Poinsettia pruning: when and how to do it

The poinsettia is pruned in late spring

Present at our Christmas tables, the poinsettia, Also known as the poinsettia or christmas star, is a native flower of Mexico, due to the appearance of its red or white star inflorescence during the winter months. It is a very beautiful and decorative flower thanks to its long red bracts, also available in other colors depending on the variety. The plant grows well indoors with rigorous maintenance.

The poinsettia is one of the most spectacular indoor plants, it is often noticed during the holiday season and the holiday season. The flowering of this magnificent plant takes place in winter and, of course, in the end of the year celebrations, illuminating and decorating our family tables very well. This houseplant it should undergo regular pruning in the spring.

Cultivation and general care of the poinsettia

La poinsettia a Mexican perennial, therefore, it likes tropical climates. While in its natural habitat it can reach up to 2 meters, it will not exceed 60 cm in cold regions. Ideally, it is grown in a pot with quality soil. You have to know that it appreciates the light without direct sunlight, the interior temperatures do not drop below 18 ° C and the air calm. Among the various varieties of Christmas stars, sometimes with red, sometimes pink, or even orange or yellow bracts, all require careful and regular maintenance.

Its maintenance is relatively simple, either for planting, watering or transplanting. It fits perfectly into our interiors. The air temperature should be between 18 and 20 °. It blooms especially during the Christmas season and it is at this time that it invades flower shops and garden centers.  During this period, the plant must be watered regularly at room temperature. It is not necessary to administer fertilizer, but it is important to allow the soil to dry out between two waterings. Do not forget to remove the water that is stagnant in the saucer.

The fall of the leaves is a sign of too abundant watering: therefore, limit watering and cut off bad stems by adding potting soil. This will stimulate her. As soon as new stems form, add a little fertilizer and water again more often. For growing in homes and apartments, it is better to place it near a light source, but no direct sunlight, especially in the most exposed moments. Maintain the humidity level it needs by spraying water frequently on its foliage. However, you should avoid getting the flowers wet.

When and how is the poinsettia pruned?

The poinsettia is a bush that must be pruned

Pruning allows it to develop new shoots and expand for a new bloom the following year. The bracts are the colorful part of the plant. The ideal period for these operations is between the beginning of spring and at most August, but not further because in September the plant begins to prepare for flowering. Pruning the poinsettia it is practiced as soon as the discoloration of the bracts and the loss of their leaves, towards the end of February. Between January and August, when the bracts begin to shed, most people dispose of the poinsettia thinking that it is dying - it is actually just going through one phase of its normal vegetative period.

Once the bracts have fallen, it is necessary to cut the stems at a height of about 10 cm from the ground. Later it is necessary to cut the branches of the plant by two thirds, leaving them about 10 cm high. The branches tend to be very short, so you can get a dense and compact plant with healthy, dark green leaves. The advice is to do it with a very sharp blade and not to use scissors because they could bend the edges of the stem inwards, in correspondence with the cut.

Also, you should always be careful and protect your hands with gloves. If your plant seems too bushy, remove some stems from inside the cluster so that the air can circulate better.

Care after pruning

The poinsettia should be kept in hot climates

After pruning the poinsettia, we can take it outdoors. In this period it is convenient to keep it in low light and, in case we see that it grows too much, we can make small periodic cuts, until the month of September when the induction of the flower begins, or when the plant enters the phase prior to the current one.

After replanting, watering should not be excessive, but should be done only if the soil, enriched with fertilizer, becomes too dry. From October, the poinsettia can be brought indoors again.

It is important to place it in a place where it is most of the time in the dark: being a photoperiod plant, the Poinsettia does not need more than 8 hours of non-direct natural light. If we do not have the possibility of leaving it in the shade the rest of the time, we can also protect it with a shading mesh. Nor should it be exposed to sudden changes in temperature, which should be between 15 and 25 degrees. Following these precautions, by Christmas the bracts will grow back and the cycle will begin again allowing us to revive our home again with this beautiful plant.


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