Take Care Of Your Poinsettias

EDMONTON - Nothing adds a splash of gorgeous, festive colour to a room like a poinsettia. And a healthy, robust one will retain its brilliance in your home with minimal effort. But how these holiday favourites are grown and cared for before you buy them is critical. So before you head out to poinsettia shop, it helps to understand what’s best for these plants in greenhouses, retail stores and your home. Here’s what you should know.

First, you need to understand about poinsettias’ native habitat. The plants are indigenous to regions of Mexico and Central America where they grow in rather porous soil that is fairly dry. Unfortunately, far too many commercial poinsettias are grown in soils that are too dense. Because dense soils hold more moisture, there’s less oxygen available and the poinsettia roots don’t breathe as well as they should. This results in underdeveloped root systems. And, of course, poorly developed roots have a difficult time sustaining leaves and flowers.

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