Ashleigh Smith
Why Are Poinsettias Associated With Christmas?
You may have noticed more red and leafy plants being displayed in the homes of your friends, family, and around town. These poinsettias have come to be known as the Christmas flower and their use in this season goes back to its origin in Southern Mexico. The legend describes a young, poor girl who was attending a Christmas Eve religious service. As it was customary to bring a gift to leave at the nativity scene she wanted to bring something, but didn’t have the money to do so. As she was walking to the service she picked some weeds as the only thing she could offer. When she laid her bouquet at the nativity, the weeds turned to beautiful red flowers. This legend has given the Poinsettia another name, “Flores de Noche Buena,” also known as Flowers of the Holy Night.They were only known as Poinsettias after being introduced to the United States by a U.S. ambassador to Mexico in the 1800s. Eventually they would be produced and widely advertised as the holiday gift and decoration they have become today.
Poinsettia Care
January: Fertilize as you see new growth, maintain enough light and water.
February: Check your plant for insects. If it is starting to develop long and leggy stems cut them back to about 5 inches. This will stimulate stronger growth.
March: Prune away faded and dry leaves and branches. Remove any leaves on the soil surface as these will encourage pests and disease. If roots are showing cover with additional soil. Keep in a bright location.
May: Trim a couple of inches off the branches to encourage more side branching. Transplant into a container from the original pot. When new growth appears start fertilizing. Fertilizer applications should be made with an all-purpose household plant fertiilzer every 3-4 weeks.
June: Move the plant outside for the summer to a location with indirect light.
July: Trim and move the plant into full sunlight, water, and fertilize.
September: Move indoors to a spot that gets 6 hours or more of direct light a day. Reduce fertilizer use to a quarter of the recomended amount.
October: Give 16 hours of uninterupted darkness and 8 hours a day of bright light. It is very important that the periods of darkness are not interupted by even the slightest amount of light. Maintain night temperatures in the low 60 degree Fahrenheit range. Continue watering and fertilizing at the reduced amount. During the periods of light rotate the plant to ensure it is getting light evenly.
November: Place the poinsettia in a sunny area with at least 6 hours of light a day, discontinuing the extended dark periods. Reduce water application and stop fertilizing.
Fun Facts About Poinsettias
Beyond the traditional red coloring, poinsettias also come in white, cream, pink, purple, orange, yellow, and varigated patterns.
The well recognized color portion actually isn't a flower, it is made up of bracts which are modified leaves.
California is the top Poinsettia producing state in the U.S.
When left to grow in their native environment, Poinsettias can grow up to 15 ft tall.
About the Author
I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
Expect the Unexpected: 3 Emergency Kits Every Home Needs
Unexpected emergencies happen all the time—earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes, power outages, etc. Stay prepared with quick access to basic supplies in any situation. Check out these 3 DIY Emergency Kits that will carry you through short, long-term,...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-10-226 min read02024 Giant Pumpkin Regatta: A Wave of Fun!
This year’s Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta was filled with new races and activities for all ages! What is a pumpkin regatta, you may ask? It is a captivating and entertaining race featuring giant pumpkin boats captained by individuals dressed to the nines i...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-10-212 min read0Composting Leaf Litter Into Black Gold
Written By Lara Wadsworth Leaves are everywhere in the fall. The first fall season of living in my home in West Michigan I was overwhelmed with just how many leaves needed to be raked. We have many large oak trees all around us, and they drop tons of l...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-10-218 min read0Illuminating the History of Jack-o-Lanterns
Written By Lara Wadsworth It’s mid-October, and your whole family, and maybe even some friends, are all packed into a kitchen with newspapers scattered everywhere. Dull knives, seeds, and pumpkin guts litter the table. It’s pumpkin carving season! It’s...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-10-214 min read0