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Should he stay or should he go. No, we are not talking about the “JB Big Boy” or the significant other in your life. We are not even talking about the family dog. Sometime you need to decide if you are going to keep the Christmas flower around for the year. Look seriously at your poinsettia to see whether it should go or stay. Poinsettias will last for several months although they often stay well past their welcomed time, and end up being a few stalks in a pot. Make the decision now whether or not you are going to keep that plant looking good and try to rebloom it next spring or whether you prefer to dispose of it and start over again next year. If you plan to keep the plant, place it in a sunny window during the day time. Water the plant as needed, although never let the plant stand in water as stem or root rot will quickly kill the plant. Fertilize the poinsettia with houseplant fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, according to the directions on the fertilizer. Do not allow it to become chilled or be in hot or cold drafts. Poinsettias may develop problems from white flies, aphids, or scale. If any of these insects are a problem, consider disposing the plant or correct the problem using insecticidal soap or an indoor houseplant insecticide. Keep the plant green and actively growing until summer. Move the plant outside in a semi-shaded location out of the wind. Pinch or prune the plant back so that it develops a nice, bushy shape. Before danger of frost, bring the plant indoors and continue to grow it in a nice, sunny window. The long night/ short day process to get the plant to flower by Christmas must begin between September 15 and October 1. Every afternoon at 5:00 p.m., the poinsettia must be placed in total darkness. At 8:00 a.m. the next morning, it must be removed and placed in a sunny window. Do this by putting the plant in a dark closest or covering it with a light proof box or cloth. Once the schedule is started, it cannot be forgotten or interrupted even once. Continue the routine until color starts to show on the top leaves or bracts of the plant. Fertilize the plants regularly with a high phosphorous fertilizer. Don't be disappointed if the blooms are not as big or showy as commercially grown poinsettias. Larry A. Sagers Regional Horticulturist Utah State University Extension Service Thanksgiving Point Office
