THE POINSETTIA offers as much of a challenge as any plant when a person tries to keep it from one Christmas to the next. The newer cultivars that the florist grow now keep their color into the spring or early summer. However, to keep this plant for next year, continue to water the plant when required and keep it in a sunny window. About the first of April, gradually reduce watering and allow the plant to dry off. Do not let the stems shrivel or the plant will die. Then place the plant in a cool pot around 60 degrees and water only frequently enough to prevent drying of the stems.

About the middle of May, the stems should be cut back to about four to six inches above the pot. Some prefer to repot the plant at this time into a larger pot while others leave it in the same container. Use a good garden loam soil mixed at the proportion of two parts (pots, shovels, or baskets) soil, one part coarse sphagnum peat moss, and one part coarse sand or perlite. Commercial potting soil may also be used. Water thoroughly after potting.

The plant is then placed in a sunny window and watered when the soil starts to become dry. As new green shoots develop, more frequent watering will be necessary. Fertilize the plant monthly with a complete liquid fertilizer applied at the rate given on the container. After danger of frost is over and night temperatures are above 60 degrees, take the plant outside and place it in a partially shaded area. The pot is generally plunged in the soil, but it can be left on top, if desirable.

As new shoots develop, the tip should be removed by pinching or snapping it off and this is usually done in early July. Side shoots will develop after this pinch and these should also be pinched the latter part of August leaving three or four leaves on the shoot. The plant should be brought into the house and placed in a sunny window the early part of September when the night temperatures start to drop below 60 degrees.

Once the plant is brought indoors, the secret of flowering is controlled by light. This plant is a short day plant which means it normally would flower under the short days of fall. However, when the plant is brought indoors, the artificial light used for lighting our homes extends the day length and the poinsettia will not flower. Therefore, the plant should be placed under a box or in a dark closet where no light will be turned on from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. each day. During the day return the plant to a sunny window.

This procedure must be followed from about October first until Thanksgiving in order to get flowers by Christmas. Once you see color developing in the top, tiny bracts (these look like leaves), the plant will begin to flower and there is no longer any need to place it in a dark area. Continue to water and fertilize as previously described and you should have a nice Poinsettia for Christmas.

Happy Gardening!

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