Poinsettia, also known as the 'Christmas Star', is a popular ornamental plant that provides a visual treat with its vibrant flowers during the winter months.
However, in order to achieve lush flowering, the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh is convinced that the plant needs to be given certain conditions.
We will tell you what measures you should take to ensure that your poinsettia pleases you with its flowering throughout the season.
In the wild, the Christmas star begins to bloom after two months, during which the daylight hours are only 10 hours.
To get poinsettia to bloom by Christmas, you need to create conditions close to natural ones. Then the flower buds will form on time.
To do this, starting from the end of September - beginning of October, you should artificially shorten the daylight hours. For eight weeks, remove the flower pot to a dark place every day for 14 hours.
This step stimulates the formation of buds.
At the same time, you should carefully monitor the condition of the plant. When you notice that the bracts have begun to open, care for the poinsettia as before.
This means that you should water it with warm, settled water when the soil in the pot is half dry. Fertilize the plant once a week to maintain active flowering with a fertilizer with a high potassium content.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
