The Euphorbia pulcherrima is a commercially important flowering plant coinage of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae . Indigenous to Mexico and Central America , the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834 . It is specially well known for its flushed and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral show . It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett , the first United States minister of religion to Mexico , who is credit with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s .
Poinsettias change color in response to scant wintertime day . Poinsettia peak are made up of the bract , which look like petal , and the midget chicken flowers in the nerve centre , calledcyathia . Poinsettia thrives in burnished lighting as a houseplant and also outdoors in partial shade in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 .
Christmas flower are by and large shrubs or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can grow quite magnanimous in their innate habitat , reach out heights of 10 feet or more . However , when naturalize for cosmetic use , they are kept much smaller , normally 2 to 4 foot marvelous . The most notable characteristics of poinsettias is their colorful bract , which many masses mistake for blossom . These bracts are in reality modified leaf that can be red , pink , white , or marbled . The genuine flowers are the little , yellow structures found in the center of these bracts . The foliage is gullible , often with a slimly toothed margin , and the leaves are elliptical to lanceolate in bod .
The literal flowers of the poinsettia are little , white-livered , and bunch together in the mall where the bracts meet . They miss petals but have a social organization distinctive of the Euphorbia folk , with cyathia ( cup - corresponding structure ) containing tiny manly and female flowers . Poinsettias rosiness in response to short days , which in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around late November to January , adjust with the Christmas season . The bracts exhibit their vibrant colors during this period .
disseminate painted leaf is easily done from stem carving , which will steady down in just a few weeks if kept under warm , bright conditions . While not as toxic as once thought , poinsettias can get mild irritation if assimilate or if the sap contacts skin or eyes . They are generally study safe around pets and children with proper care .
raging poinsettias come from Mexico to southern Guatemala , grow on mid - elevation , Pacific - facing gradient . One population in the Mexican DoS of Guerrero is much further inland , however , and is thought to be the antecedent of most train populations . Wild poinsettia populations are highly split , as their home ground is experiencing for the most part unregulated deforestation .
Every class in the United States , just about 70 million poinsettias of many naturalise kind are sell in a six - calendar week period . Many of these poinsettias are grow by Paul Ecke Ranch , which function half the worldwide market and 70 per centum of the US grocery .
Cultivation
Light : During the increase phase , lobster plant need bright , indirect light . For the bracts to call on color , they require long nights , ideally 14 hour of continuous darkness for at least 5 consecutive mean solar day to initiate bloom .
Temperature : idealistic daytime temperature are between 65 - 70 ° F ( 18 - 21 ° blow ) , and nights should ideally be a number cooler , around 60 - 65 ° F ( 15 - 18 ° coke ) . They are sensible to frigidness and should not be debunk to temperatures below 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) .
Water : Poinsettias need reproducible moisture but should not be overwatered . Allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between watering . lachrymation should be done with room temperature water , and it ’s advisable to use pots with drainage hole to prevent root rotting .
Soil : Well - draining ground is all-important . A mix designed for houseplants or even a cactus mix with added peat moss for wet retention work well .
fertilisation : During the grow time of year ( spring and summer ) , feed with a balanced , all - purpose fertiliser every two calendar week . concentrate or stop fecundation during the blooming period and in the twilight when they are preparing for their colour modification .
Pruning : After the flower time period , around previous winter or former spring , poinsettias can be cut back to about 4 - 6 inch from the land bank line to promote new growth . pinch back new growth in spring and summer advance bushiness .
Repotting : Repot in leap if the works has outgrown its pot or if the soil has become depleted . Choose a slightly larger pot to give root elbow room to expand .
Post - Bloom Care : After the holiday season , with right care , poinsettias can be celebrate twelvemonth - round . They need a period of dark in fall to rebloom , which can be simulate indoors by handle the plant or site it in a blue way for 14 hours each day .
peculiar Notes
How to Grow Poinsettias in a Greenhouse
maturate them in a nursery is the best way to ensure healthy and bushy Christmas flower plant .
