Preserving the Poinsettia

Christmas doesn’t last as long as it used to. In my house, we stubbornly cling on to the twelve festive days and decorations don’t descend until 6th January. Which means that we are several days behind most people in wondering what to do with the poinsettia. In the right conditions, it should stay red for some weeks to come. By accident, we once had one that was still bright red in April, and from reading these poinsettia tips from Lelia Scott Kelly, a Horticultural Specialist at the Mississippi State University Extension Service, I now know it was because it stood on a moderately mild windowsill. If it’s crossed your mind to try to keep your poinsettia for next year, then she also gives instructions on what to do during the coming months. If you want a challenge this could be for you, but, I warn you, there’s an awful lot of temperature-watching, light-excluding and clock-watching involved. And just bear in mind that Lelia’s in Miss’ippi, which might affect your decision to follow her instruction to plant out in May…