The life of the poinsettia, if cared for properly during the holidays, can be extended throughout the year.

During the holidays:

1. When selecting a poinsettia, choose tightly clustered, small central flowers with crisp and bright foliage.
2. When surface soil is dry to touch, water thoroughly. Discard excess water in the saucer or container.
3. To prolong color, keep a temperature range of 60 degrees for night and 72 degrees for day. High humidity is preferable.
4. avoid cold drafts and protect from cold winds.

How to produce new blooms for next season?

1. During the winter, Continue to follow holiday upkeep tips.
2. When bracts fade, cut back to eight inches.
3. Lightly fertilize every three to four weeks.
4. When temperatures are warm, (over 60 degrees) place plant on the outside.

Plant in an area that will produce blooms at Christmas time;

1. The plant should be cut back two times during the summer. The first cut around Memorial Day and the last cut before Labor Day.
2. From October 1st through mid December the plant must have 14 hours of darkness and 10 hours of natural light. This will force the green bracts to color for Christmas.
Do not plant where there is night light, such as street lights or outside lights.

1. Lighting
a. Indoor plants prefer a bright sunny window.
b. Outdoor plants prefer filtered light, I.E. Screen enclosure or a shade tree.
c. Full sun in fall with help promotes blooming.

2 Watering
a. Watering is very important, too much or too little will cause buds to drop or plant to start defoliating.
b. The plant should be watered often but not remain wet, good drainage is a must.
c. Cactus can develop root rot if soil remains too wet.

3. Soil
a. 3 parts organic matter I.E. compost or manure.
b. 1 part peat or good potting soil with peat.
c. 2 parts course sand or perlite for drainage.

4. Fertilization
a. Use water soluble fertilizer every 10 to 15 days.
b. Use Fertilome 20-20-20 during growing season.
c. Use Fertilome Blooming and Rooting 9-59-8 during blooming season.
Note: Never feed a dry plant

5. Bud And Bloom formation
Light and temperature both affect bud formation.
a. The warmer the temperature, more light is necessary.
b. The cooler the temperature, less light is needed
c. This may require relocating your plant to a brighter area when warm.
d. Buds drop with rapid changes in light or temperature.
e. Never let plants get below 45 degrees F.

6. Propagation
a. Take cuttings 2 to 3 inches long and lay in moist sand.
b. After roots develop pot in soil medium mentioned above.
c. Use only 1/4 strength fertilizer when propagating.

7. Pest
a. the major pest is mealy bugs.
b. Scale can also be found on occasion.
c. Dormant oil is the safest way to control both problems.