After holidays, colorful plants will thrive with proper care

Poinsettias were introduced into the United States around 1825, when Joel R. Poinsett, then ambassador to Mexico, collected some specimens and sent them to his native South Carolina. Since then the poinsettia has become the most popular Christmas flower sold in the United States. The last figure I saw was that more than 50 million were sold in a year.

Ironically the Christmas flower is not a flower at all. The large red, white, pink, burgundy, etc. bloom is actually a bract -- a modified leaf. The bloom is the little yellow structure that you find in the middle of all of the bracts.

There is a legend about poinsettias that has survived through the years. A young boy named Pablo was headed to his village church to visit the Nativity scene when he realized that he had no gift for the Christ child. He supposedly gathered some green branches along the roadside. Because of his seemingly worthless gift, he was mocked by the other children. When he laid this "worthless gift" in front of the manger, brilliant red star-shaped flowers, the "flower of Holy Night," appeared on each branch.

If you purchase a poinsettia or are given one as a gift, there are several things that you need to remember in order for it to bloom and adorn your home or office. When you transport your poinsettia outside make sure that it is covered with paper or a sleeve if the temperatures are below 40 degrees.

When you get your poinsettia to its destination, remove the protective sleeve. If foil is wrapped up around the foliage, pull it down so that leaves will not turn yellow. Make sure to keep the poinsettia out of any cold or hot air draft.

Be sure to check your poinsettia daily for moisture. The soil must be kept evenly moist. Extreme fluctuations in soil moisture will cause premature leaf drop. When the soil feels dry give it a good drink. Make sure to pour off any excess water that has drained out of the poinsettia pot. Do not allow your poinsettia to sit in water for extended periods of time.

Always handle your plant carefully. Poinsettia bracts are very sensitive to bruising. Place your poinsettia in a brightly lit area, but never in direct sunlight.

In order to get your poinsettia to rebloom the next year, treat it like a houseplant after the holidays. Water it as needed and fertilize it about every month.

During the summer months repot your poinsettia, cut the stems back to about 8 inches, take it outside, and place it in a partially shady area. Water it as needed and fertilize it monthly with a balanced soluble plant food.

At the end of August take your poinsettia inside, cut back the stems to leave four or five leaves per shoot. Place in a sunny window, water as needed, and fertilize with a high phosphorous soluble fertilizer for the first month. Then continue to fertilize monthly with a balanced soluble fertilizer.

Starting about the 15th of September, keep the poinsettia in light only for nine hours per day. Give it uninterrupted darkness by placing it in a closet each night for 15 hours. Do not open the closet door during the evening. Continue to water as needed and fertilize monthly.

You should have a "blooming" poinsettia in December. Remember, success requires strict adherence to the light/dark instructions.

Hopefully these hints will allow you to enjoy your poinsettia not only during the holidays, but for many holidays to come.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or by e-mail to news@semissourian.com.