Poinsettias can be loved simply for the season
Gardeners pride themselves on their role as the triage staff of the plant world.
From a tree damaged in an ice storm to a houseplant infested with bugs, there is no plant that a good gardener can’t (or shouldn’t) save, or so goes the conventional wisdom.
But sometimes it’s best simply to enjoy a specimen for its seasonal features and then — gasp! — toss it onto the compost pile.
Case in point: poinsettias. Although these traditional favorites bring low-maintenance color and cheer to the holiday season, “Peak Poinsettia” doesn’t last forever. My advice: cheerfully accept their finite life and free yourself from the intricate regimen of pruning, artificial darkness and secret incantations that are required to coax rebloom.
For the next couple of months, though, there are a few easy steps you can take to maximize your poinsettia experience.
First, consider the wide range of colors that are available. Although classic red is still the most popular, maybe your holiday color scheme calls for white, pink or bicolor. Some poinsettias even have bracts that have been dyed blue or purple or that have been sprinkled with glitter!
Natives of Mexico and Central America, poinsettias require warm temperatures, bright light and freedom from drafts.
When bringing one home from the store, protect it from cold by wrapping it in several layers of bags or a light blanket.
At home, an ideal spot would have temperatures in the 70s during the day and the 60s at night, with light from south-facing windows and no exterior doors or drafty heating ducts nearby.
As for watering, too little works better than too much.
Roots languishing in soggy potting medium will not be happy. An easy trick: If you lift the pot and it feels light, then go ahead and water.
Check to see whether the pot is wrapped in a layer of decorative, water
tight foil. If so, pour out any excess water or poke holes in the wrapper to allow drainage.
If you just can’t help yourself and are tempted to try for rebloom in 2021, take a look at “Caring for Your Poinsettia Year Round” by Leonard Perry of the University of Vermont (http://pss.uvm.edu /ppp/articles/poinsett.htm).
Although he carefully explains all of the required steps, Perry acknowledges that he personally doesn’t bother.
“Although it may seem a shame to discard potted holiday plants, such as poinsettias, if you prorate the cost of the plant over the long period you are able to enjoy it, the cost isn’t really much,” he writes.
“We often spend many times the cost of a potted plant for a dinner or a movie that can be enjoyed only briefly.”