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Care for your holiday plants
Posted in: Melwood Garden Center
Your holiday flowers such as poinsettias may have looked beautiful a few weeks ago, but they may be looking a bit droopy now! So, how do you keep poinsettia plants looking good throughout the year? To find the answer, we asked Melwood's own expert, Sheila Gallagher, who is our Horticulture Programs manager. Here are Sheila's tips!
The poinsettia is named after the first U. S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett. The plant is actually native to southern Mexico, Poinsett introduced the plant to the U.S. in 1825.
With proper care, poinsettias can remain attractive with color through Valentine’s Day. Here are my tips:
Light: Keep the plant in a location where it can receive bright, indirect sunlight (preferably away from windows. Also, keep the plant away from heating vents and cold air or drafts.
Water: If the plant feels light when you pick it up, water it thoroughly. Let the water come through the bottom holes of the pot. BUt, do not let the plant sit in water. Make sure it drains thouroughly.
Care and reblooming: In May, cut the plant back to 4 inches. You should re-pot the plant if you see roots coming through the bottom of the pot. As the plant grows back, trim back the plant another 1 inch twice before the month of September. This will help to promote a full, bushy plant later in the year. Beginning in September, the plant should receive 10 hours of light and 14 hours of darkness. This will ensure that the leaves will color for you for the holidays!
With just a little bit of tender loving care and work, your poinsettias will bloom beautifully next year. And you'll be able to impress your friends and family with your "green thumb!"