in my closet pull it out put it back. A real PIA I eventually let her go. Didnt have the space she was about two feet at that point very beautiful and put a lot of effort into her.
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Kept mine for years! I would bring it out in summer. For flowering purposes put it in my closet pull it out put it back. A real PIA I eventually let her go. Didnt have the space she was about two feet at that point very beautiful and put a lot of effort into her.
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georl1
I use to be my mother a Pointsettia every year before Christmas. I'd place it on a planter tray on wheels in front of the French doors and the plant would last until May and June. Then I'd throw it away and buy another one for the following Christmas.
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I use to be my mother a Pointsettia every year before Christmas. I'd place it on a planter tray on wheels in front of the French doors and the plant would last until May and June. Then I'd throw it away and buy another one for the following Christmas.
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Pat
Thank u. A friend bought me this plant around three years ago (her last Christmas. I treasure it but it's beautiful red colour would never appear in time for Christmas. now I know why lol. next Christmas. Merry Christmas from the UK
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Thank u. A friend bought me this plant around three years ago (her last Christmas. I treasure it but it's beautiful red colour would never appear in time for Christmas. now I know why lol. next Christmas. Merry Christmas from the UK
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Joanna
I live in England & have kept my poinsettia thriving since last year. A question on darkness, you say 15 hours but then what? Should it be in light but make sure it has 15 hours of darkness or constant darkness until it goes red?
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I live in England & have kept my poinsettia thriving since last year. A question on darkness, you say 15 hours but then what? Should it be in light but make sure it has 15 hours of darkness or constant darkness until it goes red?
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Gamethyst
When I visited Mexico a couple years ago, my grandma had a tree of this. I never knew they were poinsettias bc I never looked up. Lol they were soo tall and I didn't expect them to grow in such a hot area. Little did I know.
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When I visited Mexico a couple years ago, my grandma had a tree of this. I never knew they were poinsettias bc I never looked up. Lol they were soo tall and I didn't expect them to grow in such a hot area. Little did I know.
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Sam
Mine start dying as soon as I bring them in. Within a week of being inside, most leaves will be gone. So I started just leaving them out. And they stop dying and slowly grow new leaves. Am I doing something wrong? Right?
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Mine start dying as soon as I bring them in. Within a week of being inside, most leaves will be gone. So I started just leaving them out. And they stop dying and slowly grow new leaves. Am I doing something wrong? Right?
reply
David
We planted about 6 from 2019 outside. They lasted all year and grew to 3ft. They never turned red this year. Now I know why. I guess their would be no way to force darkness on a plant that is planted outside.
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We planted about 6 from 2019 outside. They lasted all year and grew to 3ft. They never turned red this year. Now I know why. I guess their would be no way to force darkness on a plant that is planted outside.
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