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You can hardly go into a store, business or home this time of year without seeing a poinsettia. Whether you are selecting a poinsettia for your own home or as a gift, consider the plant size. The largest plants, if you have room for one, will be found at a florist or garden center. But for a small room or a table center piece, a little 6 inch plant may be a better choice. Keep your Poinsettia looking good!
For a poinsettia that will last well into the new year, select a healthy plant that is not too mature. Those little yellow buds in the center of the colored bracts are actually the flowers. If the flowers are shedding pollen or falling off, the plant is past its prime. Also make sure the leaves are healthy. They should have a good dark green color with no browning around the edges. If leaves are actually falling off, the plant will not last long. As soon as you get the poinsettia home, make sure the pot will drain adequately. If there is foil covering the pot either punch some holes in the foil so water can drain out, or remove the foil. Set the pot on a saucer or into a decorative container to avoid damaging furniture. Water the plant as soon as the soil begins to feel dry. If the plant is allowed to wilt, leaves will usually begin to fall off. But never allow the pot to stand in water either. This can quickly lead to drowning or root rot. How long the plant will last will depend largely on where you keep it. The best spot is bright, without much direct sunlight. Direct mid-day sun will age the plant much more quickly. Temperatures should be in the 70's during the day and 60's at night. Also try to avoid exposing the plant to cold drafts and heat vents. It is best to locate a poinsettia out of reach of children and pets. No, the plant is NOT poisonous! That's one of those old wives' tales that won't go away. Some people do get an allergic skin reaction to the sap. The stems are easily broken and can drip sticky latex-like sap onto carpets and furniture. For most of us poinsettias are best enjoyed during the winter months and discarded when their beauty fades. Without a greenhouse and the right care, it is unlikely the plant will attain the same compact form next year. And specific requirements must be met in order to achieve the colored bracts in time for the holiday season. However with proper care this year's poinsettia plant can brighten your home well into March. Tips for a long lasting poinsettia:
2. Keep temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. 3. Keep soil moist, but not wet. 4. Do not allow plant to wilt. 5. Do not expose to hot or cold drafts. (Story and image provided by Linda Blue, an agricultural extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Buncombe County.)
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