How to grow poinsettia? Cultivation methods and precautions
Poinsettia has very bright colors, with bright red flowers paired with fresh green young leaves, making it especially beautiful. Poinsettia is often used as a red decorative flower arrangement, and many people also like to grow poinsettia at home or in the courtyard. So how should such a beautiful and vivid poinsettia be grown? Let's find out together below!
How to grow poinsettia
Poinsettia likes warmth, moisture and sufficient light. It is not tolerant of low temperatures and is a typical short-day plant. Both direct strong light and insufficient light are unfavorable to its growth. It dislikes waterlogging; keeping the potting soil moist is enough. Short-day treatment can make it bloom earlier.
Its cold tolerance is relatively weak. In East China and North China, when cultivated in a greenhouse, it must be moved into the greenhouse before frost; otherwise, low temperatures can easily cause yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and so on. In winter, the room temperature cannot be lower than 5°C, and 16-18°C is suitable. It has strict requirements for water; if the soil is too wet, it easily causes root rot, leaf drop, and so on.
Poinsettia cultivation methods
1. Soil requirements
For potted poinsettia, clean soil is the first priority, and it must not have an off odor. Secondly, drainage must be good, it should contain a small amount of soluble salt, and it should contain the essential elements that can meet the growth needs of poinsettia. If digging soil directly from a community garden, make sure there are no impurities. The soil usually chosen is mainly peat soil, mixed with perlite, vermiculite, ceramsite, and wood chips. Before planting, spread the soil flat and expose it to the sun for 30 minutes.
2. Fertilization method
Poinsettia likes fertilizer. During the growing period, fertilize once every 7-10 days, and a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be used. After August until flowering, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days. As flowering approaches, increase the application of phosphorus fertilizer, which can ensure the flowers are large and colorful. But each fertilization must not be excessive, and raw fertilizer must not be applied. Usually fertilize in the evening, water the next morning, and in winter when light is lower, halve the frequency and concentration of fertilization.
3. Watering method
Poinsettia is relatively sensitive to water. Uneven watering, whether on the dry side or the wet side, will cause adverse reactions. Too much watering makes the leaves droop or even causes root rot; too little watering makes the leaves curl. Therefore, when watering poinsettia, water only when the soil is dry and stop when it is wet. In the early growth stage (small seedlings planted), the plant is not large, so water a little less; in summer when the temperature is high and the plant grows vigorously, water a little more, watering once in the morning and once in the evening each day, and according to weather conditions, spray water onto the ground. In spring and autumn, watering once every 1-2 days is enough
4. Light requirements
Poinsettia is a short-day plant. Flower buds begin to differentiate only when the light period is within 12 hours per day. To bloom normally, during flower bud differentiation it requires a dark period of more than 15 hours. During this period (October to March of the following year), light exposure should especially be prevented. Apart from that, for normal care, appropriate shading at noon in summer is enough.
Precautions for poinsettia
The key to cultivating poinsettia lies in watering. As long as the weather does not suddenly turn severe, the outdoor environment can fully meet the growth needs of poinsettia. But improper watering will affect the plant's growth and development, so keep the potting soil moist but not dry.
Poinsettia is a light-loving flower. Under strong light it can grow robustly, but it cannot endure the scorching sun at noon in summer. Proper shading will not hinder its growth.
How to keep poinsettia from growing tall
1. Water control
When the plant is still a small seedling, start controlling water. Water only 80% of the normal amount each day, which can suppress the stem's growth momentum. But in the growing season, especially at noon, water evaporation is relatively high, so spray water on the leaf surface frequently. Persist in this until flowering, and the plant can become short and sturdy.
2. Chemical treatment
If water control does not work, chemicals can be used as an aid. There are growth retardants on the market that can inhibit the plant from growing tall. During the peak growth season of poinsettia, spray once every 10-15 days until flowering; do not spray when it is flowering. Continue using it the following spring until the plant has basically taken shape.
3. Pinching
This is the simplest method of dwarfing. Generally, pinching can be done once in June-July, cutting off the top branches and leaves about 10 cm from the ground and keeping 3-4 nodes at the base. After the Beginning of Autumn in early August, a second pinching can be done, preferably two weeks after the Beginning of Autumn. For this pinching, keep 2-3 nodes on the side branches, which can promote flower branch differentiation.
The second pinching occurs right at the time of flowering. After pinching, only a few leaves can grow, and flower buds form at the branch tips, thereby inhibiting the plant's height. Therefore, the earlier the second pinching is done, the longer the flower branches will be; conversely, the shorter they will be.
As mentioned above, friends who like poinsettia can grow it at home! However, although poinsettia is beautiful and vivid, attention must still be paid to its care. If left unchecked, it can easily grow wildly and leggily, with messy branches and leaves, which greatly affects its appearance!