Don’t Throw Away that Beautiful Poinsettia!
By Kathleen DeVries, Colorado Master Gardener
Yes, you can re-bloom that poinsettia you bought this winter. It takes a bit of diligence but it can be accomplished easily.
The first step is to take good care of your flowering plant during the holiday season. Only water it when the soil surface is dry, and be sure to remove the foil when watering as the roots tend to rot. Light from a west or south window is best. If you see new growth, apply fertilizer and keep checking for signs of white fly or any other insects. Around Valentines Day cut back the plant to five to six inches in height to promote compact bushy growth. Add potting soil as needed and keep it in that sunny window.
In late May, move it outdoors into indirect light. You can either transplant it into a new pot or transplant it directly into your garden. Fertilize throughout the summer making sure it is in a sunny place and trim back as needed to create a bushy plant. As nighttime temperatures drop (temperatures below 50°F may damage the plant) re-pot it again with fresh planting media, bring it indoors, and place it in a sunny window that gets about six hours of sunlight.
The third week of September is when to begin adding cycles of uninterrupted darkness. The plant needs 14-16 hours per day of absolute darkness; a dark closet or under a sturdy box is ideal. Give the plant eight to ten hours of bright light as you continue light fertilizer and watering. If daily moving of your poinsettia feels like too much trouble, you can set up timed lights in a very dark space. Also make sure your plant is kept cool but not cold; nighttime temperatures in the low 60°F are ideal. After about two months you will begin to see colored bracts appear on your plant.
Now is the time to bring out your revived plant and place it in that south or west window following the holiday season directions above. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as your poinsettia blooms through another holiday season.
For more information:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_rebloom_your_holiday_poinsettia
