How to cultivate the poinsettia plant
This article brings you knowledge about how to cultivate the poinsettia plant and detailed maintenance skills. Next, the editor will introduce to the netizens.
The poinsettia is also called the Christmas flower because its bright red color is particularly good at highlighting the Christmas atmosphere, hence the name. The poinsettia is a flower that blooms beautifully and joyfully, and many people want to grow it. Let's learn about the cultivation methods and precautions for poinsettias.
1. Nutrition*
The poinsettia prefers loose, well-draining soil. You can use 3 parts garden soil, 3 parts humus, 3 parts decomposed leaf mold, and 1 part decomposed cake fertilizer mixed with a small amount of炉渣.
2. Watering
Spring and autumn are the vigorous growth periods of poinsettias. During these stages, the pot should not be too dry and water deficient, and it is best to keep it slightly moist but not waterlogged. In the hot summer, water evaporates quickly, and when watering, it should be done when the soil feels dry to the touch and slightly moist. It should not be watered too frequently; if the pot is too damp, the plant may develop root rot and yellow leaves. If yellow leaves appear, move the pot to a well-ventilated area and frequently loosen the soil to increase soil permeability and prevent root rot.
3. Fertilizing
The poinsettia is fond of fertilizer. When lacking nutrients, the plant may grow weakly with reduced foliage growth. Therefore, during the growing period, it should be fertilized regularly to supplement nutrients. You can apply a thin fertilizer once or twice a month, such as a small amount of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer in the pot, which can promote vigorous plant growth. In autumn, to encourage earlier blooming, more phosphorus and potassium can be added, such as using a 1:1000 ratio of monopotassium phosphate solution to spray on the leaves, which can promote the plant to differentiate flower buds and bloom sooner.
4. Pruning and Pinching
In spring, during the vigorous growth period of the poinsettia, pinch the plant to encourage more branching and increase the number of flowers. Regular pruning and shaping should also be done to remove withered and diseased branches and leaves to increase ventilation and light penetration among the plants. After autumn, avoid pruning extensively, and wait until the flowering period is over to prune the spent flowers and supplement nutrients.
5. Temperature and Light
The poinsettia enjoys warmth and dislikes cold. Therefore, it can be moved indoors by the end of September each year, and it is also necessary to ensure good ventilation. The poinsettia is a plant that loves sunlight and has a strong phototropism, so it should receive sufficient sunlight throughout the year. To advance or delay blooming, light can be controlled, generally providing 8 to 9 hours of light daily, and it can bloom in 40 days.
6. Disease and Pest Control
Common pests of the poinsettia include whitefly, which can be controlled by spraying or watering with insecticides. Using the phototropism of whiteflies, placing yellow sticky traps coated with oil in the greenhouse can attract and kill them. It is also important to note that whiteflies usually suck sap from the underside of young leaves and lighter-colored leaves are more susceptible to their damage.
Some people believe that the poinsettia is toxic, as the white sap in its stems and leaves can irritate the skin, possibly causing redness, swelling, and allergic reactions. If ingested, it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and even the risk of poisoning and death. However, it has been proven that poinsettias are non-toxic, so everyone can purchase them without concern.
The above sharing on how to cultivate the poinsettia plant and detailed maintenance skills is all the content, have the green plant enthusiasts understood it?