Detailed Guide to the Latest Poinsettia Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Poinsettia is an evergreen shrub with smooth stems and branches and green young shoots. Its "flowers" are made up of brightly colored bracts that look like leaves, while the true flowers are a cluster of tiny yellow-green florets in the middle of the bracts, giving it good ornamental value. It is widely cultivated in most parts of China and is commonly seen in parks, botanical gardens and greenhouses. So how should poinsettia be cultivated? Let's find out together.

1. Soil selection

Poinsettia has certain requirements for soil. It requires fertile soil with good drainage, and the soil should also be pollution-free and odorless. The growing medium is usually based on peat, mixed with one or several materials such as perlite, vermiculite, ceramsite, wood chips, bark and river sand. After high-temperature sterilization, the pH value should be kept between 5.5-6.5.

2. Temperature and light

Poinsettia is a subtropical plant and likes to grow in sunlight. If its stems and leaves receive sufficient light during growth, this promotes their growth. To carry out normal flower bud differentiation, the light duration must be kept below 12 hours per day. During flower bud differentiation, it is relatively sensitive to red light; even short periods or weak red light can affect normal flower bud differentiation, so light exposure should be prevented during flower bud differentiation. The suitable growth temperature is 18-25 degrees. Below 16 degrees, growth will slow down; at 13 degrees, growth stops; it cannot tolerate subzero temperatures. Under windy conditions, frost damage can occur at 5 degrees, and above 29 degrees is extremely unfavorable for growth.

3. Watering and fertilizing

During the growth period, poinsettia is relatively sensitive to fertilizer and water. Uneven watering, whether too dry or too wet, can cause adverse reactions. Too much watering can cause leaves to droop and fall off in mild cases, or root rot in severe cases; insufficient watering can cause leaves to curl and wither. Watering should follow the principle of watering when the soil is dry and stopping when it is moist, according to plant size and climate changes. In summer, when temperatures are high and the plant grows vigorously, water demand is relatively large, so it should be watered once in the morning and once in the evening every day. Poinsettia likes fertilizer. Before growth, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main type. As flowering approaches, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be added to promote larger and more vivid bracts. However, each fertilization should not be too concentrated, and raw fertilizer must not be applied. On the morning of the second day after fertilizing, water once to dilute it.

4. Precautions

Poinsettia is relatively sensitive to moisture. During the growing period, as long as there is sufficient moisture, its stems and leaves can grow quickly. Conversely, if moisture is insufficient or there is drought, leaves will fall off, so controlling the moisture of poinsettia directly affects its growth and development. Poinsettia is a light-loving flower. It grows robustly under strong light. Except in summer, when shade and cooling are needed, it should have sufficient light in other seasons.

The above is an introduction to poinsettia cultivation methods and precautions. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.