Poinsettia (Christmas star): home care, description, signs

Poinsettia (Poinsettia) or beautiful spurge is an evergreen shrub of the Euphorbiaceae family, growing in natural conditions up to 3 meters high.
It has lanceolate green leaves 12-15 cm long, as well as miniature, rosette-shaped inflorescences with milky, scarlet, pink or variegated bracts. The homeland of poinsettia is the subtropics of Mexico and Central America. In indoor conditions, the flower is cultivated as a perennial ornamental plant with a size of no more than 50 cm. In a favorable environment, it is characterized by highly intensive growth - the increase in length is about 30-40 cm before flowering.

Be sure to read in detail about pedilanthus and milkweed.

High growth rate, increase in length is about 30-40 cm before flowering.

Flowering begins in mid-autumn and ends in late spring.

Average difficulty of growing.

Perennial.

Description of poinsettia

In the wild, it is a shrub that reaches 3 meters in height. Belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, their main distinguishing feature is the release of poisonous milky juice when damaged. In the past, the poisonous milk was used for medicinal purposes and to make some medicines, and the bright leaves were used for dyeing fabrics and for cosmetic purposes! This flower is an evergreen!

Poinsettia

Growing at home, this small bush, about 40 cm high, is a fluffy cap of rich green leaves, jagged at the edges. You can also find a different leaf color - two-color. In this case, the rich green leaves are yellowed towards the edges, as if dried out, but this color does not spoil the appearance at all.

At the top of the cap, yellow rosettes are formed, which are surrounded by red leaves - these are the so-called flowers!

Domestic representatives are usually one-year-old, maximum two-year-old.

The flowering period is very short, from 2 to 6 weeks, falls during the cold period of time, the Christmas holidays! By the end of flowering, the plant sheds all its leaves and becomes completely naked; from this moment it goes into a state of hibernation, but this does not mean that it has died. It is likely that by next winter it will again delight you with its enchanting beauty!

In the wild, a common poinsettia that has a bright fiery color. But time does not stand still and breeders have developed new varieties with different shades.

There are both monochromatic and variegated representatives.

Description of the red Poinsettia flower

Poinsettia cannot be called a completely unpretentious plant - this beauty has a capricious and uncooperative character, but you can find an approach to it if you create the necessary conditions. The bright leaves (mostly red) that appear on the tops of the stems of this plant from the spurge family are mistakenly considered by many to be flowers, although poinsettia blooms rather inconspicuously.

The Christmas star, as poinsettia is popularly called, is perceived by some as a temporary guest on the windowsill, but not because this plant dies soon after purchase, but because the poinsettia no longer wants to “bloom” with its unusual colorful leaves next season. And this happens due to non-compliance with the light regime, or due to the lack of a rest period. So, in order for this Mexican beauty to delight you with her elegant appearance for a long time, try to “make friends” with her, and she will surely reciprocate your feelings.

At the moment, on the shelves of flower shops you can find poinsettia not only with red leaves, but also with pink and yellow ones - the care for different varieties is no different, so choose the color to your liking. Also, often, out of a desire to give the plant as much of a “New Year’s” look as possible, it is sprinkled with glitter, and this leads to the fact that the purchased flower quickly loses its decorative effect due to spots appearing on the leaves.

Varieties and varieties

Variegated

Sonora Marble

A creamy beauty with an ivory hue interspersed with a pink tint in the middle.

Winter Blush Marble

Surprising with the non-standard color scheme of the leaves. The crown has a soft pink color with a milky edging, surrounded by grass-colored leaves.

Strawberry and cream

Unrealistically beautiful “marble” look. An interweaving of soft white spots with a coral tint of foliage.

Da Vinci

An amazing view, striking in its beauty. Non-standard color scheme in the style of “pink flamingo”.

Monet Twilight

The owner of cream flowers with a blurred pink tint, as if stained with scarlet paint.

Tapestry

A chic variety, the characteristic feature of which is the heart-shaped leaves of a deep scarlet color.

Yellow and orange representatives

Lemon snow

The owner of a pale lemon color.

Cinnamon star

Representatives of this variety have tiered leaf color. An amazing combination of orange color, smoothly turning into rich yellow, which turns into leaves with green veins. A distinctive feature of this species is its sharp, jagged leaves.

Orange Poincettias

The elongated leaves of this variety have a rich orange color.

Yellow Poincettias

Representatives of this species have all shades of pistachio color.

Euphorbia pulcherrima

The owner of a fiery hue. The color scheme of the leaves smoothly transitions from rich yellow to fiery orange.

Holders of white leaves

White Star

The name itself speaks for itself! Elongated, pointed leaves of pearl-beige color, collected in a bouquet, look like huge stars!

Polar Bear

Representatives of this species resemble a piece of iceberg in their color. The core of the flower has a yellow tint with a slight green tint.

Arctic White

Cool white flowers against the backdrop of rich green leaves will not leave anyone indifferent.

All shades of red

Tapestry

An amazing variety that fascinates with its beauty. The flowers are a rich fiery scarlet color, and the leaves that grow along the shoot are two-colored, with a yellow coating on the edges.

Carousel Red

A very unusual variety! A distinctive feature of which is the openwork edges of the inflorescence of a rich red color, which distinguishes it from the leaves themselves.

Carousel Dark Red

Very similar to the previous species, especially in the structure and shape of the flower, only the shade is dark scarlet.

Premium Red

This is a classic among all varieties. It is a lush bright red inflorescence in the middle of the crown. The core is standard - yellowish-green.

Cortez Burgundy

A representative of a rich burgundy shade with a traditional heart-shaped petal shape.

Other varieties

Blue poinsettia

This view has mesmerizing beauty! The flowers are electric blue and are combined with rich green leaves, which are painted with uneven dark veins.

Eckespoint Lilo

A very non-standard color scheme for poinsettias. Purple flowers with a lilac sheen.

Polly Pink

The brightest representative of pink! The leaves are deep pink.

Prestige Maroon

Queen among poinsettias! A rich, noble burgundy wine shade combined with dark emerald leaves gives this variety a regal appearance.

Poinsettia varieties

The modern era of poinsettia flower cultivation began with the appearance of seedlings of the Oak Leaf variety.

Currently, dozens of varietal forms are grown commercially, but the varieties of red poinsettia most often seen on sale here are red.

“Winter Rose” is one of the first “double” varieties developed with an amazing spherical shape of inflorescences. Available in red, pink, beige and two-tone options.

'Premium Miro' is a tall bush with lush, ruffled pink and white bracts.

"Peppermint Ruffles." This low and compact variety with leaves in all shades of orange, yellow and pink is a significant improvement on the older form and was introduced to the public in 2017. Belongs to the “Autumn Leaves” varietal group.

'Gold Rush' is another fall variety with lemon yellow bracts.

'Cinnamon Star' This new variety comes in orange-peach and pink foliage.

'Christmas Beauty North Pole' with bright golden lemon leaves.

"Jingle Bell Rock" - bright red leaves around the flowers seem to be strewn with splashes of white spots and strokes.

"Tapestry" - red bracts contrast with the decorative lower leaves - they are green with a bright yellow border along the edges.

How to choose the right flower when buying

Short daylight hours and lack of sunlight force indoor plants to remain dormant. Poinsettia, a tropical shrub, has retained the characteristic flowering characteristic of its wild relatives in the winter months, appearing in our stores in late autumn, brightening up these gloomy days with exotic splendor.

You can buy a plant only in specialized stores, where the air temperature corresponds to the conditions for keeping this particular species; it must be above 15 degrees, otherwise there is a risk of getting a flower with frostbitten roots, which will eventually become a non-viable plant.

You need to pay attention to some details:

Lack of packaging (the flower must be clearly visible).
The potting substrate is moderately moist (excessively wet or dry - evidence of improper care, which can affect the life cycle of the Christmas star).
Stems - evenly colored, without black or brown spots, firmly rooted with the soil; leaves are present on all sides of the stems, bright green in color, without signs of wilting, disease, or insect damage.
The bracts are clean, not pollinated by pollen (signs of yellowness and the presence of pollen indicate long-lasting flowering).
The flowers should be in greenish-yellow buds (the blossoming inflorescences will soon finish flowering).

If the Christmas star corresponds to what is described, you can safely buy; if there are any discrepancies, it is better to refrain and visit another store, otherwise the purchase will turn into a tragedy. Open markets and unheated pavilions do not correspond to the maintenance of potted flowers.

Reference! Despite poinsettia belonging to the poisonous genus of euphorbia, there is no danger to domestic animals. People allergic to latex should be careful; the milky sap of the plant causes skin irritation.

How to buy a good poinsettia

When choosing a poinsettia in the store, first of all, pay attention to its leaves - they should be clean, green and strong, and feel thick to the touch. No less important are the bracts, which should be free of any damage or stains. Do not buy a poinsettia that is located close to the entrance to the store, because it has probably been exposed to temperature changes many times and, most likely, has weakened as a result.

In order for the plant to bloom as long as possible , try to choose specimens that have yellowish, unopened buds in the center of the inflorescence. It doesn’t hurt to check the soil, which will show how properly the flower was cared for; make sure it is not too wet and not too dry.

Since the Christmas poinsettia flower is very sensitive to low temperatures, when transporting it home, it must be protected from the cold, for example, by wrapping the plant in paper or placing it in a large bag. When you bring a flower home, do not unpack it right away so that it does not suffer from strong temperature changes.

Do I need to move it to another pot after purchase?

There is no need to go through this procedure after purchase. But if you see that the plant is cramped in its previous pot, immediately transplant it into a new one. In places of sale, flowers are often planted in small pots to save space, so the soil is quickly depleted, and the roots lack not only space, but also nutrition.

Another important point is that in the store indoor flowers are sold in pots with transport soil. It is very light, making plants easy to transport. However, flowers do not feel very comfortable in it. This is another reason why purchased flowers need to be replanted.

Flowering and pruning of the plant

The Christmas star flower got its name because of its absolutely wonderful inflorescence.

, which in its entirety resembles a chic decoration. But the plant will give such flowers only if it is properly cared for.

Starting in October, the plant's daylight hours are reduced to 10 hours.

To do this, it is placed in a box or covered with a dark cloth on top.

With the onset of winter, the bush must be placed in a warm place

and provide it with bright lighting, as well as provide the plant with abundant watering.

Your Christmas Star

may bloom by the end of December, provided that you have fulfilled all the requirements correctly. You will be able to enjoy amazing beautiful flowers until spring.

Stages of flower transplantation

Pick up a new pot. It should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. There is no need to take containers that are too large - water stagnates in them, which often leads to rotting of the roots.
Select the soil mixture based on the plant variety.
Water the plant a day before you plan to transplant it. If you can’t do it in a day, do it at least an hour in advance.
Make a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. You can use broken bricks or shards. Place a layer of expanded clay on top. Add sand and a 1-2 cm layer of fresh soil.
Take the flower pot in your hands, turn it over and lightly tap it on the table, gently holding the plant. If this is problematic, separate the roots from the walls using a sharp knife.
If there are old shards at the bottom, remove them. Leave some of the soil on the roots so as not to damage them. If some roots are rotten or damaged, cut them off.
Place the flower on a layer of soil in a new pot, carefully fill the remaining space with fresh soil. To ensure that there are no voids left, after adding another layer of soil, tap the edge of the pot on the table. The stem should be located in the middle.
Press the soil around the roots with your fingers. Water the plants generously and move them to a sheltered place for a couple of weeks. Spray the leaves every day. After the specified time, the flower can be placed in its original place and cared for as usual.

Transfer

Poinsettia is transplanted annually in the spring, immediately after awakening. But the volume of the pot is increased as the root system develops - usually once every 2 years. But even if a larger pot is not needed, it is better to change the old one or rinse it thoroughly to remove salts and harmful microorganisms that have accumulated on the walls over the year.

Choosing the right pot and soil

We choose a pot for poinsettia so that there is 5-7 cm between the sides and the bush; We give preference to deep containers. The soil for poinsettias should be nutritious, moisture-absorbing and loose. A mixture of turf, leaf soil, peat and sand (3:3:1:1) is ideal. Before use, be sure to “boil” the earth for an hour: it is slightly moistened and placed on the fire in a sealed container.

This procedure is guaranteed to destroy all pests, including nematodes. In a dry state, only sand can be subjected to heat treatment - the remaining components become unsuitable for plants for several months. Leaf and turf soil cannot be replaced with black soil - it is too heavy for indoor flowers. If you do not have the opportunity to “dig up” the necessary components, the best solution is to purchase a ready-made mixture in specialized stores.

Step-by-step transplant process

To painlessly transplant a Christmas star, follow the algorithm:

The transplant is carried out as soon as the buds swell and the first shoots begin to hatch. An overgrown plant tolerates the procedure worse and may die.
The bush is removed from the old container; the roots are partially freed from the soil and examined for damaged areas. When found, they are cut out with a sharp, non-kitchen knife.
Drainage and a little fresh soil are poured into the prepared container so that after transferring the shoots do not have to be buried.
The earthen ball is installed, earth is added to the sides.

After transplantation, the bush is watered abundantly and placed in a room with a temperature of at least 20 degrees; The flower begins to be sprayed daily. Feeding can be given after 2 weeks.

Is poinsettia poisonous or not?

Poinsettia tissue contains poisonous white milky juice - as does all other members of the family. This juice contains euphorbic acid, euphorbine and cyanogenic compounds, which can painfully burn the skin, cause inflammation, and if it gets into the eyes, even temporarily blind a person.

Poisonous juices are found in the roots, leaves and stems.

It is also worth knowing that the flowering leaves that delight us (those that are so beautifully colored red) owe their color to dyes belonging to anthocyanins.

Poinsettia

All this sounds menacing. And so much so that some believe that the name of the plant comes from the English. the word poison, meaning "poison". But this is just complete nonsense! The name "poinsettia" comes from the Poinsett surname of a man named Joel Roberts, who brought the Star of Bethlehem from Mexico to the United States.

In practice, as it turns out, information about the strong toxic effect and toxicity of poinsettia is greatly exaggerated.

Although Star of Bethlehem may cause gastrointestinal distress, nausea, and vomiting after ingestion, in practice this occurs in less than 10% of human consumption of the plant. The discomfort is usually very mild and rare.

However, if a poinsettia flower appears in the house, it should be installed in a place inaccessible to small children, and when caring for the plant, avoid direct contact with juices that may leak, for example, when a branch is broken. But there is no need to exaggerate. A huge number of indoor plants grown in our apartments can be much more poisonous than the Star of Bethlehem.

History of poinsettia

Poinsettia is a flower native to Mexico. Only in this country does it grow in natural conditions. Local residents value this plant very much, and not only for its beautiful appearance. For a long time, its white juice was used to treat fever, reduce warts, relieve toothache and pain from rheumatism, and a natural dye was made from its red bracts, which was used to dye fabrics.

Poinsettia became well known thanks to the first American ambassador to Mexico, Poinsett, who was a good botanist. Captivated by the unusual plant, he sent several samples to his own greenhouses and subsequently began to propagate it. Gradually, poinsettia, by the way, named after its discoverer, gained great popularity and became a traditional Christmas flower, first in America, and then in Europe.

How to care (briefly)

Bloom. This culture blooms on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Illumination. Bright but diffused light is required (windows facing east or west).
Temperature. During active growth and development - from 18 to 25 degrees, during the flowering period - from 14 to 16 degrees, during dormancy - from 12 to 14 degrees.
Watering. In the summer, the bushes are watered abundantly and systematically, and in the winter, the soil should be slightly moist.
Air humidity. During the flowering period, the bushes need to be systematically moistened with lukewarm water from a sprayer.
Fertilizer. Feed the plant in spring, summer and autumn 2 times a month with complex mineral fertilizer. When the bushes bloom, you will need a fertilizer containing a large amount of potassium.
Trimming. Twice a year: in April the bush is shortened to 15 centimeters, and after replanting the plant is shaped.
Rest period. In March or April for 6-7 weeks.
Transfer. Regularly once a year at the end of the rest period.

How to make red poinsettia bloom Caring for poinsettia after flowering

In order for your poinsettia to bloom many times over, you just need to know the characteristics of the plant’s life cycle in natural conditions. By simulating periods of dormancy and active growth, you can easily achieve beautiful flowering.

Do the following:

Water with less water as the poinsettia finishes blooming. Shedding of leaves after flowering is normal, do not be alarmed.
When only bare branches remain, cut off all the tops. Most of the plant should be cut to a height of up to 10 centimeters;
After pruning, replanting is carried out without damaging the roots, together with an old lump of earth.
In summer, a period of rest begins; the poinsettia must rest and gain strength before flowering in December. It is placed in a dark, cool place.
At the end of the dormant period of 2-3 months, we place the poinsettia in a bright place and increase watering.
Feed the Christmas star when active leaf growth begins.
It is better to remove numerous shoots, leaving only a few of the strongest ones. By the way, cut shoots can also be easily rooted.
A responsible time begins in September. You will get beautiful flowers for Christmas if the necessary conditions are met. Buds are formed in autumn and flowers appear in winter. Many gardeners have mixed feelings; they don’t know what to do to make the flower bloom. In autumn, daylight hours remain long, but poinsettias need short ones. She should sleep 14 hours, stay awake 10 hours in bright light. Move it to a dark closet or cover it with a cover after 10 hours of exposure to light. Water moderately, without excess moisture.
Two months of such conditions will ensure further development of the flower. Bright bracts will bloom and flowers will appear after a while.

By fulfilling the conditions listed above, you will receive a blooming poinsettia for the New Year and Christmas holidays.

Caring for poinsettia at home

It is recommended to grow beautiful euphorbia on windows of eastern or western orientation. It should be borne in mind that such a flower reacts extremely negatively to drafts and direct sunlight. During active growth of the bush, the temperature in the room should be from 18 to 25 degrees, during the flowering period - from 14 to 16 degrees, and during dormancy - from 12 to 14 degrees.

Temperature

Exotic indoor poinsettia requires special conditions for normal growth and beautiful flowering. Taking care of her in a city apartment is quite difficult. The plant loves humidity and is very picky about temperature conditions. The ideal temperature for a Christmas flower is 12-25˚C. He does not like drafts and cold. Also has a negative attitude towards summer heat.

It is necessary to strictly ensure that poinsettia leaves do not touch the cold glass of the window in winter. And a heating radiator so that the air around it does not dry out.

Lighting

The flower does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight, preferring bright but diffused light. If poinsettia has settled in your house, then try to place it in the illuminated areas of the loggia or garden in the summer, but at the same time avoid direct sunlight on the leaves.

If this is not possible, provide her with fresh air through ventilation, but without drafts. In order for a plant to bloom for the New Year, it requires a special light regime. The flower should be exposed to light no more than 13 hours a day, so the bush should be covered with a dark bag at dusk; light should not penetrate its surface. You can put it in a dark room and put it back in its original place only in the morning.

Such actions are necessary within 2 months; the “shortened day” tactic helps the plant form inflorescence buds and bloom before the New Year. After bright bracts have appeared, you can switch to normal light mode.

Lighting for poinsettias

Watering

Poinsettia should be watered regularly in spring-summer-autumn with soft, settled water at room temperature. It is necessary that the water moistens the entire earthen lump in the pot. Drain excess water from the pan about twenty minutes after watering.

Do the next watering no earlier than the top layer of soil from the previous watering has dried out. But do not allow the soil in the pot to dry out completely - you will lose all the leaves. If you see that the leaves of your poinsettia begin to wilt between waterings, immediately water it with a small amount of water.

And then water as usual, at the appropriate time - perhaps the break between waterings was too long, or the room was too hot and dry. In summer, it is better to water the flower more often, but moderately, so that the water does not linger in the soil for a long time. During flowering, in winter, it is important to water the poinsettia with warm water, the temperature of which is a couple of degrees higher than the air temperature in the room. Otherwise, the flower may shed its beautiful leaves.

Top dressing

Feeding the Christmas star is usually done in the spring, when the plant has finished its dormant period or about a month after you transplanted it into new soil. Feed the flower once every three weeks. It is best to use granular or complex liquid fertilizers. Fertilizers should be applied until autumn.

At the beginning of autumn, when the flower is preparing to bloom, phosphorus and potassium salts should be added. It must be remembered that the Christmas star should not be fed with fertilizers during flowering and for some time after it, as well as during the dormant period of the flower.

Growing poinsettia

As a rule, beautiful euphorbia is purchased in the store during flowering and presented as a gift for Christmas. Most often, when the bush fades, it dies, but if it is provided with proper care, such a plant will become a perennial, and it will decorate your home every time at Christmas. Tips for growing poinsettias:

After the foliage begins to fly around, it is necessary to reduce watering of this plant, and the substrate should be almost dry. You also need to stop adding fertilizer to the soil mixture and shorten the shoots to 15 centimeters from the ground level. Then the container with the flower is placed in a cool and dark place, where it should remain until May.
With the onset of May, the poinsettia will need to be stimulated to begin growing, and it should be placed in a sunny place. Then you should start watering and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. After the bush begins to grow, it will need to be replanted into a fresh substrate.
In the first days of October, plants need to be put away at night in a box that does not allow light to pass through. Or the pot can be placed in a closet, and it must be there for at least 14 hours a day. This helps stimulate the formation of buds on the bush.
From the beginning of the opening of the bracts, the bushes need to be provided with regular care.

When growing beautiful milkweed, you should remember that the milky juice that it secretes is poisonous. The juice can cause the most serious harm to the eyes if it gets into them. There have been cases when the juice of this plant caused an allergic reaction. If it gets into the gastrointestinal tract, it will cause vomiting and intestinal upset. In this regard, it is necessary to wear protective gloves when working with flowers.

All members of the Euphorbia family are poisonous. However, caring for such plants varies greatly depending on the species.

Christmas star / poinsettia care at home

Poinsettia in autumn

Proper care of the wonderful flower called the Christmas star in the fall is important if you want to see it bloom just in time for the merry New Year holidays.

The difficulty is that poinsettia under natural conditions begins to bloom after the time of year with the shortest daylight hours. It lasts for about two months.

The plant should be illuminated 9-10 hours a day.

At the end of September, to simulate such conditions, the pot is placed in a non-residential building, where artificial light is not turned on in the evening and in the morning. If there is no such place in the apartment, then the flower will have to be hidden under an opaque box or film from evening until morning.

During this period, the plant should be watered regularly, as soon as the soil in the pot is half dry. Once every 7-10 days the plant needs to be fed with a composition for flowering plants.

How does a houseplant bloom?

The spectacular and colorful appearance of red poinsettia is provided not by the flowers (they are quite small and inconspicuous), but by the bracts in which they are located. The bracts begin to turn red during flowering, acquiring a rich red hue around New Year's Eve.

What to do if it doesn't bloom?

To stimulate flowering, it is necessary to create a certain light regime for the plant from mid-October to December, namely, reduce the length of daylight hours.

To do this, from early evening until morning, we put the flower in a completely dark room (or cover it with a box). After about 10 weeks, buds form and this colorful plant begins to bloom.

The most beautiful euphorbia is not the easiest flower to care for, but the effort is worth it. Blooming red poinsettia will become a real interior decoration and will delight you with its appearance in the cold winter months.

Poinsettia in winter

In the first ten days of December, when your flower has already lived for two months with shortened daylight hours, you can stop tormenting it. Poinsettia is placed on a windowsill in a bright, warm room.

After some time, provided that you have taken proper and regular care of the amazingly beautiful Christmas star, buds and then flowers will appear on the green branches.

An indoor poinsettia flower is often given as a gift during the winter months on the occasion of a birthday or New Year. Therefore, winter is the season when the plant most often first appears in the house. Start caring for your Christmas star correctly from the first days so that you don’t have to throw it away at the end of the holidays.

Try not to open a window or window in the place where the poinsettia is located. This tropical beauty will not survive the cold. She is also afraid of drafts.

Water the plant deeply and regularly. But, make sure that liquid does not accumulate in the pan.

An important condition for proper care of the delicate and capricious Christmas star is air humidity. Spray it 2 times a day with clean warm water or install a humidifier in the room.

Continue feeding with flowering fertilizer. Has a newly purchased flower appeared in the house? Apply fertilizer no earlier than every month.

In flower shops, to maintain the presentation of plants, they are sometimes fed too intensively.

Plant dangers

Like all euphorbia plants, poinsettia is considered a rather poisonous plant. For ordinary people, its smell is not dangerous, but for those with allergies it can cause some inconvenience. Therefore, if there are such household members, it is better to move the flower to another room or ventilate the room more often.

When caring for milkweed, it is recommended to wear protective gloves or wash your hands thoroughly with soap after finishing work. The plant should be protected from small children and pets: milkweed juice can cause dermatitis and is dangerous if swallowed.

If you follow simple rules, poinsettia will become no more harmful than ordinary indoor plants.

Poinsettia in spring

With the onset of warm spring days, poinsettia ends its flowering. The bracts are falling and the leaves are starting to fall. This means that the plant is entering a dormant phase.

Trim the Christmas star flower. It is better to leave shoots only 7-10 centimeters high in the pots. Place it in a shaded area. It is desirable that during the resting phase the air temperature in the room should be within 12-15˚C.

Water infrequently. It is necessary to allow the earthen coma to dry out completely between waterings.

Such conditions for caring for poinsettia flowers must be observed for one and a half to two months.

Beautiful and varied poinsettia: types of flower

Did you know that the symbol of the New Year and Christmas is not only the New Year tree and tangerines? These also include the decorative indoor plant poinsettia! In addition to this name, you may have heard of the following: “Star of Bethlehem”, “beautiful spurge”, “Christmas star”, “beautiful poinsettia”, and all these names unite one tropical plant.

The names, which are so different in content, come from their appearance. Bright leaves, collected on the top of the head in the shape of a star, at first glance resemble flowers, which are not flowers. The leaves take on color during the Christmas season. When some parts of the plant are damaged, milky juice is released. And the final name, poinsettia, was given to the flower in honor of the botanist who discovered it and subsequently began to breed it.

Poinsettia in summer

From the end of May, the indoor poinsettia flower enters the stage of active growth. At the beginning of this period, the plant can be replanted.

Caring for a flower with such a beautiful name - Christmas star - implies:

good lighting;
moderate watering;
temperature range 15-25˚С;
fertilizing with humus or universal fertilizer.

With the onset of stable heat, the plant can be taken out to the balcony (garden).

As soon as the active growth of shoots begins, you need to begin to form a bush. Cut poinsettia branches can be used for propagation by cuttings.

Why do poinsettia leaves fall off?

There are several reasons that cause poinsettia leaves to wilt, turn yellow, or fall off. Most often, the problem lies in improper care of the most beautiful poinsettia:

a draft and a sharp drop in temperature, even a few minutes of cold cause leaf fall;
due to violation of the watering regime, the poinsettia withers and begins to shed its leaves;
very low air humidity;
the cause of drying and falling leaves may be a deficiency of nutrients;
lack of lighting during the period of active growth for several weeks;
diseases or pests;
The Christmas flower is very sensitive to smoke and gas from kitchen stoves, and several days in such a room cause the poinsettia to turn yellow and the leaves to fall off.

Read on the topic: Diseases of indoor flowers with photos

We will describe several of the most common diseases that affect indoor poinsettia.

Gray mold. Causes brownish-gray spots to appear on bracts, stems and leaves. The fungus easily penetrates tissues damaged in any way, including those caused by sunburn.

A fallen infected leaf that left a cutting with clearly visible gray mold

Areas affected by the disease die, and as it spreads, the entire plant dries out. The disease in its early stages is treated with fungicidal drugs.

Root and stem rot can affect both the roots and the basal region of the stems. Infected roots and the base of shoots become brown, soft, and saturated with water. Note that lesions form around the stem at the soil line.

Areas of rot around the stem

Foliar root rot symptoms include: chlorosis, necrosis, wilting and leaf drop. Occasionally, an aerial mycelium appears at the base of the bush, similar to a cobweb.

The most common early symptom is growth retardation. Root rot infections can be caused by damaged stems or excess moisture in the soil.

Poinsettia withers and turns yellow due to rot in the roots

Late blight . It manifests itself as wilting and yellowing of poinsettia - bracts and foliage due to damage to the trunk caused by infection.

The disease is characterized by brown-black lesions that can spread rapidly from stems to petioles, causing the bracts to wilt.

Damage to stems and leaves by late blight

Leaf necrosis spots are papery and dry in texture, starting out grayish-brown before turning brownish-black. The fungicides metalaxil and mefenoxam are very effective in combating this disease.

Another problem when caring for poinsettia at home is that if the air humidity is too low, the flower is affected by spider mites. You can destroy it by spraying and washing the underside of the leaves with special systemic insecticides.

Author: Anna Iancu Updated: February 17, 2022

Blooming in winter
Decorative foliage
Beautifully flowering
Poisonous

Propagation of poinsettia by cuttings

Most often, flower growers use the possibility of vegetative propagation. Best of all, cuttings 10 to 15 cm long, obtained after trimming the poinsettia, take root at home in spring and early summer.

Since the plant secretes milky sap, which interferes not only with the drying of the cut, but also with root formation, before planting pieces of stems in the ground:

their lower leaves are cut off;
The cut sites are immersed in water for several minutes;
then blot with a paper napkin;
The tips of the stems are sprinkled with a root formation stimulator.

Now the cuttings intended for poinsettia propagation are ready for planting. As a substrate, you can use a light, breathable mixture of washed sand and perlite. The root system of young plants is not too large, so first and before transplanting the poinsettia to a permanent place of residence, you can use very small pots or cups with a capacity of up to 250 ml.

A drainage hole is made at the bottom of the container. The cuttings are immersed in the soil to a depth of 3 cm, this is enough. The seedlings are placed in an indoor greenhouse.

Propagation of poinsettia by cuttings

Next, young poinsettias need:

watering as needed;
bright, but not direct light;
constant temperature within 16–22 °C;
regular ventilation.

This care is enough for the tops of the stems to sprout roots in 45–60 days and be ready to be transferred to permanent pots. To transplant poinsettias, take containers with a diameter of 7–10 cm, at the bottom of which a layer of drainage is made, and then filled with a substrate based on leaf and turf soil with the inclusion of a small amount of peat, cleared of foreign inclusions, and sand.

With the beginning of active growth, the top of the seedling is removed. This type of pruning of poinsettia at home allows you to immediately get a branching bush with several bright inflorescences.

Poinsettias that have already bloomed in the previous season are replanted in a similar manner. The procedure is carried out in the second half of spring after pruning the houseplant.

The simplest method of propagation is from cuttings

In its natural environment, the Christmas star reproduces by seeds that are carried by the wind. At home, this growing method is usually not practiced for several reasons:

the seeds are very small and difficult to work with;
most planting material does not germinate;
As a rule, it is not possible to collect seeds from your plant, since sterile hybrids are most often used for home cultivation.

Traditionally, poinsettia is propagated from cuttings left after pruning in February or March. This is done like this:

Take the upper part of the stem with 5 buds 10-15 cm long.
Pruning is done under the lower bud and the lower leaves are removed.
The cuttings are placed in a container with warm water for half an hour. If this is not done, the juice will clog the pores on the cut, and roots will not appear.
The soaked part of the stem is dried with a napkin, placed for 10 minutes in a jar with an activated carbon solution for disinfection, and then in a solution of a drug that stimulates root growth.

From pruning to rooting
A 250 ml pot with holes in the bottom is filled with perlite and river sand. Then the cuttings are buried 3 cm into the mixture. Ideally, the substrate should consist of leaf humus, a small amount of sand and dry manure.

It takes 2-3 weeks for cuttings to root.

Caring for the planting consists of regular watering and maintaining a comfortable temperature regime (+20-22 °C). After 1.5-2 months, when the young plant takes root, it is transplanted into a pot. The height of young plantings is adjusted by pinching. It is advisable to carry it out 5 weeks after the initial transfer to a flower pot. When the side shoots grow, another transplant is carried out in a larger container. Thanks to such simple manipulations, it is possible to form a lush plant.

Poinsettia propagation by seeds

Few people know that pruning is not so necessary to propagate poinsettia at home. By pollinating the tiny flowers yourself, you can wait until round, almost black seeds form and ripen.

It is more convenient to transfer pollen using a cotton swab or a thin soft brush. At the same time, it is important to touch each flower and make sure that the grains get where they need to be.

Poinsettia propagation by seeds

After some time, greenish seed pods appear in place of the flowers, resembling small bulbs in appearance.

When the foliage begins to fall, the boxes are collected and stored in a paper bag without access to moisture. The dried, brown boxes open easily, and the ripened seeds roll out.

To encourage the formation of sprouts, poinsettia seeds, laid out on moist soil and lightly sprinkled with soil, are placed in a household refrigerator for three months for stratification.

Germination begins in warm conditions and takes several weeks. All this time, the crops should be moderately moistened. Mold or rot should not be allowed to appear, so the greenhouse must be ventilated regularly.

Caring for seedlings is not much different from other domestic crops. Small plants are first picked, and then, when they become stronger, the poinsettias are transplanted into spacious pots.

Planting and replanting the Christmas star

Since this flower has rather fragile roots

, then you should replant it using the transshipment method and try not to touch the old soil on the roots. Replacing the top layer of soil and drainage will be sufficient. For young flowers, you need to take a new pot, which will be a little larger in diameter.

After transshipment, the plant must be cared for with special attention: spraying, frequent and abundant watering, air temperature of at least 21 degrees.

After some time, new shoots will appear on the plant.

There is no point in leaving all the shoots; try to choose the most convincing and strong ones. Cut off the remaining shoots and use them for propagation by cuttings.

Diseases and pests

Leaves and inflorescences may begin to lose color, fade, and fall off. This means that you have over-moistened the soil, or placed the pot with the plant in a draft, or the plant does not have enough lighting.

If the leaves turn brown and the flowers fall off, the flower is too hot and dry.

Most often, poinsettia suffers from attacks by thrips, spider mites and mealybugs.

If there are wavy oblong spots on the leaves, or the leaves begin to curl, then these are thrips.

The scale insects cause the leaves to become covered with honeydew (a sticky, drop-like secretion).

If the leaves begin to rapidly turn yellow and dry out, this is a spider mite.

Wipe the plant with soapy water and rinse under a warm shower (but do not over-wet the soil). Treat with pest repellents.

What to do if it doesn’t bloom, how to make it turn red?

Red poinsettia leaves surround its flowers, and after blooming they either fall off or turn green. Accordingly, if the plant does not bloom, then there will be no bright “stars” on it. This may be caused by improper lighting:

lack of light;
lack of day and night routine;
Daylight hours are too short.

Some time after the problem is eliminated, the flower will again delight with flowering and a red crown. Also, problems with flowering can arise due to improper care. This is usually accompanied by a deterioration in the appearance of the plant - lethargy, dryness.

The magical properties of poinsettia

How Poinsettia affects people:

helps revive marital love, makes relationships passionate and bright;
helps to replenish the family: it is recommended to keep it for spouses who are unable to have a child;
gives pure energy of joy, helps drive away depression, despondency and blues, it has the power to maintain a good mood, create a warm atmosphere, attract new opportunities for positive emotions;
improves the well-being of the inhabitants of the house, increases enthusiasm and vitality (it will help a sick person to recover faster);
attracts well-being and prosperity - in the spiritual and material aspects;
helps to assimilate knowledge, concentrate, think creatively and generate new ideas - a person thinks faster, is less tired of intellectual work, works efficiently and with pleasure.

In addition, the flower protects from negative energy: the evil eye, damage, external bad influence, internal conflicts and fears. Only pleasant and friendly people come to the house where poinsettia grows, but those who are hostile here become uncomfortable. The atmosphere in the family becomes warm and friendly, and the financial situation stabilizes.

Peculiarities of reproduction of the Christmas star

If Poinsettia has been in your home for at least two seasons

, then it’s time to start propagating it, for which bush cuttings are ideal.

The Christmas star is pruned at the beginning or in the second half of summer.

, but without delaying this period until the end of August. In order to properly maintain a pruned bush, the room temperature should be about 30 degrees.

If the temperature does not reach the required level

, then you need to create a greenhouse effect or simply place the bush in a greenhouse.

The cuttings needed to propagate the Christmas star should be no more than ten cm.

Three healthy green leaves must grow on it.

It is necessary to prepare good, not dry soil with drainage and plant the shoot in it.

For new shoots to appear on the bush, the same humidity should be maintained for several weeks.

Always make sure the plant's soil is clean. Be sure to spray the plant several times a day to prevent pests. To avoid burns from direct sunlight, always alternate between shade and bright sun.

Poinsettia: signs and superstitions

Blooming luxuriantly at Christmas, poinsettia has healing powers and brings good luck. It should be placed in the center of the Christmas table - then those present will be healthy, joyful and rich all year long.

Natural poinsettia has bright red bracts - it attracts well-being, prosperity, good mood and pleasant guests to the house, and helps children study better. Today, breeders are developing varieties of a wide variety of colors and shades. The palette also affects the energy: soft pink, peach and creamy yellow varieties have less pronounced fire energy, and blue and purple varieties have an element of the water element.

Poinsettia Sonora White glitter

Other beliefs:

If a cat gets into the habit of eating this flower, it is in the wrong place. Judging by the sign, another part of the house needs his positive influence - rearrange the flowerpot until the animal loses interest in it. But at the same time, follow the rules of maintenance - plenty of light and no drafts.
Leaves on the plant suddenly fall off - this means that one of the family members is ill. This is often due to lack of care - eliminate mistakes and take care of the flower correctly. While recovering, he will restore favorable energy. However, if abscission occurs naturally (after flowering on the eve of the dormant period), this superstition is not relevant.
If, during pruning, milky juice splashes directly into the face, the omen speaks of a dangerous ill-wisher. He spreads bad rumors, weaves intrigues and tries to harm you. Use cut cuttings to propagate the plant - this way you will strengthen protection and improve the quality of life, despite the machinations of enemies.
A gift of poinsettia strengthens relationships between people, making them joyful, selfless, loving and faithful.

Features of the poinsettia flower and its types

The Christmas star is a flower from the Euphorbiaceae family. In its natural environment, it is an evergreen shrub that can reach a height of even three meters. Decorative species of this plant usually grow about half a meter, but with good care they can be much larger. They have hollow, straight stems and large, pointed leaves, a bit like maple leaves.

Poinsettia flowers are very small and inconspicuous; all its decorative value lies in the spectacular bracts framing them. Modern breeders have grown many species of this plant; its varieties differ in shape, size and color. Today you can find the Christmas poinsettia flower in shades of red, beige, pink, apricot, variegated and even purple and blue.

Feng Shui

Poinsettia in the interior

Bright red poinsettia activates fiery energy and speeds up all processes. It can be kept in your personal account to generate new ideas, increase income, and improve communication skills. In the marital bedroom, she will add passion to intimate relationships. In the kitchen or dining room, a flower will bring special benefits: it will make family feasts fun and enjoyable, attract prosperity, improve the taste and energy of food, increase metabolism in the body and help lose weight.

Feng Shui masters say that the living room is a universal place for poinsettias. Here it performs the main functions: creates a favorable atmosphere, establishes mutual understanding between family members, and produces the energy of joy.

If there is already too much “fire” in your house (bustle, guests, excitement, rush, constantly changing events, etc.) - opt for a decorative variety with a different shade of bracts: pink, peach, creamy yellow, orange.

If you strive for spiritual growth, get a purple variety, and if you want clarity of thinking and serenity, get a blue one.

What colors are there?

Bright beautiful stars are formed not by flowers, which are more like stamens, but by the bracts of this amazing plant. If in nature they are red, then plants with a wide variety of colors have been bred for the home - burgundy, white, blue, cream, yellow and even their various combinations. Varieties with textured, intricately curved leaves have also appeared, making them look like blooming peonies or roses.

Attention! An important condition for coloring bracts is the correct alternation of dark and light times of day. With too much or too little light, its bract will remain green.

Is it possible to keep poinsettia at home?

This is a very beautiful flower with gorgeous blooms and great energy. You can and should keep it at home, but you need to remember some features. This plant belongs to the euphorbia species, the milky juice of which is poisonous (although in this case less so than that of other varieties). If it gets into the stomach, it can cause poisoning, irritation on the skin, and burns on the mucous membrane.

Therefore, you should not have it in a house where there are small children, and as for pets, they have a good sense of smell and avoid dangerous vegetation. Some cats still eat poinsettia and, judging by the reviews of their owners, without visible harm. However, it is better to place the flowerpot away from those who want to chew the leaves. Even if the cats are not harmed, the damaged plant may refuse to bloom.

It is better to carry out pruning, replanting and cuttings with gloves and careful attention so that the juice does not splash into your eyes (to be on the safe side, you can wear safety glasses). Energy and care Only a healthy and flowering plant has positive energy.

In poor conditions and without proper care, it will begin to broadcast not benign “emotions”. Therefore, it is worth starting it only in those houses where it will be properly looked after.

There are a few important rules to remember:

Do not overwater the flower - like all euphorbias, it does not tolerate waterlogging;
To keep the bracts bright, fertilize them with a special composition;
After flowering, when the leaves fall, prepare the plant for the dormant period: cut the stems, stop feeding and reduce watering;
Starting from October, organize a “short day” regime for two months: at about 17-00, cover the flower with a dark bag and transfer it to the closet, and early in the morning put it on the windowsill - this will stimulate the formation of buds and beautiful “stars” will appear just in time for the winter holidays.

Sources and literature

Bernardino de Sahagun, Kuprienko S.A. General history of the affairs of New Spain. Books X-XI: Knowledge of the Astecs in medicine and botany / Ed. and lane S. A. Kuprienko.. - K.: Vidavets Kuprienko S. A., 2013. - 218 p.
Beketov A. N. Dicotyledons // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
Paul E.Ranch “The Poinsettia and its legend”, Chicago, 2001
Klug, S., Saleem, G., Hocharuk, L., Marcus, S. Toxicity potential of poinsettia, is the plant really toxic? Ottawa, 1990.
Taylor, Judith M.; Lopez, Roberto G.; Currey, Christopher J.; Jan, Jules. The Poinsettia: History and Transformation // Chronica Horticulturae. - 2011. - T. 51, No. 3. - P. 23-27.

Growing problems

If a new chosen one appears on the windowsill, then difficulties cannot be avoided:

How to care for the most beautiful spurge to bloom? To do this, from the beginning of October to the end of November, it is covered with a thick paper cap in the evenings for 12-14 hours. As soon as the buds appear, the euphorbia is placed on the windowsill and begins to be illuminated.
Why doesn't the socket turn red? leaves around a flower? The bush was not provided with short-day conditions, was not placed in the dark after pruning, or was not provided with a lower temperature during the dormant period.

The bracts make the plant decorative
How does poinsettia bloom ? It's actually very unattractive. Brightly colored bracts make the plant decorative. But it happens that the next year flowers do not form on the stems.
Why do wet spots appear on leaves? They can form from excessive moisture of the substrate and its hypothermia.
Dry air is considered to be the cause of the falling of inflorescences and yellowing of the edges of the leaves. In this case, daily spraying of the plant will help.

Growing poinsettias is a troublesome process, but the beauty of the plant more than compensates for the effort.

Poinsettia flowers - care after purchase or in winter

After purchase, the poinsettia is placed in conditions that are most conducive to its adaptation to a new place, development and flowering, described above.

Important! At first, it is better to place poinsettia on a south window.

It will not take long for the Christmas star to get used to the new place - usually within three weeks it completely gets used to the new place, so after this period it can and should be transplanted.

Important! Replanting is necessary because the substrate in which plants intended for sale in flower shops grow does not contain nutrients and is not intended for long-term cultivation.

If for some reason replanting a flower is impossible, they begin to feed it with complex potassium and phosphorus fertilizers intended for flowering indoor plants.

During the entire flowering period, poinsettia requires moderate regular watering, maintaining humidity and air temperature.

Description of poinsettia

Main characteristics:

The height in nature is 3-4 m, at home – from 30 cm to 1 m.
Flowering time is in winter (in Russia), namely from December to February, so it is often used in New Year's compositions.
The lower leaves are emerald green, reach 15 cm. They have an elliptical, petiolate shape. The stem completes the small flower.
The flowers are small with bracts, collected in an elegant rosette.
Does not shed leaves in winter.
Bracts are leaves up to 15 cm long, having a bright color that is different from the rest of the green crown.

In Russia, the plant is also known as Euphorbia Beautiful. And another name is the Star of Bethlehem. A number of Christmas legends are associated with this shrub. The modern botanical name comes from the surname of the US Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. It was he who first sent the plant to America, where breeders immediately drew attention to it.

Photos of pounsettias are often used on Christmas gift cards. Varieties with yellow, milky, brick and pale pink bracts have been bred.

The main role of poinsettia in home cultivation is decorative. The plant is sun-loving and grows well indoors. The need for moisture is limited, it naturally increases in the summer.

Provide poinsettia care without special skills, following basic recommendations.

Growing difficulties

Small bracts or they change color. The plant does not have enough light to form buds and fully color the bracts. Shading during this period is undesirable; this is done when the first flowers open.
The leaves fell off immediately after purchase. The most common cause is hypothermia of the plant. When choosing in a store, you should not buy a plant that is in a draft. It should be carefully packaged for transportation.
Stipules and leaves droop with high-quality watering. This indicates the appearance of root rot. Causes: overwatering or staying in airtight packaging for too long.
The bracts turn pale. Excessive sunlight “burns” the paint. The plant should be shaded.

You should also remember the following:

too dry air leads to the fall of buds and inflorescences;
When freezing, temperature fluctuations, or being in a draft, the plant sheds its leaves.

Why do the leaves turn yellow and fall off?

The main reasons for this are violations in the care and maintenance of poinsettias:

deficiency or excess of moisture;
draft or low temperature;
too dry air at high temperatures.

Price of plant and seeds

Poinsettias are often purchased in pots. In its flowering form, it is possible to comprehensively evaluate the decorative characteristics of the plant. The cost depends on the diameter of the pot and the height of the plant and varies from 200 to 1200 rubles per plant. You can buy seeds of the desired variety. The average price of 100 pieces is 220 - 350 rubles.

With well-organized care that prevents irritating juice from coming into contact with the mucous membranes and skin, poinsettia becomes a bright accent in the winter season. Its bracts, distinguished by a variety of shades, surround the inflorescences that bloom for the New Year holidays, adding an elegant decorative touch to any interior.

Varieties of poinsettia

The first thing you will encounter before purchasing is choosing a variety. Here are its main varieties when grown at home:

Oak Leaf is the first artificially bred variety, the shape of the leaves resembles those of oak;

Cortez Burgundy – rich shade of purple leaves;

Cortez Red - its leaves are scarlet in color, there are dark green veins;

Premium Red – classic poinsettia, the leaves are pointed, the center of the flowers is yellow;

Premium Miro – white-pink inflorescences, somewhat curved and compressed;

Winter Rose White – delicate milky leaves, their compactness will resemble a beautiful winter rose;

White Star is another representative with white leaves on the top of the head; they are elongated, pointed and resemble a star;

Da Vinci - named after the painter, it amazes with the elegance of pinkish foliage with red splashes;

Jingle Bells - seems to create a New Year's mood for everyone, its carmine leaves seem to be shrouded in white flakes.

In fact, there are many varieties of this beautiful indoor flower. From the most innocent white shades to rich crimson. When choosing your particular variety, you can easily get lost in all this diversity.

Attention! When choosing a poinsettia, look at it carefully. The stems of the plant should be completely hidden by green leaves, and the bracts should be uniformly and correctly colored. The presence of a green color on the bract most often indicates the poor condition of the plant.

When purchasing, you should give preference to heated stores. Unfortunately, in open markets there is a high chance of stumbling upon a plant with frozen roots.