Extending the Poinsettia Plant's Life Author: Bob Sampson URBANA - As the holidays pass, so, too, do the colorful blooms of the Poinsettia plant. But University of Illinois Extension has a website that can help you keep the plant alive to bloom another day. "The Poinsettia Pages has lots of helpful information," said Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist and director of its websites." The website, developed by Ron Wolford, U of I Extension horticulture educator, answers to questions like: How do you get a poinsettia to bloom? To get a poinsettia to reflower, you have to keep it in total darkness between 5 pm and 8 am. Start this around October 1st and continue until color shows on the bracts, usually around early to mid-December. Any little exposure to light can prevent flowering. Covering the plant with a light-proof bag and placing it in a closet might work. Nighttime temperatures above 70-75°F can decay or prevent flowering. "If you want to keep the plant beyond the holidays, we have some tips," she said. • Place the poinsettia in a sunny window. • Do not let any part of the plant touch cold window panes. • Indoor temperatures from 60 to 70°F are ideal for long plant life. • High temperatures will shorten the life of the colorful bracts. • Water only when the soil is dry. • Placing your poinsettia in a cool room (55 to 60°F) at night will extend blooming time. • Do not fertilize when plant is in bloom. • Avoid temperature fluctuations and warm or cold drafts. Some may wish to keep the plant and then move it outside in the spring. "The key is to do it at the right time," said Scherer. "Move your poinsettia plant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Place it in a sunny area but where it will get moderate shade in the afternoon." The plant should be fertilized once a month with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Before watering, be sure to remove foil covering drain holes before watering. Water only when the soil is dry. Do not let the poinsettia wilt. Do not let it sit with water in the saucer. Empty the saucer.

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