Hello everyone. I hope all had a fantastic Christmas and the planting and mulching is finished, except for the bare roots. I found out the secret for Poinsettias. When we think they are dying, they are actually going into dormancy. Poinsettias are perennials and can grow to 10’ to 15’ tall.
By the time we get the Poinsettias, they have already lived an entire season. The flowers are the leaves that have turned red. For a few months they are at their most beautiful stage then they drop all leaves and go night, night. Kind of like a maple or a pistace or sweet gum tree. They are green all year, then toward the dormant season, they display all of their glory. Fall is so beautiful due to the color shows the trees put on. I’m going to build an ice punch Poinsettia this year and give it a try to test my skill and I will let you know. Between January – March , they simply shed their leaves and sleep. To sustain viability, continue to water and fertilize them (not drown) and keep inside or the garage with medium light.
It is easy for us to think that they are frost proof since they come out this time of year for sale, however tradition has caused this – not the plant. It should be considered a tender tropical similar to ferns or our indoor friends. They do enjoy the cool, moist, humid atmosphere when in bloom, however extreme cold and frost can severely damage or kill them. Direct over exposure of sun/heat and not watering is just as fatal. They will get cruddy looking like sticks but only for a few months. In late March and into April, they can be planted in a suitable spot outdoors in a pot or in the ground.