How often should you water a poinsettia? The correct watering method and overwintering tips

From its name alone, this variety sounds like a very high-end flower; after all, a name like "first-grade" is very rare, so a poinsettia that earned the name "first-grade" must be a very authentic red, so when planting such a plant, we also need to follow a very rigorous approach, so that we can live up to the name poinsettia.

How to water a poinsettia

1. Water a poinsettia according to how wet or dry the potting soil is

Throughout its growing period, the poinsettia needs a fairly large amount of water, so check more often and water frequently; if the growing medium is too dry, water a little more as appropriate. Usually, when 1/3 of the potting soil has dried out, it should be watered. Do not water too much at one time; water until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. But avoid "half-way watering," that is, the top of the potting soil wet and the bottom dry, which can easily cause the abnormal phenomenon of roots growing upward.

2. When to water a poinsettia

Poinsettia seedlings should preferably be watered in the evening, which can promote their growth.

For adult plants in the peak growing season, watering is generally chosen in the morning; in winter, it can be done around noon, when the water temperature is close to the air temperature and will not shock the plant. Try to avoid watering when the sunlight is strong.

3. Precautions for watering a poinsettia

If it has not been watered for a long time, causing the potting soil to become too dry and the plant to wilt, do not immediately water heavily. The usual practice is to place the flowerpot in a shaded place with high humidity, sprinkle a small amount of water, and as the plant gradually recovers its upright state, increase the amount of water.

After watering in the hot summer season, do not expose the plant to blazing sun; if it is suddenly exposed to blazing sun, the water in the soil evaporates faster, and the plant will show physiological water shortage, and no amount of water will be able to save it.

When watering, stick to watering small pots more and large pots less. Small pots have less soil and correspondingly less water-holding capacity, so they are prone to water shortage; when watering, stick to the principle of small amounts and many times. After a large pot is watered thoroughly in one go, it takes a longer time to dry out, especially when a large pot holds a small seedling.

Overwintering a poinsettia

1. Control the poinsettia's care temperature

When the outdoor temperature drops to 15°C, the poinsettia can be moved indoors, and at night an extra layer of protective film can be added. Keep the temperature at 15-25°C. If the temperature at home is relatively low, an air conditioner can be turned on to raise the temperature. If the temperature is too low, the leaves of the poinsettia will curl, and then fall off. When the temperature reaches below zero, the leaf color will soon produce white sap, and mold will breed. Be sure to protect the green leaves and avoid the phenomenon of "bare legs" (leaves at the lower part of the branches falling off).

2. A poinsettia should be brought indoors at the right time

It should not be brought indoors too early, otherwise it will cause leggy growth; in the north, late October, and in the south, around early November. After moving it indoors, ventilate and supplement light regularly, or place it in a well-ventilated spot; indoor humidity should not be too high, to avoid fungal infection.

3. Prevent cold damage to the poinsettia

Before winter arrives, carry out cold-hardening training: stop nitrogen fertilizer in autumn, increase light, and reduce shading. In addition, in early October, spray streptomycin once a week for three consecutive sprays, then spray once a month, which can effectively prevent pests and diseases.

4. Do not prune a poinsettia

After winter begins, it is exactly the flower bud differentiation period of the poinsettia; at this time do not prune, even if the branches and leaves are too dense, you must not, because a slight mistake will cut off the flower buds and affect flowering. In addition, phosphorus fertilizer can be added to promote flower bud differentiation.

Can a poinsettia be kept indoors

It is not recommended to keep it indoors. First, although it does not release toxic gases or the like, the plant itself is toxic; the white liquid it contains may irritate the skin and cause redness, swelling, or allergic reactions, and if its stems and leaves are eaten by mistake, it may even cause death in severe cases. Also, because its color is very vivid, it is relatively easy to attract children and pets to come close, making accidental ingestion very easy.

In addition, although this plant is a short-day species, it is very fond of light, and in a place with relatively weak light such as a bedroom it generally will not grow particularly well, so it is best not to place this plant in a bedroom.

Also, the processes of this plant's development and flowering require long-term watering, fertilizing, temperature control, and other treatments, which are not easy to carry out in a bedroom, and sometimes the bedroom will be made very messy.

Based on the reasons above, it can be said that this plant is not very suitable for placing in a bedroom; however, when we say it is not recommended, it does not mean it is completely impossible. If it is to be placed in a bedroom, some issues need attention.

What a poinsettia is

The poinsettia is also called ivory red, laolai jiao, Christmas flower, Christmas red, and gorilla wood; it is a plant of the genus Euphorbia in the family Euphorbiaceae.

The poinsettia originated in the Taxco region of Mexico, and is a red flower used for decoration at Christmas. The poinsettia's color is vivid and passionate, very suitable for a festive holiday atmosphere, and it is often used as a cut flower or potted plant for ornamental purposes. In recent years, many new varieties of poinsettia have also been cultivated, and the colors have become even more rich and varied. In addition, the poinsettia can be used medicinally, with effects of invigorating blood and resolving phlegm, and setting bones and reducing swelling.

The poinsettia is a flower that blooms at Christmas time, so it is also called the Christmas flower; the red of the poinsettia is a very true bright red, which is why there is the "first-grade" description. However, for a poinsettia to bloom normally, winter care is indispensable, so that we can smoothly see the poinsettia in full bloom at Christmas time.