Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettia

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Common Name: 

Poinsettia

Flower color: 

Foliage color: 

Red Green

Sun (From 0 to 5): 

Water (From 0 to 5): 

Maximum temperature: 

40°C

Minimum temperature: 

10°C

Maximum height: 

60 cm

Maximum width: 

35 cm

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Description

Deciduous shrubs and small trees native to Mexico. Commonly called the Christmas Flower, because of its green leaves and bright red bracts. They turn their signature bright red color at Christmas time due to photoperiodism, which is a process that is triggered once the plant is under 12 hours of daylight. That is why if you keep your Poinsettia around into spring time it will revert to a rangy green color. A far cry from your festive centerpiece during the holiday season.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Blooming

Popular holiday plants, because of their bright red bracts that are borne with the flowers in winter. The contrasting red bracts with green leaves make Poinsettias quite festive. Poinsettias flower best when exposed to 2 months of nights that are 15 hours long and uninterrupted. It is easier to control lighting with plants grown indoors. A regime such as this one should be followed: beginning the first week of October, place the potted plant in a dark closet at 5 pm. At 8 am the next morning, transfer the plant to a bright sunny location. Continue this routine until the end of November to ensure blooms for the holidays. Nature will act on plants grown outdoors. Make sure to cover the plants at night, though, if there is any artifical light present.For more detail, read the following article: Poinsettia Care.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Growth

Deciduous shrubs. Poinsettias grow best in areas with minimal air currents, such as wind or air vents. Bright light will allow Poinsettias to reach their full heigh potential which is 15'.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Planting

Dig a hole one foot wider and about as deep as the plant's rootball. Do not plant too deep. Roots should be visible at the surface of the soil and the top of the rootball should be even with the surrounding soil. In clay soil, the rootball should be slightly higher.Remove plants from their containers. Place plants in hole. Loosen roots by making four or five slashes, about one-inch deep vertically down the rootball with a knife. Then tease the roots out so they will grow into the surrounding soil. Be careful not to knock too much soil from the rootball.Backfill with a mix of existing soil and 1/2 soil amendment thoroughly mixed. In sandy porous soils, use sphagnum (Canadian) peat moss. In dense clay or poorly drained soils, use soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark).Water thoroughly. Then only water when the soil is dry to the touch about 1 1/2 inches or knuckle deep. Check regularly and only water when necessary.To give your new plant a head start, use a very mild solution of water soluble root-stimulating fertilizer which is high in phosphorous and potassium.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Pest

Pests that can cause serious problems for Poinsettias include nematodes, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Bacterial and fungal diseases are also quite common.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Interesting facts

Poinsettias are popular holiday plants. They are so well liked in the United States, that December 12th is considered National Poinsettia day.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Soil and irrigation

For best growth, keep the soil or potting mix moist, not wet.

Euphorbia pulcherrima - Poinsettia - Photos