Although the poinsettia is a decorative element, we must not forget that it is a living plant. Because, it is important that we take good care of it if we want it to last us beyond ChristmasThe transplant being one of the tasks that will help you to continue growing.
This is a plant that supports cold but not frost, but if done carefully, it is possible to move it even in winter, just bought. If you do not believe me, below I will explain how to transplant a poinsettia.
What is the best time to transplant the poinsettia?
Since the poinsettia or poinsettia is a plant for a tropical or subtropical climate, it is best to transplant it throughout the spring. You must wait for temperatures to remain stable, above 18ºC, and if there is a drastic drop in temperatures, you will suffer damage.
Likewise, and although it is logical, it is worth saying that It is advisable to avoid transplanting it on a day when the wind blows strongly if it is going to be done outside, since it could take the substrate, the flowerpot and others.
Can it be transplanted in winter?
Yes, you can, but only if these conditions are met:
- If the temperature inside the house is at least 10ºC.
- If the climate is subtropical. The frosts are very weak (up to -2ºC), occasional, and of short duration. In these places, it is possible to transplant it outside on a sunny day, and take it home later.
How is the poinsettia to be transplanted?
Always with care, and being patient. It is important that it is done well so that the plant can resume its growth as soon as possible, and it is that if a root and / or branch breaks, it can delay it. So that nothing happens, you have to follow these steps:
Choose where you are going to have it: if in a pot or on the ground
The poinsettia is a shrub that reaches a height of 4 meters, and which also branches short of the ground. This is not really a problem, as it tolerates pruning very well. But You have to bear in mind that if there is frost in your area, it will have a bad time if it is outside; That is why it is preferable to plant it in a pot in these cases.
Put it in a place where there is a lot of clarity
You cannot lack light if you are indoors, or direct sun if you are outside. When kept in an area where there is little light, the stems do not grow with the necessary force and can "fall" (as if they were hanging up). In addition, the leaves would lose color and also end up on the ground before their time.
Plant it in light, fertile soil
Poinsettia roots are sensitive to excess water. Thus, it should not be planted in compact and heavy soils, or put on very heavy substrates if it is to be potted. In fact, if the garden soil is not the most suitable, we will have to make a large hole, 1 x 1 meter, to be able to fill it with a first layer of about 30 centimeters of volcanic clay or perlite, and with a second layer of good quality universal substrate, such as Flower's (for sale here), Fertiberia (for sale here) or Terra Profesional (for sale here) for instance.
In case of planting it in a pot, we can fill it with any of those substrates as well.
Remove it from the pot carefully
You have to grasp the plant by the base of the trunk with one hand, and with the other press the pot while the poinsettia is being removed. The normal thing is that it comes out easily, but if it had roots sticking out of the holes in it, first of all we would have to untangle them so that they would turn out well. It might even be necessary to break the pot, something that is done with a cuttex for example, or sewing scissors.
Plant it in its new place
If it is going to be in a potYou have to fill it first with a little substrate, then introduce the plant placing it in the center, and then add more substrate to make it look good. It is important that it does not stay too high or too low with respect to the edge of the container, but that it is 1 centimeter or a little less below it. Thus, the water will be used to the maximum when we irrigate, since it will not be lost.
On the other hand, if we are going to have it on the groundAfter making the hole and filling it with a little universal substrate, the poinsettia should be planted so that the surface of the root ball is about two centimeters below the soil level. Then you have to add more soil to be planted.
Water conscientiously
The last step is to water, but you have to do it without wetting the foliage. In other words, the irrigation will be received by the earth and therefore by the roots of the poinsettia, from where it will be carried to the trunk, to the branches and then to the leaves.
That's how easy it is to transplant a poinsettia. We hope you enjoy your plant very much.