POINSETTIA (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)

above: views of some of our Poinsettia greenhouses

(see below for our Poinsettia Web-Special!)

Poinsettias, with their vibrant red bract coloration, have become a Christmas tradition!  Native to Mexico where they grow as large shrubs, poinsettias were first brought to the USA by Joe Poinsett in 1825.  The coloroed bract, a type of leaf, is what the poinsettia is known for, with the actual flower being the yellow buds in the center of these bracts.

LIGHT:  Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light to full sun.  If placed in low light areas, such as the interior of a room, the bract color will last 4 to 6 weeks, yet the overall health of the plant will decline.

MOISTURE:  Poinsettias should be watered thoroughly until the water runs out through the drainage holes.  Remove all water from the saucer so it will not be absorbed back into the soil.  This practice keeps the plant from becoming wet, and a prime candidate for root rot.

TO INDUCE FLOWERING:  Poinsettias require an 8-week period of 14 hours of darkness per day, with high light the remaining 10 hours per day.  Beginning in late September, place your poinsettia in a completely dark closet for 14 hours each night, then bring into full light.  By the Christmas season you'll be in full bloom!  Better yet, just visit us - no hassle!!

With proper care, poinsettias will remain in color long after Christmas.  Once the coloered bracts begin to fade, usually in March or April, cut the plant back to 4 or 6 inches above the soil level.  Continue to keep them high light, placing them outdoors after all danger of frost is past in spring and night temperatures are above 50.  In mid-July, cut off the top 3 -4 inches of the plant, thus forcing a shorter, bushier plant.  Bring the poinsettia indoors before the first fall frost, placing it in a high light area.

SPECIAL NOTE:  The Society of American Florists, in conjunction with The Ohio State University, have concluded after extensive testing that the poinsettia IS NOT TOXIC.

Click here for our Poinsettia Web-Special