Monday, November 16, 2009

How often do I have to water an indoor Poinsettia?

Poinsettia Care





Poinsettias like lots of bright, indirect sunlight and prefer humid conditions (so you may want to mist your plant if your home is very dry due to heating or climate). As for watering, let the soil dry out between watering. The soil should be dry to the touch. Also, be sure not to let the plants pot stand in water at the plants base or saucer(A layer of pebbles in the bottom of the tray keeps the plant out of the water and increases the humidity around the plant). Poinsettias are sensitive to extreme temperature, so don’t place your plant next to a heater or near a drafty window or doorway. A daytime temp of around 65 degrees and nights around 60 degrees will provide perfect conditions for your poinsettia. Whitefly can sometimes be a pest for this plant; check your purchase closely. If you pick it up, and things fly, and they're white, well, there it is. Pretty easily taken care of with insecticidial soap or my favorite indoor pesticide, pyrethrine (made of daisies; it's organic and safe if you don't drink it).

How often do I have to water an indoor Poinsettia?
Poinsettia like well drained soil. If you purchased a plant or received it as a gift, re-pot it soon after the holiday season. Get a clay type pot bigger than the one in came in. Make sure that it has at least on half to one inch of pebbles in the bottom before you add any soil. Any good potting soil should work. Tamp the soil around the plant and water well just after re-potting. Allow all excess water to drain away.





For care during the rest of the year, lots of sun and only water when the soil is totally dry to your touch. You may have to add extra soil the first time or so that you water. Water until it starts to drain out the bottom of the pot and a then allow the excess water to drain away as before.





You can cover the “ugly” clay pot for the holiday season with colored foil or cellophane.

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