Poinsettia care

It is hard to believe that another year will soon draw to a close. With the holiday season kicking off, questions concerning poinsettia selection and care increase.

The plant is a Christmas time favorite, not just in Kingsville, but nationwide. Each year 10 million plants are sold in the United States.

Native to Mexico, the poinsettia originated in a region near the presentday city of Taxco. Joel Robert Poinsett, a Southern plantation owner and botanist, was appointed the first United States Ambassador to Mexico and while visiting Taxco he was struck by the beauty of the brilliant red plants he found blooming in the region during December.

He had some of the plants sent to his plantation in Greenville, South Carolina, where they flourished in his greenhouse.

When selecting a poinsettia for the holiday season, look for plants that are fully mature, thoroughly colored and have expanded bracts, the colorful parts of the poinsettia.

Avoid plants with too much green around the bract edges. Bracts come in white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled or speckled, as well as the traditional red.

An abundance of dark, rich green foliage is a sign of good plant health. Look for plants with dense, plentiful foliage all the way down to the stem. Plant height and shape relative to container size is the key to an aesthetically pleasing poinsettia.

Plants should appear balanced, full and attractive from all angles.

Examine the soil of the plant. It’s best to avoid waterlogged soil, particularly if the plant appears wilted. This could be a sign of irreversible root rot.

When transplanting the plant, protect it from chilling winds and temperatures below 50 degrees F. Reinserting the poinsettia into a sleeve or placing it in a large, roomy shopping bag provides adequate protection for transporting the plant home when it is cold and windy.

The poinsettia thrives on indirect, natural daylight, and must have at least six hours exposure to daylight.

If direct sun cannot be avoided, diffuse with a light shade or sheer curtain. To prolong the bright color of the poinsettia bracts, daytime temperatures should not exceed 70 degrees F.

Avoid placing the plants near drafts, oppressive heat or dry air from appliances, fireplaces or ventilating ducts.

Poinsettias require moderately moist soil. Water the plants thoroughly when the surface feels dry to the touch. Remove the plant from decorative pots or covers, and water enough to completely saturate the soil.

Do not allow the poinsettia to sit in water; root rot could result which could kill the plant. It is not necessary to fertilize the poinsettia when it is in bloom.

Careful selection and care will insure that poinsettias will remain attractive throughout the holiday season and longer.