Trim off the top of each stem when they are 4 to 6 The poinsettia is native to Mexico, and the Aztecs used them in their fall celebrations. While known as "short day plants," it is actually the exposure to darkness that is critical to the formation of colorful bracts and flower buds. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but the sap may cause dermatitis. The true flowers are small and clustered in the centers of the bracts. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, and avoid overwatering as this can lead to disease and root rot. Double-checking for pests is a good idea, too.
Keep the temperature between 60-70F, and watch out for chilly drafts around windows. Around mid-March, either plant them in the ground in similar growing conditions or add them to a larger container. Poinsettias may become "leggy" and unattractive if not pruned regularly during the growing season. Dark periods of 11 hours, 45 minutes will initiate flowers in most poinsettia varieties, but initiation is most rapid at 1414.5 hours of darkness. During the other hours of the day, the plant should receive normal lighting conditions. Trim off the top of each stem when they are 4 to 6 Thank you for your feedback! Cutting back a poinsettia can provide many benefits, including promoting healthy growth and better blooms. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Specializing in Commercial and Residential Landscaping, RCH Landscaping guarantees professionalism with superior results for every landscaping project we engage. Cover your plants every day around 5 p.m., and uncover them in the morning between 7-8 a.m. During the day, make sure they're still getting plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. The best time to prune the poinsettia is at the end of January . Q: I would like to plant a screen in back of a perennial garden that gets sun all day to block a privacy fence. Poinsettias dont like high indoor temperatures over the mid-70s or over-watering (actually, about 68 degrees is ideal). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. A: Maybe your tree is getting a head start on its Halloween disguise or maybe this is the work of some scary but harmless psocid insects. Bring Life to Your Home with a DIY Water-Rooted Poinsettia. The spring pruning should be done once the plant has finished blooming, and the second pruning should be done during late summer. Above all, if you are interested in staying up to date and reflecting on these issues, both on a practical and informative level. For most poinsettias, this will be sometime in February or March. Rather than the straight, pointed bracts we're used to, rose poinsettias have bracts that curl slightly back and under, making them look like clusters of roses in full bloom. Fertilizing Frequency: What You Need to Know About Caring for Poinsettias, How to Care for Your Poinsettia Plant Outdoors. by Adina Dosan (adinamiti) March 8, 2013. Insects and MitesPests that attack poinsettias include aphids, mealybugs, soft scales, whiteflies, and spider mites. Poinsettias should be pruned twice a year, once in the early spring and once in the summer. You can pinch off new buds as they sprout from May to August to encourage branching. Trim off the leaves on each poinsettia stem once the plant finishes blooming in March, leaving just three to four leaves on each stem. 
News & views around the Florida-Georgia border. Your email address will not be published. Make sure your tools are sharp. Flower buds will begin to develop in October. Gardening with poinsettias can be a rewarding experience, but knowing when to cut back poinsettias is essential for ensuring their optimal health. Photo courtesy of Marc Frank, UF/IFAS. When it comes to caring for a poinsettia, one of the best things a gardener can do is cut it back. Photo courtesty of Marc Frank, UF/IFAS. In addition to pruning your poinsettia in spring and summer, these perennial shrubs also benefit from regular pinching back during the growing season. Prune in early spring when the floral display is finished and the danger of frost has passed. The primary purpose of pruning a poinsettia in the late summer is to prepare the plant for blooming. Andi Xoch. Pruning during this time will help reduce the risk of damage and encourage new growth. When you're picking out poinsettias to decorate for the holidays, look for plants that have healthy green leaves; they shouldn't be curled, brown, or falling off the lower stem at all. Remember that poinsettias are tropical plants and must be protected from frosts and freezing weather. This article has been viewed 102,131 times. Q: I noticed one of my trees has a web on the trunk and some of the branches. Any damage, even a small scratch, can produce sap leaking on a poinsettia leaf. Do not cut off foliage that appears green and vibrant. It sounds like you found the perfect time to prune your poinsettias. Even though they are long-lasting and exquisite on the holiday table or as part of the decorations, poinsettias are rarely used as cut flowers. Read our, How to Prune a Peace Lily So It Looks Its Best, How to Grow and Care for Rockspray Cotoneaster, How to Grow and Care for False Sunflowers. Web. In August, pinch off about an inch from each growing tip to encourage your plants to branch out. Using sharp pruning tools is essential when pruning a poinsettia. Sydney Park Brown, retired associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/, https://safnow.org/aboutflowers/holidays-occasions/christmas/, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/poinsettia.html, UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Place it near a sunny window for maximum plant life. Dont worry, it will reward you with plenty of luscious blooms in the long run! This will help keep the poinsettia healthy and encourage new growth. Poinsettias are perennial shrubs and, like many shrubs, pruning is an important part of caring for a poinsettia. They grow well in a sunny window, but not in full sun, especially during the hot summer days. One other quick note poinsettias are not poisonous to humans or pets. It is at this time when the plant will have already lost all its leaves, both the green ones and the red bracts . Ambassador to Mexico, who sent them to his home in South Carolina. If you are okay with your poinsettia growing into a larger shrub, you can use the rule of pruning to trim back the branches. Trim discolored, dry, or limp leaves by making 45-degree cuts on the stem just below the leaf. By doing so, you will have attractive poinsettias made all the more so because you kept them growing yourself! RCH Landscaping is South Floridas and the Palm Beaches go-to Commercial and Residential Landscape Company. Check your plants water needs daily but water only when it feels dry. If I want to save the cuttings and plant them later, I introduce them in a glass of warm water immediately to stop the white sap "bleed". In wild poinsettias, the bracts are typically bright red, but horticulturists have now bred varieties with bracts in varying shades of white, pink, purple, orange, and yellow. Often all gardeners see are the webs spun by the psocids to rear their young. Keep them in a warm and sunny spot, away from drafts and sources of heat. Poinsettias should be pruned twice a year, once in the early spring and once in the summer. We will update our content. They grow well in a sunny window, but not in full sun, especially during the hot summer days. But don't let roots sit in excess water or they can start to rot. Sometimes the fruits are already formed. The best time to prune a poinsettia is in late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. 2 Cut off the dead foliage using clean gardening shears in February or March. Also, check the real flowers in the center of the bracts. These plants are especially eye-catching alongside classic, all-red poinsettias. This will ensure that the plant is not harmed by the process and will help to promote new growth. The best time to prune the poinsettia is at the end of January . One of the most important benefits of cutting back a poinsettia is that it encourages new growth and a fuller, bushier plant. EM. We believe our customers are our Each branch should have three to four leaves remaining. Plants with solid red bracts are the most popular during the holiday season, but you can find plenty of other fun colors this season, including pink, white, orange, yellow, and even purple. This is the point that indicates that the time has come to take the pruning shears, sterilize them and get to work. The symptoms are scorching on the margins and tips of the leaves and yellowing between the leaf veins. Cut the stems back by half or two-thirds of their original length. Fertilize your poinsettia once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to promote healthy growth. According the USDA, poinsettias are the second largest-selling flowering potted crop in the country (orchids are the biggest seller). Some people may have a skin reaction if exposed to the white sap found in the stems. Then, they are fed and watered to encourage new growth. You should notice some new growth, but they'll stay completely green all summer. Poinsettias should only be pruned to shape the plant and remove dead or damaged leaves and stems. Make sure your tools are sharp. Give it a try and dont throw it away! They're tiny, but for long-lasting poinsettias, you want ones that are still tightly closed and don't have any yellow pollen showing yet. Andrea Beck served as garden editor at BHG and her work has appeared on Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, MyRecipes, and more. How to Take Care of a Poinsettia During the Holidays, How to Get Your Poinsettia to Rebloom Next Christmas, 7 Common Poinsettia Care Mistakes Everybody Makes, 16 Ideas for Poinsettia Decor for Holiday Spirit Throughout Your Home. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started. Dull tools can tear or rip the delicate leaves and stems, resulting in damaged plants. References. If you follow all these steps, your Poinsettia should be able to stay with you for several years. RCH Landscaping FL | 2022 All rights reserved Worldwide | SEO By Seomavericks, Landscaping Tips for Water Restricted Areas, How to Protect Your Business Landscaping from Storm Damage, Tips to Prepare Your Landscape for Spring, Best Place to Plant Poinsettias in Florida. Cut the stems down to about 12 to 18 inches from the ground after the fear of frost if over. The spring pruning should be done once the plant has finished blooming, and the second pruning should be done during late summer. The fancy hybrids do not grow as easily as the standard red ones. As a result of intensive breeding, the traditionally bright red poinsettia is now available in burgundy, pink, peach, white, yellow, and marbled colors.