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A plant that instantly comes to mind when thinking about Christmas celebration and cheer is none other than the Poinsettia. With its star-shaped leaves and bright crimson goodness, the plant is Scientifically known as “Euphorbia pulcherrima”. Here is an article on how to grow and care for the Poinsettia plant from seed at home. Native to Mexico, Poinsettias are also called “Flowers of the Holy Night.” The plant grows in wet, moist, woody ravines and on rocky hillsides. The poinsettia plant is a shrub and it blooms a cluster of yellow flowers, which are enveloped by radiant leaves. The leaves change colour in response to shortening winter days. The leaves of a poinsettia are usually red, but can also range from cream, white, pink, and yellow. Also Read: How to Save a Dying Plant With These Techniques?

Soil Requirement For Growing Poinsettia

Read below about the soil requirement to Grow and care for poinsettia from seedling carefully:

1. The soil of a Poinsettia should neither be dripping wet nor completely dry. Poinsettias need soil within a Ph range of 5.8-6.2 to thrive. A mixture of three parts soil to one part grit is recommendable so that plenty of oxygen can reach the roots.
2. Most poinsettias don’t require repotting over winter, so you can keep it in the pot you bought it in; however, if you decide to re-pot the plant, choose a well-draining peat-based potting soil.

Also Read: 4 Germination Methods That Will Help You In Your Garden

Watering Poinsettias

To grow and care for poinsettia plants, one must be careful while watering this precious plant. Let’s see how:

1. Poinsettias don’t like a lot of water. The trick to ensuring that the plant receives adequate water is in the root bale – the plant’s root bale should neither be completely dry nor too damp.
2. Another hint at judging the plant’s water requirement is in its leaves – if they’re turning yellow or falling off, then the plant probably needs more water.
3. You should be watering poinsettia whenever the soil is noticeably dry. You can even check if the plant needs water through the weight of the plant – lift up the plant; if it feels light, it’s water-o’clock.
4. These particular plants prefer room-temperature water, and water poinsettias with smaller pots more often than big ones because they dry out faster.
5. Mini poinsettias should not be given more than a shot glass of water.
6. Lastly, ensure to drain out any excess water that is still in the planter after 10 minutes of watering poinsettia. As a golden rule, it’s always better to keep the soil drier, rather than too moist.

Also Read: Coffee Grounds For Gardening – Should You Really Try It?

Sunlight And Temperature For Growing And Caring For Poinsettia

One really essential aspect to keep in mind while growing and caring for poinsettias is its basic requirement for temperature. Read the points below to know more:

1. Poinsettia loves warmth and light. The plant must remain away from draughty places such as fireplaces or close to radiators. Exposure to high levels of drought may cause the plant to lose its leaves.

2. The ideal temperature for poinsettias is between 15-33°Cs. A temperature too high can cause the leaves to wilt and brown. If the temperature is too low, the plant can die. 3. Poinsettias also enjoy humidity, so an occasional mist (especially in drier areas) can make the plant sing. 4. Poinsettias are most happy under diffused, bright sunlight. A south-facing window where the plant can receive six to eight hours of sunlight would be the best for this plant. 5. If the plant is outdoors, a light spot rather than full shade would be best – too much sunlight can cause the plant to dry out. Hence, the temperature for poinsettias should always be kept in mind.

How To Prune And Fertilize Poinsettia?

How can one forget about the much-needed requirement for fertilisation while growing and caring for poinsettia plants:

1. The indicator that the Poinsettia requires fertilization is new growth – when you notice fresh green leaves, stems, and bracts.
2. Make a mixture with an all-purpose household plant fertilizer and water with half the recommended strength. Fertilize the plant every 3-4 weeks to keep the plant healthy and happy.
3. To ensure the plant lives another year with you, the poinsettia will need pruning in April to around 10cm (4in) and it should be at a temperature of 13 °C. The plant should then be re-pot in May and grown over the summer.

Poinsettias are not toxic to humans or pets but one should not consume the plant. It can be intimidating to grow and care for poinsettia plants at first, but with a little focus and routine care, one can grow poinsettia and flourish throughout the year.

CONCLUSION

Poinsettias for Christmas serve as vibrant decorations for any house. However, with appropriate care for poinsettias, including bright, indirect light, minimum watering, and moderate temperatures, this plant will remain healthy and in bloom far into the new year and beyond.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1. How to Propagate Poinsettia Plant While Growing And Caring For it?

Ans. There are two major ways of propagating poinsettia plants. You may propagate fresh poinsettia plants by simply seed-sowing or root cutting. If you have begun your cuttings in little nursery pots or plastic cups, you may make your own micro humidity domes from clear plastic bags. Constantly use sterile tools when removing a clipping from a plant to prevent any form of illness. Select a stem that is between 2 and 4 inches in length and has at minimum two fresh leaves. The growth poinsettia plants may offer your house an endless supply of beautiful Christmas blooms.

Q2. Can one plant and grow Poinsettia Outside?

Ans. Can the well-known Christmas poinsettias live and grow outside? Yes. In the correct environment and with the proper planting spot and care, these beautiful Christmas favourites may rapidly develop into three-meter-tall (ten-foot) shrubs. If your poinsettia is potted when you get it, maintain it in a bright environment with temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until outside temperatures at nighttime are usually above 55 degrees Fahrenheit before planting the poinsettia outdoors.

Q3. What are the Common Problems faced while Growing And Caring For poinsettia?

Ans. Grow and care for poinsettia with mindfulness as some issues can hinder the plant’s growth. Poinsettias may burn in direct sun, so place them in a well-lit area where the sun is not directly above. In addition, poinsettia roots might remain in the water in pots that lack drainage holes. This may cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off, or the roots to rot, resulting in the loss of the whole plant. Usually, the hues of poinsettias begin to diminish by February. Sit tight until May to start fertilising if you want to maintain the plant for its green leaves or persuade it to bloom again.

Q4. How To Care for Poinsettias After Christmas?

Ans. The best part is that it is feasible to grow and care for poinsettia beyond Christmas, but bear in mind that the poinsettias will need special attention. Poinsettias need temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 21 degrees Celsius) during the day and somewhat lower temperatures at night, but above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) to prevent leaf loss. Keep the usual watering schedule until spring (or April 1st), then let the soil progressively dry up. From around the midpoint of April or May, or if your plant has gotten leggy, trim the stems to approximately four inches (10 cm.)

Q5. How to Grow And Care for Poinsettias All year round?

Ans. The Poinsettia plant may be admired throughout the summer if it is kept in a shaded spot. To maintain a tiny and compact plant, prune it in mid-July and early Sept to encourage branching. Starting on October 1, place the plant in the total shade as soon as the sun sets, giving at least 14 hrs of darkness.

Q6. How Many varieties and colours of a poinsettia are available?

Ans. Let’s explore a couple of Poinsettia plant varieties: Ice punch. This kind of poinsettia has red bracts that accent white stripes that get progressively lighter in the centre. Winter blush. This type is renowned for its intricate patterns on its scales. The bract margins have a cream engraving with a pink centre. Winter rose early red. This typical kind of huge red poinsettias features smooth bracts. Premium Picasso. The bracts of the premium Picasso poinsettia are pale pink with crimson specks.

Q7. How to Repot Or Transplant Poinsettia Plant?

Ans. To begin transplanting the poinsettia plant in a new area, you will need to dig a hole. To enable growth, the planting site should be around one foot larger and six inches deep than the container the plant was in. If the dirt is dense and lumpy, you must break it up before applying it to the plant. One can choose a container that is roughly 2 inches bigger in diameter to transplant poinsettia. The container’s elevation should stay somewhat constant so that the roots get the same quantity of water. To properly grow and care for poinsettia, You must ensure that the plant is placed in fresh, disease-free soil.

Q8. How to Rebloom Poinsettia?

Ans. Reblooming is a lengthy process that begins with regular maintenance. It is possible for Poinsettias to rebloom, but you should limit your enthusiasm. While poinsettias may be kept as houseplants year-round, getting them to bloom again requires more time and work, and is not always successful. Aside from the short days of care, maintain your typical care throughout the autumn, ensuring to water particularly when the soil is almost parched. There is no requirement for particular temps or humidity levels, and you should never prune in the autumn since you would be removing future blooming stems. Christmas greetings in advance!