Poinsettia, also known as the star of Bethlehemor the beautiful spurge, belongs to the enormous Euphorbiaceae family, numbering about 2 thousand. species. Poinsettia, associated with Christmas, is more and more often used as a Christmas decoration in our homes. What to do to make the poinsettia bloom as long as possible? Learn the rules ofgrowing and caring for the Star of Bethlehemat home and seehow to winter a poinsettiafor next year!
Poinsettia, the Star of Bethlehem - the main decoration of the plant are the leaves growing just under the inflorescences, the so-called buds that change color wonderfully. The inflorescences themselves, located at the top of the shoot, are very inconspicuous. Photo depositphotos.com
Star of Bethlehem - description
This euphoria comes from Mexico. The plant was named after the first US ambassador to Mexico, J. R. Poinsett, who sent it to Washington in 1822. Since then, the popularity of this plant has continued to grow.
The nameStar of Bethlehem has become more popularThe plant owes this name to its top leaves, known as plumes, which change color wonderfully, contrasting with the lower green leaves. The flowers are usually red, but there are also varieties of Bethlehem with leaves that change color to orange, yellow or white, as well as bicolor. When we look at the plant from above, the beautifully colored top leaves look like a star. The samethe flowers of the Bethlehem star , located on the tops of the shoots, are inconspicuous and basically do not determine the ornamental value of the plant.
Good to knowThe star of Bethlehem is also grown as a cut flower. In a vase, it remains stable for 2-3 weeks, which is quite long.
The star of Bethlehem - cultivation and care
Poinsettia requires a lot of heat and does not tolerate frostThe plant should be bought on warm and windless days, because it is very sensitive to cold and drafts. For this reason, we should not buy plants sold outside, and in flower shops, we should avoid the plants standing at the front door. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the seller properly wraps our poinsettias - it should be tightly wrapped in paper.
In the apartmentthe star of Bethlehem requires a warm and bright position(but not in direct sunlight and not directly next to radiators or heaters), where the temperature is 18 - 21 ° C, and constantly humid , peaty substrate. Do not allow the plant to dry out, as a withered plant may not regain its former beauty.
Remember, however, thatexcess water may be more harmful than its shortageWhen the soil lasts a long time time is too wet the plant is easily attacked by fungal diseases of the star of Bethlehem and roots rot.Such a plant cannot be saved.
So it is best towater the poinsettias moderately, once every two days , without letting the water stay on the tray for too long. When the room is dry, spray a mist of water around it or use an air humidifier.
Poinsettia care at home also requires proper fertilizationDuring the growth period, fertilize the star of Bethlehem moderately, feeding it with fertilizer for flowering plants once every two weeks. At the same time, do not rush to fertilize plants bought before Christmas. Usually, the doses of fertilizers in the substrate are enough for the plant until mid-January.
How to winter the star of Bethlehem
Even the rightcare for the star of Bethlehemwill not prevent the plant from losing its leaves at the end of winter. It is natural because the plant goes into a state of rest during this period. Then its shoots should be shortened.Cut the bushy forms so that there are no more than 2-3 buds left on the side branches (they are always in the leaf axils). On the other hand, single-shoot forms should be trimmed over the 3rd or 4th bud. Do not worry that even a single leaf will not be left after cutting. They would all fall off anyway.
The discolouring leaves of poinsettias are most often red. Plants with orange, yellow, cream and multicolored leaves are also available.
After trimming, place the poinsettias for 4 to 6 weeks in a cool room with a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C, stop watering and fertilizing. The access of light in this period is of little importance.
For further poinsettia cultivationin March or April, the plant should be transplanted into fresh, fertile soil with the addition of 15% expanded clay pellets and coarse sand. The ideal pH of the soil for poinsettias is 5.8 to 6.5. Usually, it is enough to replace the soil, leaving the plant in the same pot, unless you want it to grow larger.Place the exaggerated star in a bright (but not full sun) and warm place, with a temperature of about 20 ° C. We water it abundantly to stimulate its growth. We start fertilization when the new shoots reach a length of several centimeters.
Pruning the Star of Bethlehem
Another important step inpoinsettia careis trimming the shoots during the summer months. In order for the plants not to be too bulky and have a nice, compact habit, producers treat them with growth inhibitors (so-called retardants). At home, we will keep the plant's habit compact by cutting all new stems to about 2 centimeters in July. We repeat the treatment after a month.
Note!When pruning the star of Bethlehem, be careful of the milky juice flowing from its shoots. Avoid contact with this juice as it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. If our hands get dirty, rinse them with lukewarm water so that the remnants of poinsettia juice do not remain on the skin.
What to do to make the star of Bethlehem bloom again?
To get a nice coloring of the top leaves at Christmas, from the second decade of Novemberthe star of Bethlehemshould be cover in such a way that it remains in complete darkness for about 4 - 6 weeks for 14 hours a day. The easiest way to cover it with cardboard.
"Remember, however, that the beautifully blooming and colored poinsettias that we buy in flower shops are grown in greenhouses, where they have ideal conditions. Don&39;t worry ifgetting your poinsettias to flower againfails. It is difficult at home and it is not without reason that most people treat the star of Bethlehem only as a one-time decoration for a few weeks.
Finally, it is worth adding thatwe can additionally decorate poinsettias for the holidaysFor this purpose, it is worth taking a look at the arrangements prepared by florists. Tradition lovers can create an interesting composition by placing a pot with poinsettias in a wooden or wicker casing and decorating it with natural accessories, such as: moss, fir twigs, small apples of paradise or cones.If you want to keep the composition in a modern style, it is worth reaching for candles, taffeta bows, ribbons, metallic and simple, smooth pots. "
