Download - 11 12 Poinsettia
Poinsettia
Plant: Poinsettia
Term: Short-day Plants
PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima• Interior Plant in Va.• USDA Zones 9-10• Bracts turn red, white, pink in winter• Flowers are centered in the bract• Plants ooze a milky sap• Poinsettias are not poisonous but the sap can
cause skin irritation• Many people continue to grow their poinsettias
outdoors through the summer• Poinsettias can be forced to turn red again by
controlling the light period
Short-day Plants
• Plants that bloom when the hours of sun per day is decreasing (Fall – Winter)
• Carnations• Poinsettias
Poinsettia
• Euphorbia pulcherrima• Interior plants• Grown for the Christmas market• Bracts turn red & plants bloom under short
day conditions • Plants stop growing when days get short• Propagate by cuttings
Poinsettia Production
• Large Growers have “Stock Plants”• Keep days long by artificial light
in the late winter and early spring• Take cuttings in summer & root them• Ship to growers who provide conditions to
turn red for Christmas – like us
Poinsettia Finishing
• Days must be short• No artificial light from onset
– (equinox 1st day of fall)• Plants may be pinched or sprayed with
PGR to keep good form
Poinsettia Care
• Problems:– White flies– Scale– Spider Mites
• Don’t use chemicals on leaves after color change begins
• Keep well spaced• Keep temperature between 60° - 80°
Schedule
• Want poinsettias ready for sale on December 11th.
• Today is Nov 12, so – 29 days to sale date• Speed up or slow down color change by
controlling greenhouse temperature• Find our average daily temperature