This one was purchased last Christmas and was not repotted.
The color change began a little late this year. It begins when the leaf petioles begin turning red. After seeing this, we expect the red coloring to continue moving up to the leaves to change them, but that's not how the process works.
After the petioles, the new leaves that are not yet fully grown begin changing. A little chartreuse at first, then a little light beige, then some red tinge begin to appear in them as they continue to mature.
At this time, I give it some regular low doses of nitrogen fertilizer. I want those leaves to grow big, since they will be the red 'petals'.
The light green leaves have matured. All new leaves the plant produces are now solid red. Over time, these mature into the poinsettia in time for the holiday.
The journey to red is not easy. It means coming home from work, fumbling in the dark to find the plant on the east window, taking it to the basement in the dark and putting it to bed until the next morning. Darkness for 12-14 hours is necessary in order for the poinsettia to bloom again.
Somewhat smallish blooms this winter are telling me to repot the plant for next year's holiday season.
That is very interesting information. I am impressed that you can get your poinsettia to turn red like that. I have yet to be able to keep mine alive!
ReplyDeleteChrista,
ReplyDeleteI have had better success when putting the plant outdoors for the summer. I did not do that this year.
Ray
I have never tried to save them from year to year. I got one this year and it has been rather puny. It is sitting in the middle of our dining table and Michael said this morning that it was time for it to go. Maybe I should save it. You have inspired me.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletePhillip,
Good luck. Put it outside in the summer. I even transplanted one plant one year for fill-in foliage in the summer annual bed.
Ray