The author of the text is Dr. Regina Dębicz
Poinsettia belongs to the familywilczomleczowychEuphorbiaceae, and its correct botanical name is the beautiful spurge Euphorbia pulcherrima. In nature, it creates 2 or even 5 m tall shrubs, with bare stems and only on their tops leavesandflowers , causing slack twigs to bend, do not resemble plantsgrown in pots
Yellow inconspicuous poinsettias flowers only 3-5 mm in diameter, gathered on the topsshoots into umbels The decorative part of the plant consists mainly of colorful leaves, called flowers, locateddirectly under the inflorescenceIn natural forms there areone red
Poinsettia - varieties and application
Dozens of varieties are cultivated that differhabit ,height ,color leavesandcolor of flowers(the most ornamental part of the plant). The offered varieties have red and pink flowers in various shades, as well assalmon ,creamand white, and evenspotted orcolored rimmed , e.g. pink with cream edging. Also, the leaves proper to some varieties are two-colored, e.g.silverywith a light border ordark greenwith irregularyellow stainalong thenerve main
There were also variants owrinkledorwavy in flowersand o flowers full These beautiful potted plants can enliven any room not only inmonths winterThere are many possibilities of their use; may beexposed individuallyin appropriately selected containers or in combination with othervarietiesand potted plantsPoinsettias can also be cut flowers.
Before we put them in a vase or put them in asponge floristic,we should put their ends infor a few seconds boiling waterortan over the fire . This will stop the flow ofjuice milk .
Conditions for successful home growing
Please note that poinsettia is a plantthermophilicandvery sensitiveon overcoolingIt would be especially dangerous for herseveral minutes cooling downat temperatures below 10°C, followed by contact withwarm air flat- it could cause leaf shedding.Therefore, during transport from the flower shop to the house, the plant should becarefully wrapped with paperIt should not be immediately unpack.
It is advisable to stay for a few hours in a not very warm place, e.g. onwindowsill window sill , and then completeunpackingandsetting in the roomwhere the temperature does not drop below 16°C . The optimal room temperature for poinsettias is 18-21°C. Colder temperatures may causeyellowingfollowed byfalling leavesThe same symptoms may occur if too dry air at home
The star Bethlehemalso needs a well-lit place, not exposed to drafts andviolentdrops temperature , e.g. when airing rooms. In special situations, however, the plant can be placed away from the window, but only for 2-3 days. Poinsettiasshould be watered regularly, preferably from the bottom, i.e. on the stands, and after a long moment, pour off the excess water so that the roots do not rot.Overdrying plantscan also cause leaf fall.Fertilizing plants at home is not recommended
Is poinsettia poisonous?
Contrary to popular belief, this plant is not particularly dangerous to he alth. Contact of milk juice contained inleavesandin flowerswithmembranes mucusmay cause irritation, but it is not dangerous and it is enough to irritate the areascarefully rinse with waterisoap.
Only particularly sensitive people may experiencesymptoms allergiconeffect contact juice milkyplants with skin, but then enough remedial measures will bewaterandsoap .
Discard or leave it until next holiday?
The first solution is better, because gettingattractive plantswith beautifully colored flowers isvery difficultand considering relativelylow pricesand every yearnew ones variations , it may turn out that our effort is unprofitable. However, it is worth checking yourskills gardeningandcare plant at least once next
How should we proceed then? We start in March withtrim shootsover 2-3 buds ( forms multi-shoot- bushy) or over 3-4 buds ( plants single-shoot ). It should be taken into account that there will not be a single leaf left on the plant. Then we moveplants to a cool(temp. 12-15°C), light or dark room for a month or longer without watering during this time.InMarchorApril we exaggerate plantsto a slightly larger pot withhumus substrateThen move to a bright, warm place (temp. 20-22°C) andabundantly waterFor the plant to develop well, trim it over 2-3 leaves after 4-6 leaves have developed on the stem. We must also remember to fertilize regularly (once every 7-10 days)with multi-componentfertilizer in the form of a 0.2-0.3% solution.
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Poinsecja Euphorbia pulcherrima (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
Poinsettia is aplant of the day shortwhich means it takes 10 hours to bloom day (that is, a 14-hour period in complete darkness) for about two months.Therefore, thatstar Bethlehembloomed andgood coloredinDecember , you have to cover it every day for a month withthick ,dark of paperorcardboard boxIt should be in complete darkness for 14 hours a day. So it requiressystematicandexact care , but the more we canwait satisfaction
