Poinsettia Care & AftercareMost people will throw their poinsettias away when it starts to drop its leaves, but with the right care your poinsettia will flower next Christmas, and even the Christmas following that. Poinsettias need a strict care regime if they are to flower next year and without it they won’t bloom. But don’t let that put you off.
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Dormancy
Through February and March, gradually reduce watering but not so much that the compost dries out completely. Put the plant on its side in a cool spot out of direct sunlight (a cool shed or north-facing window sill would be ideal) and water only when the compost looks very dry, probably about once every 10 days. After your poinsettia has dropped its leaves you can prune the stems back hard, to about 4in (10cm) from the compost's surface using a pair of secateurs.
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Start Into Growth
In early May stand the plant upright and position in a cool greenhouse or on a south-facing window sill. Try not to put it in direct sunlight, as the new shoots could scorch. Begin watering again to help the plant come back into active growth and produce new shoots. Once the new shoots start to develop, you will need to repot your poinsettia. Place it in a pot slightly bigger than the previous one in house plant compost. Make sure you place a layer of grit at the bottom of the pot to help with drainage.
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Feeding
Once the plant starts to grow, feed it weekly with a balanced fertiliser, such as Vitax Poinsettia and Christmas Cacti liquid plant food or Miracle Gro Liquid Feed. As the days begin to grow shorter, from mid-October, you will need to bring your poinsettia indoors. It needs a minimum temperature of 18'C (65’F) to perform well. Don't place your poinsettia next to a window or anywhere with a draught as this may cause the leaves to drop.
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Light Allowance
You will also need to start giving your plant the right amount of light. From mid-October your poinsettia will need 12 hours of sunlight or artificial light, and 12 hours of complete darkness, as well as being kept at a minimum temperature of 18’C (65’F). This is crucial if the colourful bracts are going to form. If you don't have anywhere dark enough to place your poinsettia put it into a black plastic bag. Also poinsettias like to sit somewhere humid, such as a kitchen or bathroom.