Poinsetta

[bill107]

My Poinsetta has flowered well this year but sadly it has lost all its leaves. Have I overwatered it? suggestions welcomed

[logman]

Overwatering is one possibility, it needs to be watered regularly, but allow compost to dry out between waterings, use tepid water, avoid getting water on the bracts.

Otherpossible reasons for leaf loss are, too dry atmosphere, or plant is too cold or light levels too low, about 60degrees is ideal..

[andyjevs]

The best way to treat Poinsettias after "flowering" is to cut the plant back by half. Keep it on a warm, bright window sill out of direct sun and water when needed (it won't need too much water as there won't be many leaves on the plant)
In about 6 weeks, start feeding weekly with a liquid feed such as miracle grow and continue this throughout the summer. This should encourage good growth and nice lush leaves. You might want to pot it on slightly....make sure the pot's not too big.

Don't be too disappointed if your plant doesn't look like it did when you bought it.....commercially grown plants are subjected to a "gas" treatment to encourage them to colour up better.

Just bear in mind that they are notoriously hard to keep alive for any length of time. I've seen them growing as 6' high shrubs in Barbados.....quite strange to see something associated with xmas growing in 85 degree heat.

Lastly, these plants are from the Euphorbiacea family....notorious for dripping a white latex sap from any wounds or cuts. This can be an irritant if you get it on your skin and certainly won't do your best leather sofa any good if it drips on that too !!!

[bill107]

Thanks both for your valued help

[Pherstun]

Poinsetia are grown to die, in a way. They're only expected to last over Christmas.

However, if you keep them in the situation that andyjevs mentions, they should stay alive and start to grow new leaves.

Apparently if you keep them indoors in the same light as outside (ie on a windowsill, no indoor lighting) there's more chance of them producing red leaves again at Christmas, as they are a photo-sensitive plant.