How to cultivate Poinsettia
If you want to know how to cultivate Poinsettia and the related experience of flowering plant cultivation techniques and precautions, the detailed content will be shared next.
Poinsettia is also known as Christmas flower because its bright red color is particularly good at highlighting the Christmas atmosphere, hence the name. Poinsettia is a flowering plant that is especially beautiful and festive, and many people want to grow it. Let's understand the cultivation methods and precautions for Poinsettia together.
1. Nutrition
Poinsettia prefers loose, well-drained soil. A mixture of 3 parts garden soil, 3 parts humus, 3 parts decomposed leaf mold, and 1 part decomposed cake fertilizer, with a small amount of炉渣 (炉渣 is translated as cinder or slag, but since it's not a common gardening term in English, I'll leave it as is) can be used.
2. Watering
In spring and autumn, which are the vigorous growth periods of Poinsettia, the pot should not be too dry and lack water. It is best to keep it slightly moist but not waterlogged. In the hot summer, as water evaporates quickly, the watering should be done when the soil is dry to the touch and slightly moist. It should not be watered too frequently, as overly damp soil can cause root rot and yellow leaves. If yellow leaves appear, move the pot to a well-ventilated area and regularly loosen the soil to increase aeration and prevent root rot.
3. Fertilization
Poinsettia likes fertilizer. In the absence of nutrients, the plant will grow weak and the growth of leaves will decrease. Therefore, it should be fertilized regularly during the growing period to supplement nutrients. It can be fertilized once or twice a month with a thin fertilizer, such as a small amount of NPK compound fertilizer in the pot, which can promote vigorous growth of the plant. In autumn, to encourage early flowering, more phosphorus and potassium can be added, such as using a 1:1000 solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate to spray on the leaves, which can promote the plant to differentiate flower buds and bloom quickly.
4. Pruning and Pinching
In the spring, when Poinsettia is growing vigorously, pinch it 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 between plants. After autumn, avoid extensive pruning, and wait until the flowering period is over to prune the remaining flowers and supplement nutrients.
5. Temperature and Light
Poinsettia likes warmth and is afraid of cold. Therefore, it can be moved indoors in late September each year, and proper ventilation must be ensured. Poinsettia is a plant that loves sunlight and has a strong phototropism, so it should receive adequate sunlight throughout the year. To提前 (提前 means "ahead of time" or "early") or delay flowering, light exposure can be controlled, generally providing 8 to 9 hours of light daily, and it can bloom in 40 days.
6. Pest and Disease Control
Poinsettia is commonly affected by 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 feed on the back of young leaves and lighter-colored leaves are more susceptible to their damage.
Some people think that Poinsettia is toxic, as the white sap in its stems and leaves can irritate the skin, causing redness and swelling, and may trigger allergic reactions. If the stems and leaves are ingested, it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and even the risk of death from poisoning. However, it has been proven that Poinsettia is non-toxic, so everyone can purchase it without concern.
The above is a detailed introduction on how to cultivate Poinsettia and its cultivation techniques and precautions. Have you understood it?