Poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant , thir vibrant loss and fleeceable leave wee-wee them a festive addition to any home . But did you know that these plant are in reality native to Mexico ? And that their name comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett , the first US Minister to Mexico ?
Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae kin , which hold back over 2,000 species of plant . The plant life ’s official name is Euphorbia pulcherrima , which means “ very beautiful . ” And it ’s no wonder why – just take a looking at those gorgeous farewell !
The leaves of the Christmas star are really modified bract , which are foliage - similar structures that surround the plant ’s small , yellow-bellied blossom . The bracts are what give the plant life its color . Depending on the salmagundi , poinsettias can be red , pink , clean , or even imperial .
So how did this Mexican native become such a popular Christmas decoration in the United States ? Well , it all begin with Joel Roberts Poinsett . Poinsett was born in South Carolina in 1779 and serve as a Congressman and diplomatist before being appointed as the first US Minister to Mexico in 1825 . While in Mexico , Poinsett became concerned in the country ’s plant and start collect specimen to bring back to the United States .
In 1828 , he came across a small shrub with beautiful red leaves grow in the mountainous realm of central Mexico . He was so impressed by the plant that he sent some specimen back to his home base in South Carolina . The plants did well in his greenhouse and soon Holy Writ spread about this beautiful new species . It was n’t long before they were being grown all over the country .
Today , Euphorbia pulcherrima are widely available in supermarket and garden centers during the Christmas season . They make great gifts and are perfect for adding a spattering of coloration to your plate during the winter months . So next time you ’re appear for a festive plant to brighten up your home , do n’t forget about the humble lobster plant !
Do Poinsettias Come Back Year After Year?
Poinsettias can come back class after year if you give them right care . To keep your poinsettia sound and blooming , start by give it plenty of light . It should be in a sunny spot near a south- or west - face up window . Then , irrigate your Christmas star when the land is dry to the mite . allow the water run out through the peck and discard any that remains in the saucer . fecundate your poinsettia every two hebdomad with a balanced houseplant fertilizer .
Do Poinsettias Like Sun Or Shade?
Poinsettias like a minimum of six hours of indirect sunshine each day . They do best in rooms beteen 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit at Nox and 65 to 70 degree Fahrenheit during the day .
Is Poinsettia Indoor Or Outdoor?
Poinsettias can be kept indoors or outdoors . If you keep them outdoors , check that to put them in a sunny , but protected , area of your flower garden .
Where Do Poinsettias Grow Best?
poinsettia develop best in a sunny , well - drained location protected from north winds and Robert Lee Frost . The south side of a theatre or wall is usualy a unspoiled touch . check that the location receive no unreal light at nighttime from flood lights , street lights or porch light , as this can prevent lobster plant from blossom properly .
What Is The Lifespan Of A Poinsettia?
A Mexican flameleaf can last for two to three month if care for in good order . Some home gardeners with a peculiarly gullible quarter round may enjoy the challenge of care for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second efflorescence next vacation .
What Do You Do With A Poinsettia After The Leaves Fall Off?
Once the leaf have miss , stop water the Mexican flameleaf plant life . In the spring , when novel growth appears , cut the plant back to 3 to 8 inch abve the soil . Repot the poinsettia in a flora heap one to two sizes orotund than the original . Move the poinsettia plant to bright illumination .
Do Poinsettias Require A Lot Of Water?
No , poinsettias do n’t ask a lot of urine . You should irrigate them whenever the soil feel dry to the touching , aout once per week .
How Do I Make My Poinsettia Last Longer?
post your poinsettia in indirect light afer bring it habitation . Poinsettias need six time of day of calorie-free day by day ( fluorescent light will work ) . Keep your plant aside from cold windows , warm or cold draught from furnace or melodic line conditioners , and open door and windowpane .
What Do You Do With Poinsettias After Christmas?
Christmas flower are really quite easy to care for afer Christmas . Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hour of indirect , but brilliant , sunshine each 24-hour interval . In mid - April touch back the stems to 6 - 8 in and place the industrial plant in a gay location . When young growth begins , you may use a liquid fertilizer to secure the plants get enough mineral , especially Ca .
Why My Poinsettia Is Not Turning Red?
If your poinsettia is not turning red , it is liely because it is not receiving enough light . Poinsettias need at least 8 hr of indirect sun daily for ferment reddened . If your works is not receiving enough light , it will not be able to grow the crimson pigments that give the plant its color .
When Should I Put My Poinsettia In The Dark?
to boost your Mexican flameleaf to re - blossom , you should put it in complete darkness for at least 12 hours each day , starting in September and bear on until the plant life shows colour in the bracts ( usually early to mid - December ) . The industrial plant should be maintain at a temperature of 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit during this sentence .
How Do You Get A Poinsettia To Rebloom?
To encourage your poinsettia to bloom again , you ’ll need to cautiously prune the flora and feed it on a regular basis . You may also need to repot the flora in warmer calendar month , and enrapture it outdoors occasionally . To encourage side forking , pinch the tips of the plant ’s stems . Finally , place the poinsettia in a lovesome , dark environment for 12 hours each day .
How Do You Water A Poinsettia Indoors?
To irrigate a Mexican flameleaf indoors , place the works in the kitchen cesspool and saturate the plant slowly until water drips through the drain mess . Let the pot abide in the swallow hole until redundant moisture drains , and then adjust the deal on a plate or tray . Never allow the pot to tolerate in water .
Can You Take Cuttings From A Poinsettia?
Yes , poinsettia cuttings can be taken from healthy , vigorous plant . The best time to take cutting is in belated natural spring or former summer .
How Do You Turn A Poinsettia Blue?
Euphorbia pulcherrima are not get from seeds , so there ’s no fortune that a blue semen would produce a blue leafage . “ What we do is take a newspaper clipping , 12 - 14 leave . We take it dip it into a root hormone that we direct joint in these pots , ” he said .
Are Poinsettias Hard To Keep Alive?
Poinsettias are not hard to keep active , but getting them to rebloom next year is more challenging . Once the colourful bracts fade and fall off the plant ater the holidays , cut back the stem just below the flowers .
Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
No , poinsettias are not poisonous . In most cases , photo to any parts of the poinsettia plant in child or deary has very little if any consequence . If swallowed , it may make mild irritation : nausea , vomiting , or diarrhea . advert it may cause a rash .
Is A Poinsettia Dead If It Loses All Its Leaves?
No , a Euphorbia pulcherrima is not idle if it lose all its leaves . Poinsettias are know for their colorful red bracts , but they are also know as temperamental plants . Dropped leaves are common , but with proper guardianship , poinsettias with fall foliage will recover their health .
Do Poinsettias Grow New Leaves?
Yes , poinsettias get fresh leaves . In fact , they postulate to be pruned every yr to advance new growth .
How Do You Put A Poinsettia To Sleep?
To put a poinsettia to sleep , you need to remove it from its pot and readjust it in a new one at least one sizing heavy . Fill the Modern pot with a mix of adequate part coarse Baroness Dudevant , good garden soil , and leaf cast .
Why Are My Poinsettia Leaves Curling And Falling Off?
There could be seeral reasons why your poinsettia leaves are curling and come off . It could be due to low temperatures or sudden draft , or it could be because the plant life has been treat with dwarfing internal secretion . If you ’re not sure what the causal agent is , you should consult a gardener or plant expert for advice .
Do You Water Poinsettias From Top Or Bottom?
When water a Christmas flower , it is good to irrigate from the bottom . This can be done by place the plant in a sink or dish and letting water system slowly bleed into the grass until it is full . provide the works to soak up the water for several proceedings , then drain any excess water .
Can You Water Poinsettias With Ice Cubes?
Yes , you could water poinsettias with ice cube . Place 6 - 8 trash cube in the container every day to keep the ground adequately moist .
Can Poinsettias Live Year Round?
Yes , poinsettias can be kept live year beat with minimal fuss . Here are some tips for go on your poinsettia healthy :
-Water when the soil is dry to the touch . Overwatering can cause root decomposition , so be certain to check the soil before watering.-Place in a sunny spot . Poinsettias need at leat six hours of sun each day.-Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.-Pinch back the stem to further young growth.-When the weather warms up , you could move your poinsettia outdoors . Just be indisputable to bring it back inside before the temperature drops at night .
Do Poinsettias Help Clean The Air?
Yes , poinsettias help scavenge the air by off trace formaldehyde from the atmosphere . Formaldehyde is a vulgar pollutant found in many family item like detachment , grocery handbag , and particleboard . By absent this pollutant from the melodic phrase , poinsettias supporter produce a neat and healthier environment .
How Do You Get A Poinsettia To Change Colors?
A poinsettia needs twelve hour of darkness for at least five successive Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in rules of order to change people of colour . After the color change process has taken post , poinsettias need at least six 60 minutes of indirect sun per day to keep their hopeful color .
Can I Put My Poinsettia Outside In The Summer?
Yes , you’re able to put your lobster plant alfresco during the summer as long as it is in a spot with bright indirect spark and is protected from the hot good afternoon sun . Your works can go alfresco once nighttime temperatures stay above 55 point .
Should I Repot My Poinsettia?
Yes , you should repot your poinsettia when you contribute it indoors after it has spent the leaping and summertime outdoors in the flower bed . This will foreclose the plant from becomig root - bound .
Will A Poinsettia Turn Red Again?
Yes , a poinsettia will wrench red again if the proper care is break to the plant life . After the blooming wheel has ended , the flora require to go through a dormancy period . This can be carry out by shrink the amount of water given to the plant . Once spring arrives , watering and fertilizing can re-start . With the right guardianship , a poinsettia will plough red again .
How Often Does A Poinsettia Bloom?
Poinsettias bloom in response to the distance of the day , or photoperiod . They need 12 - 14 hour of complete darkness each night for six to eight weeks before they will bloom .
How Do You Take Care Of A Poinsettia Year Round?
To care for a poinsettia twelvemonth - circular , start by ensuring that the works is healthy . Move it to a bigger container if necessary , and keep it in a gay spot . Water regularly , making trusted not to overwater , and prune as needed . In the fall and winter , keep the plant in the dark for 12 hours each twenty-four hours to further blooming . fertilise monthly .
What Happens If You Overwater A Poinsettia?
If you overwater a poinsettia , the lower leaves will turn yellow and unload . Over - watered plants may also develop root rots and give out .
How Do I Make My Poinsettia Bushy?
To make your Christmas flower bushy , you should prune the plant again in tardy July or early August , or pinch back the ends of the root word ( leaving three or four folio per root ) to encourage compact growth .
How Big Does A Poinsettia Get?
Poinsettias can grow into small , scraggly trees in thir aboriginal surround , reaching 10 to 15 feet tall , but you’re able to control their size of it by pinching them back . Start pinching the growing wind in summertime and stop about mid - August .
Are Poinsettias Annuals Or Perennials?
lobster plant are really repeated plants . aboriginal to Mexico , they can grow outside yr - unit of ammunition in USDA grow regions 9 to 11 .
Are Purple Poinsettias Real?
Yes , purplish Mexican flameleaf are real . There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettias available . Though once only available in red , there are now Poinsettias in pinkish , white , yellow , imperial , salmon , and multi - colors .
What Color Are Poinsettias Naturally?
painted leaf are course a rich blood-red color . However , they can be ascertain in a multifariousness of colors ranging from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red . Some varieties have bract with pattern in red and snowy , pinkish and white-hot , or green and white and even shining orange . Flower forms vary as well with some looing interchangeable to a rosebush .
Are There Real Blue Poinsettias?
Yes , thee are substantial blue Euphorbia pulcherrima . However , the flowers are dyed to make them blue . It ’s a special dye that wo n’t hurt the plant , so it continue to maturate as usual if you take good care of it .
What To Do With Poinsettia After Bloom?
Conclusion
The Mexican flameleaf ( /?p??ns?ti?/ ) is a commercially important plant species of the diverse family Euphorbiaceae . The species is autochthonal to Mexico . It is in particular well known for its crimson and unripened foliation and is widely used in Christmas flowered displays . It deduce its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett , the frst United States Minister to Mexico , who introduced the plant to the US in 1825 .
Euphorbia pulcherrima is a small tree or bush attain a height of 0.6–4 m ( 2–13 ft ) , rarely up to 7 thousand ( 23 ft ) . The stem bears leaves alternately fix up along its length , each leaf with a foliage stalk ( petiole ) 2–7 cm ( 0.8–2.8 in ) long . The upper side of the folio is dour dark-green and glossy , while the low side is pale light-green with small violent glands . The margin of the leaf are entire or sometimes finely toothed . Leaves near the groundwork of the plant are simple oval soma up to 20 cm ( 8 in ) longsighted and 12 cm ( 4.7 in ) wide , while those higher on the stems are much humble and often lancelike or minute triangular shapes . All go out contan latex .
The plant life produces modest , jaundiced flush that miss flower petal , clustered in terminal cymes 5–15 cm ( 2–6 in ) wide , each flower subtend by four bracts that range from ashen through pink to scarlet red ink ; some cultivars have flowers with no greenish tinge at all and seem flame - red from a distance . The fruit is a condensation 3–5 cm ( 1.2–2 in ) diam contain legion seeds ; it opens explosively when mature releasing the seeds with sufficient force to injure eyesight if they contact them at once ; as a result , it is commonly knwn as “ Fire on the Mountain ” .
Caroline Bates
