Did you get the Poinsettia plant as a gift for Christmas? Perhaps you’re wondering how to get the plant to turn red again. While it’s not exactly easy, it is possible to encourage your Poinsettia to change color. With a little bit of effort, you can have a beautiful red Poinsettia plant even when it’s not Christmas.
Poinsettia: What Makes Them Red?
To understand how to make a Poinsettia turn red, it’s important to know what makes them red in the first place. In short, it’s all about the light. The plant produces a pigment called bracts, which are leaves that surround the flowers. They are normally white in color.
In order for the leaves to turn red, the plant needs exposure to complete darkness for at least 12 hours every day. This lack of light causes the bracts to produce more of the red pigment, which makes the leaves appear redder.
The plant turns red during the Christmas season because that’s when the days are shortest, and there is less natural light, giving the plant the long periods of darkness it needs to produce more pigment.
How to Make a Poinsettia Turn Red
So, now we know what makes Poinsettia plants red, how can we make them turn red again? Here are a few tips:
Force the Poinsettia to Rebloom
The best way to get a Poinsettia to turn red is to force it to rebloom. This means simulating the conditions that cause the plant to become dormant and then encouraging it to bloom again. This process can take up to 3 months, so be patient!
To force your Poinsettia to rebloom, start by cutting back the plant to about 6 inches. Then, stop watering it for about 2 weeks or until the leaves start to fall off. This will help the plant to become dormant.
Place in a Dark Room
After forcing the Poinsettia to go into a dormant state, about six to eight weeks before you want your plant to be in full bloom, put it in a completely dark room-this means no light at all, not even from a crack under the door. Then, every night, bring the plant out of the dark room and into a brightly lit one for 12 hours, then back into the dark room. Do this consistently, and you should see results within a few weeks. The key is to be patient; blooming takes time.
Use a Blackout Curtain
If you can’t put the plant in a dark room, then you can try using a blackout curtain. Place the Poinsettia near a sunny window and drape the blackout curtain over it for 12 hours each day. Again, being consistent with this schedule will give the plant time to bloom.
Fertilize Regularly
In order for the plant to bloom, it needs to be healthy. Fertilizing regularly will help to ensure that the Poinsettia is getting the nutrients it needs. Look for a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and apply it every two weeks. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package, as too much fertilizer can be just as harmful as too little.
Final Thoughts
Getting a Poinsettia to become red again is not an easy task, but it is possible with a little bit of effort. After following the tips mentioned above, you should see results within a few weeks. Just be patient and consistent, and soon you’ll have a beautiful red Poinsettia plant to enjoy.