Poinsettia

[lavender lou]

i adore having one of these at christmas time and i was wondering whether you could buy seeds to grow your own?

Thanks in advance

LL

[lynda66]

probably, but they are a heck of a hassle to grow http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tia_24510.html

did a quick search on google for seeds http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...e+Search&meta=

[Alice]

You could probably grow them Lavender Lou, but getting them to make the red bracts we love them for is a fiddly, tricky business - best suited to the commercail growers.

[lavender lou]

oh right i think i will stick too buying one me thinks

LL

[bluemoon]

Ah, poinsettas! Buy Christmas Eve, dead by Boxing Day. I know you're supposed to keep them from all draughts, but most of the time I think the damage has been done before you even buy them so, if you are going to buy one, get it from a reputable supplier who will have cared for it correctly before purchase.

[Alice]

You're right Blue Moon, and wrap them up tp protect them for the journey home, and they loke to be misted with water,
I had one a couple of years agp which did fabulously well.
This pic was taken in June.

[BrideXIII]

dont they have to be forced in the dark to make the leaves go red? or am i thinking of something else?

[Alison]

Dunno, I had one which lasted till the following Christmas one year but it never had a red leaf again and eventually I got fed up and put in on the compost heap. Funnily enough they grow into quite large trees in hotter countries, saw loads in Madiera which were pretty huge in a town park.

[Flummery]

Yes, it's the day length that makes them colour up. I once had one that pegged out in just a few days. I was told it must have been in a draught. It was on the dining table and the amount of talking I do, I think they had me bang to rights!

[jackie j]

They have loads in our Tesco's and they dont get watered as they have been put above the checkouts. ( in the way )

[Speed Gardener]

I've got one at home that's still alive from last year, unbelievably. It's been on a windowsill in an unheated room but with a southerly aspect. It gets watered a little about once a week, you can tell when it's getting dry because a few leaves curl up and drop off but it's still growing. I've been away for the last month so don't know if it's started to change colour yet, it'll be interesting to see if it has. I haven't the heart to dispose of it as it's still going, I might see how long I can grow it.

[Two_Sheds]

I only like the Cream/White ones.


Protect Poinsettias from cold and draughts at all times - They need a light position and a temperature of 55-60°F (16-18°C) but not above a radiator.
Water when compost is moderately dry; don't over or under-water as this results in leaf drop. Water by standing in water for 20 minutes (not more than 30) and then remove to allow to drain.

Poinsettias can be brought back into flower again, but this is a complicated process and difficult without nursery conditions. They are so cheap it's not worth the bother.