POINSETTIAS… not just FOR CHRISTMAS?

Mick Lavelle, gardening expert and senior lecturer in horticulture at Writtle University College, offers seasonal advice In recent decades, the cheery red bracts of the ‘Christmas Poinsettia’ have become a seasonal staple. For many, though, this fleeting winter blaze of colour is a one-off event, with plants soon discarded. But with care – and a lot of patience – you can keep them all year and even get the bracts to colour again the following winter. BRIGHT AND LIGHT Start by keeping the plant healthy in your home. Poinsettias need bright, filtered light, and should be kept away from strong sun and draughts in a room that does not fall below 13°C (55°F). Even a short cold spell can damage them, so be careful when transporting poinsettias from the shop to your home. If the plant starts to wilt once you get it home, this could be because it was stored in cold conditions before you bought it. Buy plants from a reputable supplier, and avoid those on sale in open-air markets or displayed outside. Only water them when the surface of the compost begins to dry out, to avoid root rot. Regularly misting them helps prolong the flowering-season. LET DARKNESS FALL Many people successfully grow their poinsettias the following year, but fail to get the red bracts to reappear. To achieve this, the plant needs 14 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness every day from early October. Cover the plant with a large upturned box or container, or put it in a completely dark cupboard every night. Remember, however, that even a tiny chink of light, or removing the cover for just a few seconds, will ruin the process, and your efforts will be wasted. During its 10 hours of daylight, the plant needs good light and warmth. By December, the bracts will start to colour. The daily covering can now cease and the poinsettia can go back on display.