POINSETTIAS
Introduced in the United States by our first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, the poinsettia has become the traditional holiday houseplant. Available in reds, pinks, golds, whites and even variegated - there is one for every taste. We even love them painted and glittered! When purchasing your poinsettia, look for a plant with dark green, healthy foliage, strong stems and bright colored bracts. Yep, we said 'bracts' - bracts are the showy, colored parts of the poinsettia that most people think of as the flowers - but in fact they are really a modified leaf. Place your poinsettia in a well-lit location, but out of direct sunlight and drafts. Water often enough to keep the soil evenly moist, but not too soggy. Enyoy poinsettias for 8 to 10 weeks, after all, the holidays just wouldn't be the same without these festive plants!
McDonald Tip: It is possible to grow your poinsettia for another year. When the bracts begin to fade, cut the plant back 5 to 8 inches above the soil. Place it in a cool, medium light location and allow the soil to dry well between waterings. In late April or early May, repot and place it outdoors in a shady location. Fertilize once a month. In order to initiate flowering and color development of the bracts, poinsettias need long night periods. Beginning October 1st, and continuing for six weeks, place the plant in a dark closet or an unused room each evening from 5-7pm. After six weeks, place the poinsettia in bright, indirect light and water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. The plant should soon flower and develop color in its bracts.
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