It appears in stores at the end of November. Enchanted by its beauty, we buy it and wonder what to do to make it last until Christmas. The Star of Bethlehem should decorate our homes, but it often happens that it loses its leaves just a few days after purchase. C Not only watering is important. Here are the florist’s tips.
How to care for Star of Bethlehem leaves? Advice from a florist that will help your flower grow like a weed
In our conditions, poinsettia blooms from late autumn to the end of winter. However, if properly cared for, it can please the eyes even until spring. For this to happen, you need to pay attention to the right plant at the time of purchase. We choose specimens with fully colored flowers and intensely green leaves. Let’s also check whether there are no whiteflies, i.e. small white flies. Another important issue is transport. In the store, we wrap the flower in paper, and when we bring it home, we only unwrap half of it. We place it in a not too warm place for a few hours, and only then do we unpack it completely and move it to the destination. The Star of Bethlehem does not like sudden changes in temperature. Poinsettias do not like hard water. It increases the pH of the soil and reduces the absorption of some micronutrients. So rainwater will be the best. You can also use filtered water. When caring for a star of Bethlehem, watering is extremely important. This must be done often, but in small doses. Although the poinsettia can tolerate temporary dryness, too much water is not good for it. Too much watering will cause the soaked roots to rot and the flower will wither. Excessive dryness is also harmful. Therefore, the Star of Bethlehem should be watered gently, preferably every other day. Twice a week you can also spray a fine mist of water near the plant. In addition, the Star of Bethlehem likes warm and well-lit places, preferably at a temperature of 13 to 22 degrees Celsius. In winter, it will tolerate direct sunlight on the windowsill. Poinsettia does not tolerate drafts. If we place it in an inappropriate place, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. In winter, when the plant is flowering, it is best to strengthen it with a fertilizer with a reduced amount of nitrogen. It is also important to wipe the leaves from dust and moisturize them at the same time. This will prevent them from falling down.
What to do with the star of Bethlehem so that it blooms for a second year?
Many people treat the star of Bethlehem as a one-season flower, but if properly cared for, it can change color. After flowering, the poinsettia goes dormant and watering is significantly reduced. In spring (April) we need to prune it. We remove withered and diseased shoots. This way we will keep the plant in shape and stimulate it to produce new twigs. We prune the poinsettia by shortening it by approximately half. Attention! Due to the fact that the sap of the Star of Bethlehem is irritating (and also poisonous when consumed) to the skin and mucous membranes, it is best to cut it with gloves. After such treatment, we move the flower to a cooler room (approx. 13 degrees C). In May, we transplant the plant into a larger pot and leave it for two days in a shaded place without watering. This treatment will stimulate the roots to grow. After this time, we place the pot again in a bright, warm place and water it thoroughly. From October, every day until mid-November, we cut it off from light for 15 hours (you can cover it with cardboard). Then we just wait for the star of Bethlehem to turn red again.
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