The poinsettia, also called Christmas flower, Christmas plant, Christmas plant, Christmas flower, Poinsettia plant, Poinsettia or Euphorbia pulcherrima , its scientific name, is a very typical plant of these dates in many countries. Its large red bracts give the plant the appearance of having very showy and large flowers, highly appreciated for their lively hue.
Unfortunately, many people believe that poinsettia is a seasonal plant and get rid of it after these dates, but your poinsettia can survive its bloom and even re-bloom in subsequent seasons with proper care. One of the most basic and necessary is to transplant it.
When to transplant the poinsettia
The first thing to consider is when the poinsettias are transplanted , that is, what is the best time to do it.
When winter ends , the poinsettia loses its flowers and leaves as it no longer needs them, but this does not mean that the plant has died. After careful pruning, the poinsettia will have its resting period until the arrival of spring, which is when the poinsettia can be transplanted . By adding new suitable substrate, we will help the plant to develop new shoots, which will grow throughout the summer and autumn months.
If you have just acquired your poinsettia , it may also be a good idea to transplant it now into a suitable pot with a quality substrate, especially if you are not very sure which one you just acquired. These plants are sold a lot at this time, and at very cheap prices in some cases, so their substrate is designed to sustain them for only a little time. Even so, transplanting the poinsettia will be an aggressive process for the poinsettia , which is currently in full bloom. If your Christmas flower is not in bad condition, wait until February, when it loses the flowers, for the transplant.
Tools for transplanting the poinsettia
Before learning the details on how to transplant a Poinsettia plant or Christmas plant, we recommend making sure you have the right tools. This is the material to transplant the poinsettia :
- Pot with drainage holes slightly larger than the previous one.
- Gravel.
- Coconut fiber .
- Worm humus .
- Peat.
- Vermiculite .
- Perlite .
- A thin spatula or knife (no sharp edge required).
We will use gravel, coconut fiber, vermicompost (earthworm humus) and vermiculite and perlite to make a suitable substrate for the plant, something very important if we want it to survive flowering and to accompany us for several years.
How to transplant the poinsettia step by step
With this short guide we will tell you how to transplant the Christmas plant step by step :
- The first thing, as always in these cases, will be to sterilize the spatula or knife that we are going to use to separate the root ball from the pot in case it is very stuck. The idea is not to cut the roots of the plant at any time, but sterilizing it will avoid accidents that make your poinsettia sick.
- The new pot for the poinsettia should be slightly larger than the previous one, but the difference does not need to be huge: with 3 or 4 cm in diameter more than the ones it had, the roots will have enough space and soil to be able to continue growing. and feeding. It is also vital that it has drainage holes, as good drainage is essential for the health of the Christmas flower.
- To make the substrate for the poinsettia , mix a part of coconut fiber with another of worm castings and another of peat. This substrate base creates a mixture very rich in nutrients and with healthy microorganisms, which is also very light and with excellent drainage.
- Prepare a gravel bed at the base of the new pot to further improve drainage and avoid possible puddles. After this, separate the root ball from its pot very carefully, and remove large pieces of soil that are not held by the roots, always without damaging them.
- Place the root ball in the center of the pot and fill the space with the prepared substrate mixture, to which you must add the vermiculite and perlite to enhance its properties with a final touch.
- Finally, place the pot somewhere away from drafts or heat and do not put a plate under it except to water it. If you’re doing it out of necessity, be sure to empty it 10-15 minutes after you’ve watered it so it doesn’t hold in excess moisture.
Although these are the indications for transplanting it to a new pot, it is also possible to transplant your poinsettia to the garden soil if there are no strong frosts in your area.
Poinsettia care
To finish, we will tell you how to grow the poinsettia with these basic tips:
- Location: away from heat sources or artificial drafts.
- Light: High brightness. It needs 12 hours of darkness a day after summer to flower.
- Watering: every 3 or 4 days, when the substrate dries. It is best to water the poinsettia by immersion using a dish of water for 20 minutes.
- Temperature: between 16 and 22ºC approximately. It does not tolerate changes well.
- Fertilizer: only at the beginning of spring and in autumn.
- Pruning: very necessary after flowering.
