It's always exciting to receive a live flowering plant as a gift, as the blooms usually last a lot longer than a cut flower arrangement. Potted flowers vary greatly in their typical life spans, as some will peter out after a few weeks, while others may thrive for years.
Poinsettias as I have heard be reported on the news is the 2nd most popular house plant so here is some pointers to keep it blooming and alive thru January.
Light - Place it near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable to a north facing window. Poinsettias are tropicals and will appreciate as much direct sunlight as you can provide.
Heat - To keep the poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 - 75 degrees F. during the day. Dropping the temperature to about 60 degrees F. at night will not hurt the plant. However, cold drafts or allowing the leaves to touch a cold window can injure the leaves and cause premature leaf drop. If you've ever seen a leggy poinsettia in bloom, with only a couple of sad looking leaves hanging on, it was probably exposed to temperatures that were too cool or extreme shifts in temperature.
Water - Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don't let the plant sit in water. Wilting is another common cause of leaf drop. A wilted plant can be revived and salvaged, but it will take another season to improve its appearance. The most important thing to do. Which I highlighted for me, because watering house plants isn't always something I remember to do....word from the wise do as I say, not as I do.
Humidity - Lack of humidity during dry seasons, in particular winter, is an ongoing houseplant problem. If your home tends to be dry and your poinsettia is in direct light, you will find yourself watering frequently, possibly every day.
After Christmas Care
January - March: Keep watering the poinsettia whenever the surface is dry.
Taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/winterinthegarden/a/Poinsettia.htm
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
Poinsettias as I have heard be reported on the news is the 2nd most popular house plant so here is some pointers to keep it blooming and alive thru January.
Light - Place it near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable to a north facing window. Poinsettias are tropicals and will appreciate as much direct sunlight as you can provide.
Heat - To keep the poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 - 75 degrees F. during the day. Dropping the temperature to about 60 degrees F. at night will not hurt the plant. However, cold drafts or allowing the leaves to touch a cold window can injure the leaves and cause premature leaf drop. If you've ever seen a leggy poinsettia in bloom, with only a couple of sad looking leaves hanging on, it was probably exposed to temperatures that were too cool or extreme shifts in temperature.
Water - Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don't let the plant sit in water. Wilting is another common cause of leaf drop. A wilted plant can be revived and salvaged, but it will take another season to improve its appearance. The most important thing to do. Which I highlighted for me, because watering house plants isn't always something I remember to do....word from the wise do as I say, not as I do.
Humidity - Lack of humidity during dry seasons, in particular winter, is an ongoing houseplant problem. If your home tends to be dry and your poinsettia is in direct light, you will find yourself watering frequently, possibly every day.
After Christmas Care
January - March: Keep watering the poinsettia whenever the surface is dry.
Taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/winterinthegarden/a/Poinsettia.htm
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
