Its time to add Christmas 2013 to the memory book. And it is also time to do something with the poinsettias that will begin to fade.
Mine are looking pretty bad and so into the compost pile they go. But … your poinsettia will bloom again next December — with some luck, and these steps.
Until March, water your plant, provide a liquid fertilizer once a month and place your poinsettia in a window that receives six hours of indirect light a day.
In March, prune the poinsettia to 10 inches in height. Continue water, fertilizer and sun requirement.
After the last chance of frost, and when outdoor temperatures remain above 55 degrees, move your poinsettia outside. Locate the plant in a place that receives morning sun with afternoon shade, or lots of indirect light. Continue with the water (do not let the plants dry out) and fertilization schedule.
In mid summer, transplant into a pot one size larger. Prune the plant to keep it neat and attractive.
Its been easy so far, now for the luck part! Beginning Oct. 1, your poinsettia must be in complete darkness for 14 hours each night. Accomplish this by covering the plant with a large box. Take the box off each morning and put it back on each night during October, November and early December. Night temps must be above 60 degrees. Continue with the water schedule, making sure to water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Continue fertilizing.
Sometime in December the poinsettia should start to bloom — usually, sometimes. It has been known to happen. Good luck!
Todd Goulding provides residential landscape design consultations. Contact him at www.fernvalley.com or 478-345-0719.
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