How to care for the poinsettia after it wilts
In comparison with the common knowledge about how to care for the poinsettia after it wilts and the tips for maintaining the poinsettia during its blooming period, the editor will introduce some information next.
The poinsettia, also known as elephant's red, beauty in old age, Christmas flower, Christmas red, and猩猩木 (certainly an error in the original text, should be a Chinese name for poinsettia), is native to Central America and belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, Euphorbia genus, a shrub plant. It is cultivated in most cities and provinces in China and can often be seen in parks and botanical gardens. It not only has ornamental value but also its stems and leaves can be used as medicine. The medicine has the effect of reducing swelling and can treat fractures and injuries. After the poinsettia finishes flowering, pruning is necessary to make it look more beautiful and promote the germination of axillary buds. Let's understand the pruning methods after the poinsettia finishes flowering.
1. Pinching
Pinching, also known as topping, is usually the first step in pruning after the poinsettia finishes flowering. This helps control excessive growth and promote the differentiation of flower buds, as well as provides more growth space for the branches, promoting branching growth and making the plant more aesthetically pleasing. How to pinch? You can pinch off the lateral branches and the top of the main stem of the poinsettia with your hands. If there are many plants and it is inconvenient to pinch with hands, you can use a disinfected pair of scissors to cut off the top of the branches.
2. Cutting the top
When the plant is too tall or too large, it is necessary to cut the top and prune for convenient indoor cultivation. The timing for cutting the top of the poinsettia is usually after the flowers have bloomed in spring and before new branches sprout. When cutting the top, you can retain a certain height of the main stem according to the space available indoors and the size of the pot, then cut off the upper part of the plant to complete the topping.
3. Thinning
After flowering, the poinsettia has dense branches and leaves, uneven branches, and residual flowers, which are not only unattractive but also不利于植株生长 (harmful to the plant's growth). You should cut off the dense branches, weak and diseased branches, residual flowers, and branches that are too tall, making the plant shape neat and attractive. Improving the ventilation conditions of the branches can reduce the possibility of infection by bacteria and pests. Good ventilation and light conditions can also make the plant stronger and the flowers more colorful when they bloom. Even if it's not after the poinsettia has finished flowering, pruning should be done when the branches and leaves are too dense.
The above sharing on how to care for the poinsettia after it wilts and the tips for maintaining the poinsettia during its blooming period can bring help to you in daily life!