How long has the poinsettia been around? The poinsettia was first associated with Christmas in southern Mexico in the 1600s, when Franciscan priests used the colorful leaves and bracts to adorn extravagant nativity scenes.
What is the story behind poinsettias? A Mexican legend tells of a girl who could only offer weeds as a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve. When she brought the weeds into a church, they blossomed into the beautiful red plants we know as poinsettias, known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico (Spanish for “flowers of the holy night”).
How old is the poinsettia? Cuetlaxochitl: the origin of the Poinsettia For us to begin, we have to go all the way back to the 14th century Mexico. The plant had a long history of medicinal use. It was said that its milky white sap, called latex, could be used to reduce fever symptoms.
When was the poinsettia discovered? In 1828, as first Ambassador to the new Republic of Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett (Bio) while visiting the Taxco region, discovered the ruby red-bloomed plant and was so fascinated with it that he sent clippings to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.
How long has the poinsettia been around? – Related Questions
When do poinsettias bloom in mexico?
Fact 6. A native of southern Mexico, the poinsettia blooms in December and has been used in that country to decorate churches for centuries.
Why aren’t my poinsettia leaves red?
In order to get a poinsettia plant to turn red, you need to eliminate its light. … During the day, poinsettia plants require as much bright light as possible in order to absorb enough energy for color production. At night, however, poinsettia plants must not receive any light for at least 12 hours.
How can you tell if poinsettias need water?
The best way to determine if a poinsettia needs water is to feel the top of the potting soil, which should feel moist and cool to the touch. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Additionally, if the pot feels light as a feather when you lift it, the soil is too dry.
What plant food for poinsettias?
Some common fertilizers used for poinsettias are 15-0-15, 15-16-17, 20-10-20, and EXCEL Cal-Mag 15-5-15. But other fertilizer types can also be used to grow good plants. For example, I’ve been using 20-0-20 with superphosphate added to the growth medium for a couple of years with great results.
Which country did poinsettias originally come from?
The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. It was named for Joel R. Poinsett, who popularized the plant and introduced it to floriculture while he was U.S. minister to Mexico in the late 1820s.
A poinsettia for christmas?
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity. The Poinsettia is also the national emblem of Madagascar.
How do you make poinsettias bloom?
To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.
Are poinsettias safe for pets?
Poinsettias are a mildly toxic plant and should certainly be used with caution, but the dangers are hardly ever serious or fatal. … While medical treatment is rarely necessary when a dog ingests a leaf from a poinsettia plant, you should contact your veterinarian if clinical signs appear in your dog.
How to plant poinsettia in the ground?
When you are growing poinsettia plants outside, choose a spot with slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Be sure it drains well to avoid root rot. Don’t transplant poinsettia plants outdoors right after Christmas. Once all of the leaves have died back, prune the bushes back to two buds and keep it in a bright location.
How to make poinsettia red?
To make them turn red, you need to restrain exposure to light. As early as September, place it in a room that is exclusively lit up by natural light, and check that it stays in complete darkness for 14 hours on a 24 hour day. Do this for eight weeks!
What plants are poinsettias related to?
Poinsettias belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, which consists of almost 2,000 species commonly called “spurge.” This is the sixth largest genus of flowering plants, with many varieties coming from tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
What is the lowest temperature a poinsettia can stand?
You can move the plant outdoors but poinsettia frost damage is a real threat if your area’s temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C.). At this range, the cold hardiness of poinsettias is below its tolerant point and leaves will drop. If the plant experiences sustained temperatures of 50 F.
How to make poinsettia to bloom again?
Poinsettias are cheery plants that are widely grown indoors over Christmas for their brightly coloured bracts. They are often disposed of once they start to fade, but with a little care, you can keep them all year and the bracts will colour up again the following year.
Are cats allergic to poinsettia flowers?
These festive plants have a bad reputation, but are poinsettias really poisonous to dogs and cats? The truth is the poinsettia’s leaves produce a sap that can irritate your dog or cat’s mouth and esophagus. If ingested, your pet may experience nausea or vomiting.
Are poinsettias toxic for cats?
The truth is the poinsettia’s leaves produce a sap that can irritate your dog or cat’s mouth and esophagus. If ingested, your pet may experience nausea or vomiting. They would need to ingest a significant amount to cause a more serious reaction, though.
Can a poinsettia plant be planted outside?
For an interesting, unusual outdoor plant, poinsettias can be taken outside in the spring when the danger of a freeze is past. Place the plant in a shady location, and it can be enjoyed throughout the summer. To keep the plant small and compact, cut it back about mid-July and early September to stimulate branching.
How often to water a poinsettia plant?
In your home, put the poinsettia in a well lighted area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.
How are poinsettias poisonous to cats?
These festive plants have a bad reputation, but are poinsettias really poisonous to dogs and cats? The truth is the poinsettia’s leaves produce a sap that can irritate your dog or cat’s mouth and esophagus. If ingested, your pet may experience nausea or vomiting.
When did the poinsettia first became linked to christmas?
The poinsettia was first associated with Christmas in southern Mexico in the 1600s, when Franciscan priests used the colorful leaves and bracts to adorn extravagant nativity scenes.
Are poinsettia leaves poisonous to humans?
Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash.
What to do with poinsettias after the holidays?
Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March. The poinsettia may also be repotted at this time.