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Do you need special soil for poinsettias?
Absolutely, but there are some special requirements for this Mexican native to keep it thriving and lively. All container plants need good soil, the right size container and excellent drainage, and poinsettias are no exception. The soil should be organic, sterile and loose.
How do you repot a poinsettia?
Cut the main stems six inches above soil level. Remove the plant from the pot and gently wash the old soil from the roots. Repot the plant in fresh potting soil that has good drainage. Poinsettias are susceptible to stem and root diseases if the soil is heavy and retains excess moisture.
How do you care for a potted poinsettia indoors?
Place potted poinsettias indoors in indirect light. Six hours or more of light (natural or fluorescent) is best. Keep them comfortable, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees, day or night. Lower temperatures will make them drop leaves almost immediately and shut down.
Can you use Miracle Grow on poinsettias?
Around the first of March, start fertilizing the poinsettia with a good balanced fertilizer. A water soluble fertilizer like Peter’s, or Miracle-Grow works well. At the end of March – the first of April cut the poinsettia back to about 6”-8”. Continue to water and fertilize regularly.
Can you use cactus soil for poinsettias?
The best potting soil for a succulent is cactus potting soil and can be found at most nurseries. You may also plant your succulent in 1 part sand to 3 parts potting soil.
What kind of fertilizer do poinsettias need?
Some common fertilizers used for poinsettias are 15-0-15, 15-16-17, 20-10-20, and EXCEL Cal-Mag 15-5-15. But other fertilizer types can also be used to grow good plants. For example, I’ve been using 20-0-20 with superphosphate added to the growth medium for a couple of years with great results.
What is the life expectancy of a poinsettia plant?
“Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they’re really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years.”
Is Epsom salt good for poinsettias?
You can help your poinsettia even more by giving it a teaspoon of two of Epsom salts that provide magnesium. Without magnesium, the leaves will turn yellow. Poinsettias like a generous amount of water, and mulching around the trunk will help keep moisture in the soil.
Can you overwater a poinsettia?
Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. A final caution: Do not overwater your poinsettia or let it sit in standing water.
Can I plant my poinsettia outside?
The time to plant poinsettias outside is late March, after the danger of frost has passed. Until then, keep the plants in a sunny window and water when the soil begins to feel dry. Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location protected from north winds and frost.
What is the best plant food for poinsettias?
Can you root poinsettia cuttings in water?
An easier way is to take cuttings of woody stem about 18 in (45.7 cm) long, stick in ground and keep moist (not wet) for several weeks.” It would, then, appear that neither the native nor the non-native plant with the common name “poinsettia” can be propagated by placing cuttings in water.
How can I reflower a poinsettia?
Repot into a 2-3 inches in diameter larger pot.
When to repot Poinsettia?
Repotting may be necessary at the end of summer after the plant has grown. If the poinsettia is planted in the ground, you can expect a shrub-like plant during the summer. Pinch back new growth in June, July or August to promote a bushier plant.
Do poinsettias need sun?
Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours a day of indirect sunlight. They also prefer room temperatures of 68-70F and will keep their color the longest during these conditions. If cared for properly, the bloom period of the poinsettia can last for several months.
How do you care for a poinsettia?
Reflowering Your Poinsettia Commit to caring for your poinsettia. Maintain the same watering schedule til April. Allow the plant to dry out. Cut back the stems. Repot the plant if necessary. Move the poinsettia outdoors. In August, prune the new shoots. Move the poinsettia back indoors. Follow the correct reflowering procedures.