how can i keep poinsettas alive all year long?

Answer 1

keep them inside in the winter

Answer 2

Keep them in the house, out of the cold and away from drafts.

Poinsettias may bring visions of sugar plumbs, snowy nights and sleigh rides to most people's minds but these well loved Chistmas flowers hate the cold.

Poinsettias are actually tropical flowers. Years ago my husband's family lived in South Africa. The first Christmas they were there my father-in-law thought it would be a lovely gesture to bring the neighbors a splash of color and a bit of Christmas cheer - great big potted poinsettias.

The red of his face was the brightest color in the room when he was told to take a closer look at the weeds that lined the roads.

In South Africa poinsettias are common weeds. He had not recognized them because they were not in bloom.

Anyway - enough rambling! I have copied some tried and true directions for poinsettia care. These have worked for me in the past. I have a plant that is around 4 feet tall know and showing no signs of stopping (quite scary really).

The tricky part is to get them to re-bloom. Read on...

Light

Poinsettias do best in a window with lots of indirect light. If you can't provide enough light, the poinsettia will not last quite as long. If kept in a dim location, the poinsettia may only last a few weeks. So try to provide as much light as possible to extend the life of the flowers.

Water

Poinsettias do not like to dry out. Try to keep the soil moderately damp to the touch at all times. Plants getting lots of light and/or kept in a warm location will need more frequent watering than those in low light, cool locations. Check your poinsettia at least twice per week to make sure it does not dry out.

Temperature

Poinsettias are sensitive to temperatures below 65 degrees. So avoid cold, drafty window sills. On the other hand, close proximity to heat sources will cause poinsettias to dry our quickly, thereby hastening their demise. Comfortable "people temperatures" are good for poinsettias too.

Plant Food and Misting

Don't bother with either of these. They don't help.

How long will a poinsettia stay in bloom?

It depends on all of the factors mentioned above. A quality plant in the right location that is well-cared for can stay in bloom for up to six months. But that is unusual. Most poinsettias will last for 4 to 6 weeks before the flowers (technically known as bracts) begin to fall off.

When the flowers fade and the plant no longer looks attractive, you can discard the plant or you can test your green thumb by doing the following:

* Cut the stems back to just above the point where new (green) growth is emerging. This usually means cutting off one-half to two-thirds of the stems. It may look ugly until the new growth has filled out in a few weeks.
* Move the poinsettia to a sunny windowsill.
* Do not repot the poinsettia.
* Water and fertilize the poinsettia regularly. Do not let it get dried out. Avoid temperature extremes and cold drafts.

If you do all of the above you will be rewarded with a full, nicely shaped, green-leafed poinsettia. Keep up this regimen through the winter, spring and summer. If you want your poinsettia to re-bloom, you will have to start preparing your poinsettia in the fall.
How to Get Your Poinsetta to Re-Bloom

It's not complicated, but it's not easy either. Beginning in late September, you must provide your poinsettia with 12 hours of complete darkness each night and 12 hours of good light during the day. For about eight weeks, you will have to move your poinsettia to a dark closet every night and back to the windowsill each day. Even a small amount of light from a light bulb for a short time can disrupt the formation of the new flowers. This is a lot of work. Most people prefer to purchase a new poinsettia each holiday season.

Answer 3

Once spring comes, plant on the south side of the house. They will bloom again next winger, but won't look like much until then.

Answer 4

in simple terms shop feeding it on severe nitrogen, then approximately June/July initiate feeding it on severe potash, it additionally desires 18 hrs of dark, so placed it in a cabinet for the dark era till you will see that it turning crimson. This works every time.

Answer 5

try going to this website. Follow these instructions. They will work.

http://www.humeseeds.com/xmaspoin.htm

I own a poinsettia too...

Answer 6

keep them in your house the whole winter until it gets warm enough for them

Answer 7

You have been trying, so I guess the answer is that you can't. Guess you have a brown thumb (where has it been?).