How can I keep this poinsetta alive?!
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Please help. I rescued a poinsettia from church last week, and she was as dry as a bone. The alter people "forgot " to water them. I tried to get the best one that still looked halfway alive. I have watered her to just being damp, but all the bottom leaves are falling out!!! The top still looks healthy, and some of the green leaves are actually trying to turn red!! What else can I do for her??? I have her in my doorwall window to at least get some sun, (I get westerly sun), but is it maybe too cold for her??? We're having another Freezing spell here in good ole Michigan!!! Would appreciate any/all help. I don't want to lose her again this year!!! All the websites seem too complicated. I just want her to look beautiful!! Thank you, and God Bless!!!
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Poinsettias can be fussy. They do not like cold. They can handle dry but not cold. The leaves will fall off when it gets chilled. They do get rangy after the Christmas season. What you will need to do is take a cutting to root it or cut some of the branches back and fertilize it. Toward the fall if you want it to rebloom that is a big process. You will need to place the plant in a dark (no light at all) for about 6 weeks and gradually bring it into the light.
Don't over water. They do like to be on the dry side. It is almost best to almost ignore the plant. If you pull off the yellow leaves they should get some new ones coming on. Do you fertilize it? If you want to save it you will needs to fertilize it. Usually when the grower send them off to the retail stores that is the end of the feeding for the plant. They start suffering.
More info......Look up the website: todayshomeowner.com "How to grow Poinsettias year around" That website has excellent information on the care. One thing I notice on the website I did not ask you. Do you have the plant sitting in water? They do not like to sit in water.
Rule of thumb water only when soil feels dry to the touch using tepid water(not cold).If there is foil on the bottom remove for proper drainage as they do not like to sit in water. Indirect sunlight is fine but temperatures should not be below 60degrees.Wait until you see new growth in the leaves and in lieu of the water for the day give it a boost of water soluble fertilizer.