Poinsettia pruning: when and how it is done
During the 3 winter months, the Christmas star blooms luxuriously, and then sheds its leaves, because seeds begin to set. During this period, pruning poinsettia becomes a real first aid for her, which will become a ticket for the plant to a new life. Thanks to this, next season, she will again surprise guests with bright colors of her leaves, as well as graceful buds resembling peas.
A few days before such a responsible event, the flowerpot is not watered, but rather dried. Then the culture will lose less life-giving juice during the operation. The wounds will not ooze for a long time, but, on the contrary, will quickly heal.
Trimming poinsettia and further care for it
Many gardeners are discouraged by this procedure, because the stems are completely naked. The question arises, where to take on them new shoots. However, looking at the trunks, you can see barely noticeable buds in the form of roughness. It was in these places that the leaves departed from the branches. Guided by this principle, it is advised to trim poinsettia as early as possible. At the same time, the top is removed, trying to leave about 10-15 cm from the root outlet, or 2/3 of the total length. Further, the most beautiful milkweed is looked after according to the following system:
- Top dressing. Any fertilizer will do: organic, vermicompost or based on chicken manure. Only the dose is slightly reduced.
- Transfer / transshipment. The transport soil is slightly removed from the rhizome. It is worth considering that wet soil is easier to shake off. For a seedling, dark pots are selected that are less heated in the sun.
- Re-cropping. Some young shoots are cut off so that the bush takes on the correct shape, and the leaves are not too small. Strong shoots are left on the trunk, of course, if they grow in the right direction.
- Abundant watering / spraying. Try to add water when the topsoil is completely dry.
- Lighting. For the most beautiful milkweed, it is recommended to choose a bright room. Additional lighting is provided for weak shoots.
- Flowering stimulation. Starting in autumn, about 1.5 months before December 25, the daylight hours are reduced. Cover with a paper / black bag in the evening and remove it in the morning. Some people just put the pot away in the closet.
However, don't store your Christmas star on a cool windowsill. Due to the sharp contrast of temperatures, she can get sick. Also, the culture does not tolerate drafts.
Trimming poinsettia is an extremely necessary procedure. It is carried out after flowering, when all the leaves fall off. At the same time, in the middle of autumn, the gardener should stimulate its flowering with the help of additional shelter. With such simple measures, you can resurrect a seemingly dying flower.