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10
Walter Reeves
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA on Nov 23, 2011
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Do you know these poinsettia facts?

Poinsettias are NOT poisonous. That old myth was dispelled by a research project at The Ohio State University in 1975. While the latex sap may be irritating to the eyes, the plants are not toxic.

All poinsettia flowers are yellow. The showy "flowers" of red, pink or white are actually floral bracts (modified leaves). The true flowers are those pouch-shaped things in the centers of the bracts.

Poinsettia pointers

Protect your poinsettia from freezing weather when you buy it or take it home from church. 30 seconds of exposure to below-freezing temperatures will ruin a poinsettia. Have the car warmed up.

Keep your plant cool (70 degrees), bright (near a window) and moist at all times. The single biggest reason poinsettias become unattractive indoors is that we let them get too dry. You don't want to keep it waterlogged, either, but certainly do not let it wilt.

Your plant will not require fertilizer while it's inside. It really isn't attempting to grow, so additional nutrients are unnecessary. ...»

If you intend to keep your plant for the next year, leave it in its current pot until late winter or early spring. Trim it back once the floral bracts have faded. Poinsettias are unruly growers, so it will need a larger pot by March, and you'll probably want to pinch out its growing tips every month or so to keep it compact. By the end of the summer, it should be in a large pot (24 to 30 inches) filled with good potting soil. By October 1, give it total darkness for 14 hours each night and bright sunlight for 10 daylight hours. Those extended periods of uninterrupted dark are what triggers the flowering process. All that said, it's easier to buy new plants each December.

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    poinsettias at Callaway Gardens
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    poinsettia flower
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21 Comments
  • Teresa D Snellville, GA
    Interesting Walter! That whole darkness thing explains why my poinesettas never bloomed again.
    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 0
  • Steve G Fort Collins, CO
    Yeah, very interesting. I never tried very hard to keep my poinsettias alive, but they just don't last.
    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 0
  • Chaya K New York, NY
    Wow, this is news to me. Thanks!
    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 0
  • Barbara T Mcdonough, GA
    That Is wonderful information Walter! I was not allowed to take them to my Mother while she was in a Nursing Home because the Manager thought that they were poisonous, and she may put them in her mouth.

    Thanks so much.

    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 1
  • SheilaG, Plum Doodles Acworth, GA
    Good to know that they are not actually poisonous- thanks, Walter! :)
    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 0
  • Clyde S Alpharetta, GA
    That certainly ups the salad options!
    on Nov 23, 2011 · Like 1
  • Jane M Lake Geneva, WI
    thanks for the valuable information...
    on Nov 29, 2011 · Like 0
  • Kevin M. Veler, Law Offic... Alpharetta, GA
    Oh great..... Not poisonous? That is so going to ruin my evil twin's plans for the inheritance.
    on Nov 29, 2011 · Like 1
  • Dawn B College Station, TX
    Still don't believe it's a myth! Our cat became very ill & cold to the touch after chewing on one of the leaves. Took a couple of days to flush it from his system.
    on Nov 29, 2011 · Like 0
  • Tina
    I'm new to Florida, I'd like to plant them in the yard. Just don't know what they like?? Any suggestions?
    on Nov 30, 2011 · Like 0
  • Mike and Anne Raleigh, NC
    Always great reminders Walter.
    on Nov 30, 2011 · Like 0
  • Cyndi A Rockmart, GA
    oh, I thought they were poisonous to animals...my bad...:/
    on May 23, 2012 · Like 0
  • Carolyn A Howell, NJ
    I need more, please. I never worried about them being poisonous to us, I'm concerned for my FurBabys. I have one critter who really goes for some plants, & their cousins. ChrisCat has been known to go crazy for fresh corn husks & silk. We must hide it in the microwave. The few poinsettias we get, mu hide in the den until we can pass them on...
    on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Vicki Seneca, SC
    I have been in the plant industry for more years than I can count. Just curious..who ate the leaves to see if they would get sick? I always heard it was the "milk" that makes you sick. Test or no..I'm not willing to let my cats be lab cats!!!!
    on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 2
  • Debbie Godfrey Clackamas, OR
    the plant is not poisonous, it is the hormons, pest.,fert.,herb. and all that none organic material stuff to get them to bloom all at the same time. How else can the nurseries get all those plants to the stores and in our home for the holidays without some kind of help from the cemicals so readily use on our food and plants. They consumers demand made these plants unsafe, not nature!

    on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Christine S Jonesboro, GA
    They may not be poisonous to people, but they are toxic to cats.
    on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 2
  • Vicki Seneca, SC
    I have a beautiful poinsettia this year..red and white combination. It lives outside during the day..weather permitting and I bring it in at nite and place it where my cats can't get to it. Kind of sounds like I have a dog! Anyway...test or no test...PLEASE protect your animals and small kids from all toxic plants..not just poinsettias.
    on Nov 27, 2012 · Like 0
  • Carolyn A Howell, NJ
    Thanks Christine. Then, as lovely as they are, they stay out of my house. I'll not experiment with my guys (OMGosh, I see potential for a cat lady, here...)
    on Nov 27, 2012 · Like 1
  • Vicki Seneca, SC
    Carolyn A. You have made me smile this morning. I indeed have cats (2). Mom and her son. I don't grow any plants inside for that reason.
    on Nov 28, 2012 · Like 1
  • Sharon M Arlington, TX
    easy there miss godfrey . a little more homework could be in order , not to mention spell check .
    on Nov 29, 2012 · Like 0
  • Sherrie S Debary, FL
    Walter Reeves thank you for mentioning the light & temperatures. I just bought a huge one today & I'll be sure to keep it happy. I plan to plant it outside in the Spring & hope it can live outdoors in Florida during the cold months.
    on Nov 30, 2012 · Like 0

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