- Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny
- Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week
- During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming.
- Keep soil moist.
- Water plant when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, or pot feels lightweight when lifted. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry that they wilt. Remove from decorative foil or outer pot before watering. ...
- Continue watering as needed January through March.
How to make a good Christmas?
The holidays don't have to mean cinematic disasters.
- Use Christmas tale traditions and clichés of year's past to your advantage. ...
- The more pop culture references, the higher the nostalgia factor. ...
- Pay homage to the movies that came before. ...
- Be inappropriate. ...
- Make the heart of the story about something other than Christmas. ...
- Be quotable...really quotable. ...
- The shorter, the better. ...
How to care for and plant a living Christmas tree?
Taking Care of the Tree
- Let Your Tree Acclimate. No matter if you plan to keep your living Christmas tree in a pot year-round, or you're going to eventually plant it in your yard, you'll ...
- Pick a Cool, Bright Location. ...
- Water Correctly. ...
- Decorate With Care. ...
What do you do with poinsettias after Christmas?
You can keep poinsettias outside in containers or plant in beds as many resorts do this time of year, but make sure they are protected against extreme cold, Harper said. After the holidays, poinsettias can be kept in a protected area outside; the ideal place is a covered patio.
How do you care for poinsettias after Christmas?
After-Christmas Care for Poinsettias. Continue to keep your poinsettias in a place with plenty of light and water as directed above. The plants will enter a dormancy period and will begin to lose leaves—this is normal. Do watch for shriveled brown stems, which are an indication that your lovely Christmas flower may be dying a slow death.
How often do you water Christmas plants?
Answer: You should water your poinsettias whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, about once per week. Because yes, even Christmas cheer comes down to a science. The goal is to keep the soil damp but not sopping wet, according to Cornell University's Department of Horticulture.
When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?
To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.
How long does a Christmas flower live?
two to three monthsHow Long Do Poinsettias Last? If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for two to three months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
Do Christmas flowers come back every year?
Some gardeners are not satisfied with this long season of indoor beauty and attempt to save the plants to re-bloom the following winter. Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care.
How do I keep a poinsettia alive all year?
Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day. Keep poinsettias away from cooler locations and avoid exposing them to temperatures below 50 F.
What do you do when a poinsettia loses its leaves?
Cease watering your poinsettia plant once the leaves have dropped. ... Cut the plant back to 3 to 8 inches above the soil in the spring when new growth appears. ... Repot the poinsettia in a plant pot one to two sizes larger than the original. ... Move the poinsettia plant to bright light.More items...
Can poinsettia survive indoors?
Place potted poinsettias indoors in indirect light. Six hours or more of light (natural or fluorescent) is best. Keep them comfortable, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees, day or night. Lower temperatures will make them drop leaves almost immediately and shut down.
Can poinsettias live indoors?
Keep them as houseplants! Yes, you can keep your Christmas poinsettias as houseplants, and you can even get them to bloom again next year.
How do you get a poinsettia to rebloom?
How to Get Poinsettias to RebloomPrune your poinsettia plant. ... Fertilize the poinsettia every two weeks. ... Repot the plant in warmer months. ... Transport your plant outdoors. ... Pinch to encourage side branching. ... Place the poinsettia in a warm, dark environment. ... Display your poinsettia plant.
Can I put a potted poinsettia outside?
You can keep growing them like a houseplant if you like, but in the spring once the temperatures at night are regularly above 50°F, you can place your poinsettias outside if you want. Choose a spot that gets bright, indirect light (somewhere that gets shade in the afternoon would be perfect).
How often do you water a poinsettias?
about once a weekIn your home, put the poinsettia in a well lighted area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.
How do you force a poinsettia to turn red?
To make them turn red, you need to restrain exposure to light. As early as September, place it in a room that is exclusively lit up by natural light, and check that it stays in complete darkness for 14 hours on a 24 hour day. Do this for eight weeks!
How do you care for a potted poinsettia indoors?
Place potted poinsettias indoors in indirect light. Six hours or more of light (natural or fluorescent) is best. Keep them comfortable, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees, day or night. Lower temperatures will make them drop leaves almost immediately and shut down.
Do I water a poinsettia from the top or bottom?
Water your poinsettia plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Thoroughly moisten the soil to the point that water is draining from the bottom of the growing pot.
Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care
Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-co...
Fertilizing Poinsettia Plants
Fertilizing poinsettia plants is never recommended while they’re still in bloom. Fertilize poinsettias only if keeping them after the holiday seaso...
Poinsettia Care After The Holidays
In spring, return the plant to a sunny area and water well. Cut back all canes (branches) to about 6 inches from the pot’s rim. It may also be a go...
Poinsettia Plant Leaves Are Falling Off
It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily...
How long does a Christmas tree stay fresh?
A cut Christmas tree generally stays fresh for a month or so when it's well cared for. After three or four weeks, when the needles become dry and brittle, it might be time to toss. If you went with a potted Christmas tree, you'll only want to display it for a week or so before transitioning it to the garage to help it acclimate to the cold, then into a hole outside, where you should keep it well-watered.
How to keep orchids in the summer?
Keep! Keep in a east or west window. Feed with a specific orchid fertilizer. Water regularly but in late summer, let the leaves dry out or wrinkle a bit to trigger the plant setting new buds. Once you see a new stem, start watering again but stop fertilizing.
How to kill a sage plant?
Water when dry to the touch. "The most reliable way to kill them is root rot from overwatering," says Vollmer. Remove the foil or pot cover (or poke holes in it) that's around the plant when you buy to ensure it's not sitting in water. Water sparingly, then let drain completely in the sink.
How to keep a sage plant from dropping?
Give them bright, indirect light. They generally prefer it on the cooler side indoors. Avoid sudden temperature changes, which causes buds to drop. Water once a week until water comes out the bottom of the pot (they're usually planted in a soil-less planting medium).
How long does it take for a hypeastrum to bloom?
Prized for their ability to bloom indoors, these exotic-looking flowers (technically of the genus Hippeastrum) bloom about four to six weeks after you plant the bulb. Some varieties send up the flower first before the foliage.
How to promote flowering next year?
Your call! To promote flowering next year, place in a bright window after the holidays. After April 1, remove the colored leaves (called bracts). Shape as needed by pinching tips until early August. Feed every two weeks with a standard fertilizer. In September, move to a room where it gets only Mother Nature's light with absolutely zero artificial light after sunset. In early October, move back to your regular living area, and cross your fingers.
Can holiday plants survive for years?
Think again: "Many holiday plants can thrive for years with the right conditions and care," says Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist with the Chicago Botanic Garden.
How to stop dark period on a sage plant?
Simply stick it in a closet or cover with a large box every evening and then return the plant to its sunny window during the remainder part of the day . By Thanksgiving, you should be able to stop the dark period altogether, placing the plant in a sunny area for at least six hours daily. Reduce water and fertilizer.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to bloom?
Begin keeping your poinsettia in complete darkness for about 12-14 hours from the first part of October until Thanksgiving – or an 8- to 10-week period.
Do poinsettias bloom again after Christmas?
Then, by Christmas, your blooming poinsettia, hopefully, will be the centerpiece of holiday decor and ready to begin the cycle anew. While there’s no guarantee that your poinsettia will bloom again even with the best care, it’s certainly worth a try. Remember, though, that foliage is pretty too. Caring for poinsettia plants after Christmas is ...
How to care for a poinsettia plant?
In order to encourage blooming, poinsettia plants require long periods of darkness at night ( about 12 hours). Therefore, move the poinsettia to a location where it will not receive any nighttime light or cover it with a box. Allow plenty of light during the day so the plant can absorb enough energy for flowering. Warmer days (65-70 F./18-21 C.) and cooler nights (55-60 F./13-16 C.) are also recommended. Provide semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture once blooming occurs.
How to keep poinsettias dry?
For those choosing to continue with poinsettia care, decrease regular watering to allow the plant to dry out some.
How long do poinsettias last after Christmas?
However, with proper care, your holiday poinsettia should continue to put out blooms, or in the least remain attractive for weeks after.
Why are my poinsettias' leaves falling off?
It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily fixed. Environmental factors such as warm, dry conditions are most often the reason for leaf drop. Stress can also be a factor.
Do poinsettias need to be watered?
During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture. Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available.
Can you repot a poinsettia?
It may also be a good idea to repot the poinsettia using the same type of soil. While poinsettias can be kept indoors throughout summer, many people choose to move them outdoors in a sunny, but protected, area of the flower garden by sinking the pot into the ground. Either way is fine.
How Do you Prune and Propagate a Christmas Cactus?
For example, a Christmas cactus growing too much might start having the branches fall off due to the weight. If you notice that drooping on the plant, you should prune it.
How to bring down humidity in a plant?
Remove the plant from a humid environment ( like a bathroom with a shower) to bring down the humidity levels.
What Soil Works Best for a Christmas Cactus?
A mix of sand and an all-purpose potting mix works best for a Christmas cactus. Also, you can use coffee grounds as soil for this plant if you want. If you want to learn more about the relationship between coffee grounds and plants, you can visit that link.
How Much Sun Does a Christmas Cactus Need?
Placing a Christmas cactus in front of an east-facing window or west-facing window works best for this plant. However, be careful leaving this plant in front of a south-facing window. Since a south-facing window receives the sun’s strongest rays, you run the risk of burning out this succulent. Placing this plant in a place with indirect light works best in general.
When Does this Plant Bloom?
The bloom time for this houseplant is typically in November and December, which is why it is a perfect holiday gift.
How to make a tropical plant feel like it is in a tropical environment?
To help this plant feel like it is in a tropical environment, consider placing it in a bathroom with a shower. You can use a pebble tray with this plant if you cannot do that since that creates additional humidity when the water evaporates.
How to tell if a flower is not getting enough water?
Flower buds might drop more rapidly, which is usually one of the first signs that the plant is not receiving adequate water or too much sunlight. Either way, you want to increase the moisture that this plant gets. Here are some tips below to consider to give it more water.
What to do when your flower buds are forming?
When you see flower buds forming, increase light and humidity. The "dark ages" are over when your plant starts budding. At this point, increase humidity, light, water (not too much, of course), and the temperature. In other words, continue as you were a few months ago. [14]
How to keep Christmas cactus from burning?
Give your Christmas Cactus bright but indirect light. Keep the plant in a well-lit location (like near a window) away from direct sunlight – too much heat and light can stunt growth and burn the leaves. [1]
Why do my Christmas cactus buds drop off?
Bud drop can be caused by several different conditions. Usually it's because of over-watering, but it can also be due to a lack of humidity or insufficient light.
What causes Christmas cactus to drop flowers?
Any sudden changes in temperature, light, and watering will damage the Christmas cactus. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open. Introduce changes gradually.
Why do I love Christmas cactus?
Jun 22, 2017. "I love the Christmas cactus because it's a beautiful house plant, easy to care for and flowers profusely. I have a plant that produces gold flowers, very pretty. The plant is so easy to propagate, which makes it a nice plant to share with others.
What to use when repotting a plant?
When replanting or repotting, use new, fresh soil. It's worth the few extra dollars since it will probably be sitting in that soil for a long time. Your plant is a living thing like you, so it deserves the best.
When do the tips of the leaves start to grow?
A month prior to Christmas you will be able to watch the tips of the leaves beginning to grow. The tips grow darker as each day passes, until a bud forms. At Christmas time, as if by magic, the buds open to a beautiful flower that will add color and warmth to any holiday season. Steps.
How to keep Christmas cactus from burning?
Christmas cactus love bright, indirect sunlight. Just make sure to avoid direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.
How Do You Propagate a Christmas Cactus?
The only thing better than one Christmas cactus is two (or more), and the good news is that these plants are super easy to propagate. Just trim three to four segments and plant them in a small pot, ideally with some soil taken from the parent plant. Care for the segment the same as you would a mature plant and they'll root fairly quickly (in about four to six weeks). The best time to propagate is in the spring.
What Is a Christmas Cactus?
Each cacti blooms around the holiday it's named after. Christmas cacti have hanging branches composed of flat green leaves and rounded teeth. They produce red, pink, white, or purple flowers that bloom at the ends of these branches (which may reach up to three feet!). Each flower-which is typically about three inches long-lasts for several days, though the entire flowering period typically spans about two weeks.
How to get cactus to bloom?
This includes short days and long (dark) nights. Six to eight weeks before Christmas, place your cactus in a completely dark area (like the garage or basement, where house lights won't be on) for 12 hours each night, then carry it to a sunny spot to expose it to 10 hours of daylight. If for some reason buds don't form, Satch recommends bringing your plant closer to a window, as this is your plant's way of telling you that the daytime light isn't bright enough.
How long does a Christmas cactus flower?
Each flower-which is typically about three inches long-lasts for several days, though the entire flowering period typically spans about two weeks. christmas cactus pottted plant.
How to keep cactus from rotting?
When the top layer of soil feels dry, or when the leaves start to wrinkle, it's time for a drink. Use lightweight soil to allow for drainage, and make sure your planter has holes at the base. Never let your cactus sit in water, however, as this can lead to root rot.
When is the best time to propagate Christmas cactus?
The best time to propagate is in the spring. Secrets of Growing Christmas Cactus. Horticulturist Steve Schuckman shares how to bloom, grow cuttings, and cultivate hybrids of Christmas cacti with Martha Stewart.
Planting Amaryllis
Amaryllis is one of the easiest flower bulbs to grow and care for. Follow the steps below and get excited for big, beautiful blooms!
Caring for Amaryllis in Spring and Summer
Once temperatures stay above 50 degrees at night, you have the option of taking your amaryllis outside.
Transitioning Amaryllis Indoors in Fall
Bring your amaryllis indoors in late summer before the first frost. As fall approaches, your amaryllis flowers will fade, but worry not. Follow these steps to help it bloom again:
Caring for Winter Blooms
Once your winter blooms have arrived, enjoy them for as long as possible by moving your amaryllis out of bright direct light and into a location with diffused light and slightly cooler indoor temperatures (in the 60-degree range). Keep the potting mix barely moist.
Timing Amaryllis Blooms for Christmas
Amaryllis is a tropical plant, and its flowering is controlled primarily by moisture. While this flower does not require a dormant period to bloom again, you can control its environment to coordinate when you want it to bloom. Here’s what to do to get amazing blooms for the holidays:
What to cover lily bulbs with in winter?
During winter months, cover the lily bed with straw or evergreen boughs to protect the bulbs from freezing. ...
How to protect trumpet lilies from frost?
If you're expecting cold weather, lay a top coating of mulch over the plantings to protect the shoots. Trumpet lilies are the most vulnerable to frost damage. Make sure you keep your mulch slug-free!
Why mulch bulbs in summer?
Adding mulch in the summer helps keep the bulbs cool, and so lowers the need for additional watering.
How to plant lilies in a hole?
If you're planting multiple lilies, give each lily about a 6-inch radius so that they have their own place in the sun. Loosen the dirt at the bottom of the hole, sprinkle a little bone meal into the bottom, then place the lily bulbs inside and cover with dirt. Water immediately.
How much sun do lilies need?
Lilies can grow in full sun or part sun. They should get between 4-8 hours of sunlight per day.
How to keep bulbs from sprouting?
The sooner you plant your bulbs after receiving them, the better they will perform. If you cannot plant them immediately, keep them in a cold, dark place (such as your refrigerator—as long as it's kept above freezing). Do this to keep them from sprouting, for once they do, you'll need to plant them.
Do lilies bloom in hot or dry climates?
Asiatic lilies, Trumpets, and Orienpets flourish in hot, dry climates, as long as they have enough water up to flowering time.
