Keeping my poinsettia alive through the summer?
Question:I have a beautiful poinsettia that I had in my classroom since early December. My classroom had a lot of light, and I watered it every couple of days when I remembered. It did so well, now it has very few red leaves on it but it has all kinds of little leaves just growing. I just brought it home for the summer and I'm afraid it won't make it at my house. We have veeeery little sun, absolutely none in the house. So I have to keep it outside to have it get any light whatsoever. It's also hot here (it's been 80 and above the past few days, and will stay that way all summer) and I don't think they do great in the heat. I have no real experience taking care of plants, I just wanted something pretty for the classroom for the kids to water daily. But I've grown attached to this thing and very proud that it's made it this long, and I don't want to kill it! Any tips for me on how to keep it alive? I don't want to put it in the ground- I want to bring it back to school in September.
Answers:
Did you know that Pointsettias are native to Mexico? Pointsettias like lots of SUN! Here in SoCal, they grow outside to about 8ft! Now, not all of them make it that far. But I'd say if it has survived for you this long, it has a good chance. Repot it into a larger container, keep it well watered outside.
Technically they should be pruned on St Patrick's Day(3/17) and Labor Day(early Sept). Your area may differ. Good luck :-)
you could put it in the ground for summer then re-pot it for the next school year
On a trip to Hawaii I saw poinsettia growing to the size of trees along the road. They sure seemed to like the heat and moisture with a fair amount of sun. So I plant mine in the garden during the summer - they seem to do well there, but do not transplant well when it is time to bring them into shelter at the end of summer. So - just enjoy what you can - water, lots of fertilizer and as much sun as you can place it in. Mine did fine - although no red leaves - with 97 days and 50 at night (high elevation area). Good luck.
Pick a sunny spot in your yard and sink the pot in the ground. Keep it watered over the summer. When you're ready to take it back to school just pop it out of the ground. Or keep it in its' pot in a sunny spot on your porch/patio til time to go back to school. It will do just fine in the sun:) Mine is full of beautiful dark green leaves right now. It's out on my deck in the pot.
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