Poinsettia, the care of which is quite simple, is very popular in the countries of America and Europe, and unfortunately it has not yet earned due respect among CIS flower growers. This plant is often called the Christmas star and the most beautiful milkweed. This flower is unusually beautiful during the Christmas holidays, and therefore has earned such an unusual name. Poinsettia, the care of which differs little from the care of other species of plants of the euphorbia family, is found in nature in Central America. It was from there that it quickly spread to North America.
Poinsettia the most beautiful grows in the form of a simple or branching shrub, often reaching a height of 1.5 m. Most of the branches of this plant are bare. Poinsettia flower has oval leaves of pointed shape. At the top, they acquire the shape of a blade. This plant is distinguished by a variety of colors of bracts. They can be white, cream, raspberry, red or two-tone. This combination of dark green leaves and very bright bracts gives the
plant a high decorative effect. Its bright petals were used by the Aztecs as a natural dye. The milky juice of the flower was used as a cure for tropical fever.
The brightest red poinsettia is most widespread in the world. Caring for her in the summer comes down to providing bright, but diffuse lighting. At this time, it is better to take this flower out into the open air, having previously protected it with sunlight and drafts. Poinsettia, the care of which is aimed at obtaining healthy, brightly colored plants, prefers shading for several hours (at least 10). Many gardeners cover this flower with a dark package for 2 months. Such measures are taken with the onset of autumn. After a fortnight, numerous flower buds form on the plant. For the development of leaves, longer lighting is needed.
The air temperature should be at least 14 ° C. In summer, the plant needs abundant watering, and in winter - in moderate. During flowering, the air should be moist, so in winter the plant is sprayed
with softened water daily
. Poinsettia is responsive to fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. It must be carried out twice a month, from the beginning of spring to autumn. This flower is transplanted in the spring, cutting at the same time a third of the branches. The best soil for it is a mixture of clay, turf, leafy soil, sand, peat (3: 3: 2: 1: 1). Weak shoots are regularly removed, leaving only strong ones.
This plant is propagated using cuttings with 5 internodes. For rooting, they are placed in a container with water or planted in pots with peat and sand. Shanks with well-developed roots are planted in a prepared substrate. Most often, cuttings are carried out in spring, using shoots cut off during transplantation, although this plant can be propagated if necessary throughout the year.
The main pests of poinsettia are nematodes, mealybugs, spider mites and aphids. When pests appear, the plant is treated several times with a soapy solution. With a large defeat of the flower by pests, it is treated with various insecticides.