How to plant and grow Poinsettias

Poinsettias are marvellous plants with magnificent bright red displays that last all through winter. It is actually the Poinsettia bracts that produce the marvellous red displays. The flowers are rather smaller than the bracts and look insignificant in comparison. This is much the same as Bougainvilleas.

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POSITION
For Poinsettias to truly put on their wonderful display, they need a bright sunny position and a rich garden soil. When planting, they will need sufficient room to spread as they can grow to about 2m tall.

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SOIL
When planting, for excellent growth they love a rich organic garden soil. Dig a hole and fill with Searles Premium Garden Soil Mix, or you can mix some existing soil into it. For planting in pots, use Searles Platinum Potting Mix for 18 months feeding and water holding technology.

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WATER
Poinsettias like a moderate amount of water, so once to twice a week would be enough. As with all plants, they will require more watering during hot and dry weather, and less in the cooler months. Whenever watering, be sure to give them a good deep drink.

FERTILISER
What Poinsettias really love is potash. The best way to treat Poinsettias is by using Searles Flourish Flowers & Foliage Soluble Plant Food, every 2-3 weeks. Do this before they flower. Poinsettia flowering is usually during winter. Their flowering is triggered by shorter days, so a good time to start fertilising is during early autumn right up to winter. This will ensure marvellous red displays.

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In Spring, summer and autumn, give them a fertilising with Searles Rose & Flower Plant Food and be sure to water it in straight away. This slow release fertiliser will help maintain good robust growth.

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PRUNING
After they have finished flowering, prune them back and keep the water up to them. You will be rewarded with their brilliant red displays every winter.

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