poinsettias care--flowers?

Question

I bought some poinsettias and I've been watering them but they are wilting and they are dying and I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. They live inside and they are taken care of but don't have excessive sun. Is there something special I should do? Thanks

Answer 1

Put your poinsettias in a place protected from both warm and cold drafts. Don't put them in direct sunlight. Your plants need INDIRECT sunlight for at least six hours per day; if direct sun can't be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain. Ideally poinsettias thrive at a daytime temperature between 60 and 70 degrees. Nighttime temperature of about 55 degrees is ideal. Keeping the temperature low at night will lengthen the plant’s life, but don't expose the plant to temperature below 50 degrees.
To prolong the bright color of the bracts, temperatures should not exceed 72°F. during the day or 60°F. at night.

Check the soil daily and keep the plant in a well-drained pot. Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch, but
make sure you drain excess water from the saucer. Always remove a plant from any decorative container before watering and allow to drain completely before replacing it.

Avoid under- and overwatering. "If you don’t water enough, the plant will wilt and the lower leaves will drop off. Overwatering will cause the roots to rot and the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Root rot is likely if the pot has no drainage holes in the bottom. If it has no holes, make some... If it has holes but they’re covered by foil, either poke holes in the foil or remove it."
http://www.canr.msu.edu/berrien/homehort/lgwin2005.html#Poinsettia_May_Bloom_Well_Past_the_Holidays__

Answer 2

They may need more sun and it may be the amount you are watering them. The soil needs to be dry to the touch.

This is an article I just wrote that may answer some of your questions, Denise

http://thegardenersrake.com/indoor-plants-how-to-care-for-the-poinsettia-plant

Answer 3

I hope you have a poinsettia plant not a flower. For the plant it is native to mexico. think of the temps in mexico warm in day and cool at nite. does not like to sit in water. poke holes in what ever wrapper is on the pot.