Poinsetta

[Lborobrewer]

We have managed to keep a poinsetta from last year alive and growing, but it is only producing green leaves, there is no sign of the red leaves; what do we need to do to?

[carolegif]

I think it flowers later each year. We kept a couple, but they didn't flower until Easter!

[rowanwitch]

unfortunately to get the bracts to change colour you need to do a lot of fiddling with dark cupboards and lighting as the colour is a result of changes in day length. basically you need to recreate mexico from around early october... there are websites with more info on this but it really isnt worth it enjoy it as a green houseplant and get some silk ones for christmas

[carlton23]

Best dump and buy a new one. To get red bracts they need 12 hours complete darkness and 12 hours daylight starting as rowanwitch states in October.

[hammerman]

No further advice to offer but just like to say congratulations on saving your plant for a year....they're one of the hardest plants to keep due to the high levels of heat and humidity required.

Funniest thing ive seen was a six feet poinsettia shrub growing in a garden in Barbados.....just seems strange that a plant associated with xmas grows so well in the tropics.

[carlton23]

Hammerman: If you want to see a magnificent Poinsetta growing naturally you must take a car to the Canary Island of Tenerife and drive up the long hill to Mt Teide where you would see a Poinsetta Tree about 10ft tall and many more spead around the island.

[Hopkirk]

How on earth did you keep it alive from last year?

I only have to look at one and it jettisons its leaves.

[carlton23]

I kept mine last year for many months after Xmas and it did well in the greenhouse in May until I decided to bin it in July or August.