Poinsettias

Many of us can relate to this scenario: It's close to Christmas and you've run out of gift ideas for Mom, Grandma or a favorite aunt. It would be embarrassing to ask them for ideas at this late date...what's a person to do?

Like millions of other last-minute shoppers, you buy a poinsettia, or course! What's not to like? You can rest assured that this gorgeous seasonal favorite will be received with joy and earn you a hug.

There was a time when the poinsettia was strictly seasonal, often hitting the trash pile along with the Christmas tree. But today's savvy home gardeners know that this eye-pleasing plant will grow and bloom for years with proper care.

Native to Mexico, the poinsettia was introduced in the United States by John Roberts Poinsett (that's how the plant got its common name).

Mr. Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, fell in love with the brilliant red flowers he found blooming there in December. So he had some of the plants sent to his greenhouse in Greenville, North Carolina in the 1820's, and they did very well in that environment.

The Aztecs in Mexico had been cultivating the plant for years. Because of its blazing color, they considered it a symbol of purity.

The true beauty of the poinsettia is not the flower as much as the bracts, those large leaves at the base of the tiny flower, which turn from green to vibrant colors. Once available only in red, poinsettias now come in white, pink and yellow. Some are even multicolored.

Keeps Coming Back

Not only that, but the longevity of these mostly greenhouse-grown palnts has improved remarkably. That means you can enjoy them all year-round and year after year.

Eunice Domina of Oak Lawn, Illinois, for example, has poinsettias that are over 5 years old. "I put them outside in the spring and bring them back in during October," she informs. "Each year there are more blooms than the year before. My best one had over 50 blooms last season!"

In the milder climate of Arcadia, Florida, Ann Barney has poinsettia shrubs growing outdoors that reach up to the middle of her kitchen window. (Poinsettias can grow up to about 10 feet).

Needs Loving Care

If you receive a poinsettia for Christmas this year, try these tips from the Poinsettia Growers Association for prolonging the pleasure of the plant.

First remember that it thrives in a bright daylight, at least 6 hours a day. Placement near a sunny window is ideal, but not in direct sunlight, which will fade the bright red leaves. Avoid drafts and keep temperature between 65° and 70°.

Poinsettias need moist soil, so water thoroughly when the soil feels dry to a light touch. Allow the water to seep through the holes in the bottom of the pot, then empty out any excess water in the pan to avoid root rot.

It's not necessary to fertilize during this first holiday season, but it won't hurt, either. A balanced, all-purpose household plant fertilizer will help maintain the green foliage color longer and promote new growth later.

After the flower and colorful bracts wither, you can still enjoy the plant's attractive green foliage until the next blooming period.

In early spring, cut the plant back to about 8 inches, rounding its shape. Keep the pot near a sunny window and by the end of May, you should see some healthy new growth.

Around June 1, transplant the poinsettia into a larger pot, 2 to 4 inches bigger than the original. Use a soil mix that includes a considerable amount of organic matter like peat moss, leaf mold or redwood sawdust.

Another option is to transplant it outdoors once the temperature remains above 50°.

Enough Fresh Air

By October 1, it's time to bring outdoor plants back inside. To foster their upoming blooming period, poinsettias must be kept in complete darkness for 14 continuous hours each night. Either move them to a dark room or put a box over them. They'll also need 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight and temperatures between 60° and 70°.

Continue this routine for 8 to 10 weeks and you should enjoy the re-blooming in November or December. Then the only problem may be that someone will have to think of an alternate Christmas gift for you!