Poinsettia. The most beautiful poinsettia - how to grow a magical flower for Christmas

In its homeland, Mexico, the poinsettia plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima, “Christmas star”) reaches a height of 3 m and during flowering is considered the main color of tropical gardens. Moreover, the flower is known as a Christmas decoration. After flowering, it is thrown away, but in the meantime it is worth preserving and growing it further, provided that there is no aphid infestation. The herbaceous shoots of poinsettia gradually become woody, and a beautiful, bushy plant soon develops. Real poinsettia flowers are very inconspicuous, but the bracts are very decorative in creamy white, salmon, bright red and pink colors. There are some on sale potted plants, ampelous species and decorative standard trees.

• Family: Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbiaceae).
• Homeland: Tropical regions of Mexico, Central America.

When describing poinsettia, we should not forget to say that it received its name thanks to the famous American politician Joel Poinsett: the Minister of War was fond of botany and, when he saw this flower, was amazed by its beauty. Moreover, this unusual plant popularly called not only Christmas star, but also Bethlehem.

Adaptation of indoor poinsettia flower to home conditions

Experienced gardeners warn that you need to be very careful when buying a flower: the fact is that many unscrupulous sellers they try to get rid of sick specimens or those that underwent transportation in uncomfortable conditions. This is fraught with the fact that the process of adaptation and further care The demanding poinsettia will not be easy to grow. That is why try to pay attention to such details as the soil of the plant - it should not be too wet - and unopened buds - this is their condition that will indicate that the flower you are purchasing is healthy and young.

You should also take note of the fact that the Christmas star life cycle can be divided into the winter flowering period, dormancy and growth process. Experts do not recommend buying this or that specimen in December-February, so as not to bring home a beautiful indoor spurge flower - poinsettia - with a frozen root system.

As soon as the newly acquired specimen is in the apartment, the owner should place it in a well-lit place - for example, on a windowsill - but under one condition: there should be no drafts where the Star of Bethlehem will stand.

In addition, immediately after such a plant appears in the house, you need to make sure that the temperature in the room remains at least within 17-20 ° C. Such special conditions Best maintained over the next 3 weeks. After this period of time, poinsettia, which has already become a home flower, can be transplanted into the ground, which should first be diluted with sand and vermiculite. By the way, experts also advise carrying out a drainage procedure: you need to put a layer of small pebbles or ceramic shards on the bottom of the container. Note: by following these simple rules, a novice gardener will be able to admire the colorful blossoms of the Christmas star for much longer - about another 3-4 months.

Despite all the beauty of the plant, be careful: milky sap can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Gardening experts say with knowledge that the poison is most dangerous for human eyes.

There are known cases when, upon contact with a poinsettia flower, which has earned the name Christmas star, people developed allergic reaction. Sometimes side effects such as severe nausea and intestinal upset could be observed. That is why, in order to protect yourself from such troubles, it is better to wear gloves before starting the process of pruning or replanting a plant.

Why does poinsettia wither and drop its leaves despite proper watering?

When purchasing this flower, you need to take into account some of its features.

• Location: bright, diffused, indirect sunlight all year round. For the summer, you can move the poinsettia to a protected place outdoors.
• Temperature: loves warmth all year round. When growing after flowering, keep for some time at 12-15 ° C.
• Substrate: flower soil mixture.
• Watering: is very important because it can influence why poinsettia leaves fall and wilts. Proper watering should be plentiful from May to November, before flowering. Water faded plants sparingly from February to May.

Now in more detail about each of the points: firstly, location, which is extremely important when caring for the Christmas star - the wayward poinsettia - at home. You should immediately take into account the fact that this specimen prefers bright, secluded - that is, without drafts - places.

In addition, from June to September the plant can and even should be left in the fresh air. If this is not possible, you need to try not to forget to ventilate the room where the poinsettia is located. It is always necessary to control the amount of oxygen supplied to the flower: to do this, do not forget to loosen the soil.

Very often, novice gardeners do not understand why poinsettia suddenly drops its leaves: the fact is that this may be due to a lack of lighting - especially in winter. To avoid such phenomena, it is better to take care of an additional light source in advance - for example, in the form of table lamps.

However, we should not forget that completely the opposite must be done in the fall: The plant requires as little sunlight or other rays as possible.

How to care for poinsettia at home during flowering and how to water the flower

Maintenance required temperature– should not be below 18° C – this is, perhaps, one of the unchangeable conditions for how to properly care for a poinsettia flower in the house. The only exceptions can be considered when the plant blooms - that is, in winter: in this situation, the mark on the thermometer cannot fall below 14 ° C. But during the so-called dormant period, the thermometer must show at least 12 ° C. Be sure to take Note: sudden temperature changes are very harmful and dangerous for this overseas flower.

As for the humidity level: First of all, experts note that in June-August you need to water your indoor plant quite often - you should focus on when the soil begins to dry out. Watering poinsettias in winter is significantly reduced - the point is that the soil in the pot should be only slightly moist. One thing to remember is that during flowering the Christmas star needs spraying: For this purpose, settled water at room temperature is used. Do not forget that low humidity in most cases is the reason why the plant loses its foliage. Moreover, lack of water and high temperatures become ideal conditions for the reproduction of such a terrible enemy of this flower as the spider mite.

Despite this, it is simply necessary to know how to water poinsettia correctly: the whole trick is to ensure that the soil of the planted specimen is well saturated, but water never collects in the tray of the pot. In addition, some experts note that upper layer The soil may be slightly dry.

In addition to everything else, you need to pay attention Special attention and the choice of soil for the Christmas star: it is better if it is slightly acidic - approximately pH about 6. In addition, it is desirable that it be a soil mixture - that is, a combination of leaf and turf land, with the addition of clay-turf and sand (in a ratio of 2:1:3:1).

How to properly care for poinsettia at home so that it blooms

In order for the Christmas star to bloom, you need to know how to properly care for your poinsettia. That is why pay attention to the following stages of this process:

• Feeding: From June to November, apply fertilizer weekly.
• Transfer: from mid-May, when new shoots appear.
• Trimming: After the real flowers fall, cut the shoots to half.

It is necessary to understand each of the stages in turn: so – how to do a transplant. According to the gardening masters themselves, this is not a difficult process if you follow certain recommendations. For example, it is best to do this procedure in the spring - specifically in April-May. In this case, the poinsettia transplant will be successful, since it will be carried out after the dormant period has ended - therefore, the plant will be rested.

It is also necessary to take into account the fact that it is best to use the same slightly acidic soil for such an “operation”. Moreover, you should not neglect the procedure for draining the soil, which will contribute to the successful process of adaptation of the flower in the “new place”.

It will also be necessary to pick up a pot a little larger than it was before.

How to replant poinsettia when growing at home: replanting after purchase

Thinking about how to carefully replant poinsettia at home, experts agreed that it is best to do this using the transshipment method - we are talking about a technology when the flower is transferred along with a small earthen lump that rests on the roots. In this case, the amount of soil in the new container should be increased.

Such recommendations must be followed during the annual spring transplant of the Christmas star. It should also be remembered that these tips also apply to the moment when it is necessary to produce poinsettias only after purchase: having carried out the already mentioned “transshipment”, you should take care of regularly watering the plant and feeding it with products containing potassium. Moreover, it is very important that after the moving procedure the specimen is in a well-lit, warm place.

The next important condition for the successful growth and flowering of an overseas guest is fertilizer nutrients. This procedure is carried out starting from March and ending in September - with an interval of 2 weeks between feedings.

To grow poinsettia at home, it is best to use mineral complexes and mullein solution in the summer months, and during the flowering period - December-February - use potassium-containing preparations. By the way, it is recommended to use fertilizers that contain microelements such as zinc or molybdenum. An interesting fact is that some gardeners are afraid to fertilize in winter, when the Christmas star is blooming: they say that they don’t want to jinx it.

Proper pruning of poinsettias

In addition to what has already been listed, a novice gardener should not forget to carry out correct pruning poinsettias. The fact is that this specimen grows quite quickly, so after each flowering period it is imperative to “cut it short” - a very small stem should remain (about 10 cm high). It should be noted that this “cosmetic process” is carried out twice a year - in April (before the onset of the rest period) and immediately after the transplant.

These manipulations are necessary, since a gardener who wants to see a neat flower on his windowsill must make efforts to form a beautiful crown. Moreover, by clearly understanding how to properly care for poinsettia at home, a person will be able to contribute to its further development and reproduction.

Experts give some advice regarding the procedure for breeding this flower:

• Firstly, it is best to use the method of propagation by apical cuttings in the summer.
• Secondly, you can use waste from pruning. In this case, the milky juice will stop oozing on the cuts if the cuttings are dipped in lukewarm water.

Please note that it is not enough to take care of poinsettia care alone: its reproduction also requires special treatment from the grower. By the way, in its natural habitat, this plant uses seeds to increase its genus, but when keeping it in the house, a person must resort to another method - propagation using cuttings. This vegetative technology assumes that the separated parts of the Christmas star will be cut at the very beginning of June. In addition, they should not be more than 10 cm, and no more than 6 strong buds should be left on their surface when pruning.

When using cuttings to propagate a poinsettia flower, you will also have to take care of the poisonous juice: this means that you need to immerse the cut shoots in warm water for 5-7 minutes in order to get rid of the milky juice.

Only after this can the cuttings be treated with preparations that promote root formation, and the specimens can be safely planted in a moistened soil mixture, which should consist of humus, sand and, preferably, manure. Care should also be taken to ensure that the room temperature during the growing period does not fall below 24º C.

How best to propagate poinsettia at home

When asked how best to propagate poinsettia, most experienced craftsmen They answer - using cuttings planted and kept under film. Experts also recommend not to forget about proper spraying.

After 30 days - this time will be enough for the plant to take root - you can weaken it a little - to 16-20 ºC. Carefully monitoring the moment the first leaves appear, you should ventilate the seedling under the film more often.

In addition, in order for the future Christmas star to form beautiful branching, it is necessary to perform pinching after the formation of the sixth leaf. At home, the dilemma regarding how to propagate poinsettia ends in the following way: already in the fall, the seedlings are moved to larger pots (their diameter is up to 20 cm) and nursed in this place for another 12 months.

Main diseases and pests of poinsettia

Gardeners consider the red one to be one of the most formidable enemies of the Christmas star. spider mite, however, other insects also pose a threat to the overseas flower:

Thrips

Whiteflies

Mealyworm

For example, whiteflies harm the plant, leaving glue-like spots on its leaves, and the worm forms a whitish substance. It should be noted that it is diseases and numerous pests of poinsettia that most often cause this specimen to wither and turn yellow.

That is why experts have developed many reliable folk and modern methods combat these scourges. So, you can get rid of aphids and scale insects by regularly - once a week - wiping the sheets with an ordinary soap solution: only after this procedure is it necessary to arrange a “shower” indoor flower. But you need to fight scale insects using mineral oils to treat the same leaves.

Among the main diseases of poinsettia experienced gardeners They distinguish gray rot, powdery mildew and fusarium - a fungal infection. It is necessary to remember that it is high humidity that contributes to the occurrence of foulbrood: in this case, a grayish mold appears on the plant, which can spread along the shoots, leaves and inflorescences. In such situations, it is better not to rely on “grandmother’s methods” and immediately use “Fundazol” or “Clandestine”.

Why do poinsettia leaves fall off, the flower dries out and turns yellow, what to do in these cases

A symptom of the development of fusarium is darkening of the shoots: this disease can be considered the reason why poinsettia dries out. In turn, powdery mildew spreads with a white coating on the Christmas star, and then acquires brown-brown shades. Please note that such fungal infections can be destroyed using “Topaz” and “Skor”.

Quite often, novice gardeners do not know why their flower turns yellow. Experts explain that the prerequisites for this may be poor care behind the plant. It's about that it is the keeping of this specimen in rooms with low temperatures and excessive watering that in many cases become the cause of diseases of the Star of Bethlehem. But this is not the only answer to the question of why poinsettia turns yellow and withers: insufficient air humidity in the room where the flower stands can also cause harm to it.

Without checking this moment, a garden master will easily create ideal conditions for the existence of the already mentioned spider mite. This insect quite often disrupts the life of the plant - as a result, yellowing of the foliage.

If a beginner is faced with a problem such as unexpected leaf fall, most likely he also did not keep track of such important features growing an overseas curiosity, such as moderate watering and a certain temperature regime. Dry air in the room is another factor why the leaves of your home poinsettia fall off. However, you should also pay attention to the fact that after the Christmas holidays, this plant also sheds its “robe”.

This process is natural and, in this case, there is no need to take any measures. If the cause of what is happening was the negligent owner himself, he must first establish the source of the disease and then eliminate it.

That is why, when the leaves of a poinsettia fall off, what you can do in this case is to make sure that it has enough lighting in which it grows and there is no factor of sudden temperature changes.

How to make poinsettia bloom at home: useful tips and videos

Having missed something in caring for the plant or ignoring the recommendations of specialists, a novice gardener may find that his flower does not bloom in full bloom. Only compliance with such mandatory conditions as proper temperature conditions and correct lighting, will help correct the current situation. That is why, in order to solve the question of how exactly to make poinsettia bloom, you should once again check all the possible factors of this phenomenon. Experienced gardeners have bred several useful tips which will definitely help beginners:

1. Inflorescences fall off– you should make sure that the root system has not rotted due to excessive watering.
2. Appear brown spots – it is necessary to adjust the air humidity.
3. The inflorescences turn pale– too much water gets on the foliage of the Christmas star.
4. Sudden leaf fall– the plant lacks light and heat.
5. Young poinsettia leaves turn yellow– you need to check whether it is in a draft.

Thus, following these recommendations, you can provide your flower with comfortable conditions for growth and development. Take a quick look at the video of how poinsettia can bloom at home: plants, regardless of how they were bred through experiments, delight the eyes of those who take care of caring for them.

Why home poinsettia does not bloom and how to make the plant bloom

Quite often, those who have purchased this overseas specimen wonder why homemade poinsettia does not bloom. Experts say that for the formation of flowers and coloring of bracts, poinsettia should be illuminated for two months, starting in September (including with a lamp or street lamp) for no more than 10-12 hours a day (depending on the variety). It is best to cover the plant with a bucket or cardboard box every night for 12-14 hours.

Poinsettia can bloom repeatedly even if you take care of its proper rest during the so-called dormant period. After all the inflorescences have disappeared from the Christmas star, it is necessary to reduce watering over the next 40 days. Moreover, this process carried out only when it becomes clear that the soil in the pot has completely dried out. You must not forget to trim the stems of the plant - by about a third - at the end of March. In addition, what else needs to be done for the poinsettia to bloom is to remember to replant it in a pot with a soil mixture of turf and leaf soil with the addition of compost, peat and sandstone.

You also need to remember that from the end of September (for the next 8 weeks) the flower should receive less sunlight - only 10 hours a day. And after this period of time, it is necessary to completely remove the Christmas star to a dark place.

This is necessary so that kidney development is not delayed. Only following these recommendations is the solution to how you can make poinsettia bloom at home.

A common flower crop colors the December days with amazing bright leaves. poinsettia. Thanks to this ability, this houseplant is called the Christmas or Bethlehem star.

Description and features

Poinsettia is the second official name of the most beautiful Euphorbia (in Latin Euphorbia pulcherrima), a popular member of the Euphorbiaceae family. The plant's natural range is in the tropical central Americas and Mexico.

Poinsettia flower or Christmas star

The most beautiful euphorbia develops as evergreen shrub up to three meters high. Ovate-elliptical dark green jagged poinsettia leaves about 15 cm long, they are attached to the shoots using petioles.

The yellowish small flowers appear in December and are arranged in rosette-shaped inflorescences. They are surrounded by bracts of expressive rich shades - pink, bright red, scarlet, white, giving the plant incredible charm. There are two-color varieties. Pleases with his presence blooming poinsettia until February.

It should be noted that the juice of this exotic plant can cause redness of the mucous membranes or skin with severe itching. Therefore, pruning and replanting is carried out in closed clothing and gloves. Protect your eyes with goggles and your respiratory organs with a mask. Be sure to take measures to limit access to the flower for pets and especially children.

Types and varieties

Most common red poinsettia, but for decorative floriculture, many varieties of beautiful milkweed have been bred, the main difference of which is the shade of the bracts:

Variety name	Characteristics
Variegated
Da Vinci	The sophisticated pink background with a whitish touch adds amazing decorativeness.
Jester Pink	This variety is characterized by a green edging that sets off the main pink background.
Jingle Bells Sonora	White miniature strokes on a noble purple-burgundy background make the plant very expressive
Marblestar	Features a white edging and a pink base tone
Monet Twilight	Creates a pleasant festive mood pink color with blurry white inclusions
Regina	Features a basic white color with green veins
Silverstar Marble	The pink background, shaded with white edging, adds expressiveness.
Sonora Marble	Becomes the center of attention thanks to the noble background Ivory, emphasized by pinkish splashes
Strawberry and cream	Surprising pink and purple color combination that creates an imitation of marble
Winter Blush Marble	The milky edging adds elegant expressiveness to the pink bracts.
Varieties with orange and yellow bracts
Cinnamon star	This variety is distinguished by the tiered color of jagged leaves with a combination of rich yellow and orange shades
Euphorbia pulcherrima	Very beautiful flower with fiery orange color
Lemon snow	Delicate lemon color makes the plant surprisingly attractive
Orange Poincettias	Elongated leaf blades are characterized by an orange tone
Yellow Poincettias	This variety has a variety of pistachio shades
Poinsettia with white shades
Arctic White	Snow-white stars look very expressive against the green background
Cortez White	Shows a tone close to ivory
Freedom White	Exquisite white flower looks elegant in any setting
Polar Bear	White color slightly shaded by the yellowish core of elongated graceful leaves
Silverstar White	The snow-white color of the bracts harmonizes with the winter landscape outside the window
Sonora White	The green veins on the main ivory background add a special charm.
Winter Rose White	Characteristic double white bracts
White Star	Pearly-beige, very light bracts, elongated with pointed tips, form large expressive stars
All shades of red
Carousel Dark Red	An unusual variety with a light openwork of dark noble red enlivens the surrounding atmosphere
Carousel Pink	Stipules with a double effect show a pink color with characteristic greenish veins
Carousel Red	It has a light red background, which contrasts originally with the inflorescences
Cortez Burgundy	Heart-shaped central leaf plates are painted in a noble burgundy tone
Cortez Fire	Expressive fiery red decor flowering plant creates a festive mood
Jester Red	Highlighted in red bright shade with dark veins
Galactica	The very rich red color adds charm
Goldfinder	This variety is characterized by a muted, classic red hue.
Olympia	Juicy red color creates a unique cozy atmosphere
Peterstar	Attracts with a catchy fiery red tone
Premium Red	Yellowish-green small inflorescences are buried in a riot of bright red bracts
Red Diamond	Shows a rich red tone at the flowering stage
Sonora	The expressive red hue makes the flower a bright accent spot in the interior.
Tapestry	Chic color charm is created due to the richness of the scarlet tone
Winter Rose Red	Double red bracts make the flower elegant and sophisticated
Other varieties
Blue Poinsettia	The mesmerizing beauty of this type of poinsettia is ensured by the unusual blue color of the bracts with expressive veins.
Cortez Pink	The expressiveness of this variety is given by the salmon shade of pink color.
Eckespoint Lilo	An unusual purple tone with lilac notes makes the flower a real pearl of the surrounding interior.
Freedom Pink	The rich, delicate pink color of the stipules lifts your spirits
Pink El	Medium-sized bracts with a rich pink color are characteristic.
Polly Pink	The plant creates a bright accent thanks to its incredibly rich pink color
Prestige Maroon	The wine hue against the emerald foliage makes this variety a favorite among other poinsettia varieties.
Sonora Fire	Features a rich scarlet color

Growing and care at home

To poinsettia domestica developed well, should be selected for her appropriate place. It is particularly sensitive to temperature indicators. During the growing season they range from 17 to 27 degrees. In winter, during flowering, conditions may be cooler, but not lower than 14˚C. During the rest period, the optimal range is maintained at 12-14˚C.

The room is selected with good lighting, providing protection from drafts and direct exposure to midday sunlight. In summer, if possible, poinsettia is moved to a loggia, veranda or balcony.

Watering with settled warm water is required regularly, but not excessively. Carry out when the surface of the soil substrate in the pot becomes dry. The liquid from the pan is immediately poured out, since the roots rot when the soil becomes waterlogged. If the indoor air is dry, it is useful to spray the leaves with water once a day using a spray bottle.

When the root system grows in May, a transplant is performed, selecting a new pot slightly larger in size than the previous container. Drainage is placed at the bottom and the pot is filled with a mixture of horse humus, leaf humus, sifted sand, turf soil in a ratio of 1:2:3:3. The transplanted flower is watered and regular care is provided. When new shoots form, no more than six of the strongest shoots are left. The rest are cut out at the root.

During the rest period poinsettia flower submerges at the end of flowering. This usually happens in March, when the stems are shortened to 10 cm. The rest lasts for an average of two months. Watering is not carried out at this stage. Conditions require cool 12 to 14 degrees.

If it is planned that poinsettia plant It must bloom by the New Year; they begin to regulate the lighting in the last ten days of September. It is important to provide the flower with complete darkness for 14 hours, covering the pot in the late afternoon thick fabric. After 8 weeks, the shelter is removed. The active formation of flower buds begins, which open by the allotted time.

Includes poinsettia care regular feeding with a two-week interval with a liquid mineral complex. The plant requires pruning if the stems become very elongated. This crop is propagated by cuttings with five internodes, which are cut in June. They are immediately placed in a container with warm water to prevent the juice from flowing out.

Place the peat-sand mixture into a container. The growth stimulator Kornevin is diluted, following the instructions. The lower sections of the cuttings are dipped and planted in a slightly moistened substrate prepared from loose peat and sand in equal proportions. Deepen by 10 mm.

The container is placed in a warm room, ensuring a temperature of 20 to 28˚C. The drying soil is moistened with settled warm water using a spray bottle. After about three weeks, rooted cuttings are transplanted into separate pots.

This flower crop is rarely propagated by seeds at home. If you decide to collect the seed yourself, then artificial pollination should be carried out. To carry out the procedure, pollen is collected from the stamens using a cotton swab and transferred to the pistils.

On such a plant, after flowering, small seed pods are formed, having the configuration of an onion. They are collected, dried in the room on white paper, and then transferred to a paper bag.

If necessary, seed material is purchased in specialized salons. To facilitate germination, you need to keep the grains in the refrigerator for three months, creating conditions for stratification. Then prepare a container with a loose substrate, which is moistened and the seeds are laid out, slightly deepened and sprinkled thin layer soil.

Moisten the surface and cover the container with film. To avoid mold, ventilate the miniature greenhouse daily. When the first leaves develop, the seedlings are planted in separate pots. Soil mixture prepared in the same way as for transplantation.

Possible diseases and methods of treating them

The list of measures for caring for a magnificent poinsettia includes ways to combat certain diseases and pests:

• If you notice browned shoots, indicating the development of fusarium, you should treat them with Fitosporin.
• From powdery mildew, which manifests itself in the form of a whitish loose coating, use the fungicide Topaz or Skor.
• Gray rot, which appears due to excessive waterlogging of the soil substrate, gradually affects all parts of the plant. To combat this disease, the fungicide Fundazol is used.
• The presence of spider mites can be detected by examining the underside of leaf blades by looking at the light whitish web. You need to wipe all the leaves with warm water. Actofit and Fitoverm are used for irrigation.
• When damaged by thrips, oblong marks with wavy edges are noticeable on the leaves. The insecticide Aktara is used for control.

To prevent disease outbreaks and minimize the presence of harmful insects, you need to follow the watering regime and maintain optimal humidity.

Price of plant and seeds

Poinsettias are often purchased in pots. IN in bloom manages to comprehensively evaluate decorative characteristics. The cost depends on the diameter of the pot and the height of the plant and varies from 200 to 1200 rubles per plant. You can buy seeds of the desired variety. average price 100 pieces are 220 - 350 rubles.

When done correctly managed care, preventing irritating juice from coming into contact with the mucous membranes and skin, poinsettia becomes bright accent V winter season. Its bracts, distinguished by a variety of shades, surround the inflorescences that bloom for the New Year holidays, adding an elegant decorative touch to any interior.

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Conifer tree or shrubs on the site is always great, but a lot of conifers is even better. Emerald needles of various shades decorate the garden at any time of the year, and phytoncides and essential oils, released by plants, not only aromatize, but also make the air cleaner. As a rule, most zoned mature conifers are considered very unpretentious trees and shrubs. But young seedlings are much more capricious and require proper care and attention.

Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics in the canopy flowering trees have long become an integral attribute of welcoming spring in the Land of the Rising Sun. The financial and academic year here begins on April 1, when the magnificent cherry blossoms bloom. Therefore, many significant moments in the life of the Japanese take place under the sign of their flowering. But sakura also grows well in cooler regions - certain species can be successfully grown even in Siberia.

I am very interested in analyzing how people's tastes and preferences for certain foods have changed over the centuries. What was once considered tasty and was an object of trade, lost its value over time and, conversely, new fruit crops conquered their markets. Quince has been cultivated for more than 4 thousand years! And even in the 1st century B.C. e. About 6 varieties of quince were known, and even then methods of its propagation and cultivation were described.

Delight your family and prepare themed cottage cheese cookies in the shape of Easter eggs! Your children will be happy to take part in the process - sift the flour, combine all the necessary ingredients, knead the dough and cut out intricate figures. Then they will watch with admiration as pieces of dough turn into real Easter eggs, and then with the same enthusiasm they will eat them with milk or tea. How to make such original cookies for Easter, read our step by step recipe!

Among tuberous crops, there are not so many decorative deciduous favorites. And caladium is a true star among the variegated inhabitants of interiors. Not everyone can decide to own a caladium. This plant is demanding, and first of all, it requires care. But still, rumors about the extraordinary capriciousness of caladiums are never justified. Attention and care can avoid any difficulties when growing caladiums. And the plant can almost always forgive small mistakes.

We have prepared a hearty, incredibly appetizing and simply easy-to-prepare dish for you today. This sauce is one hundred percent universal, as it goes with every side dish: vegetables, pasta, or anything. Chicken and mushroom gravy will save you in moments when you don’t have time or don’t want to think too much about what to cook. Take your favorite side dish (you can do this in advance so everything is hot), add some gravy and dinner is ready! A real lifesaver.

Poinsettias begin to appear on sale closer to Christmas. This flower is associated specifically with the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is due to the fact that purple flowers Poisettias appear right at this time of year. This is where the second name of the most beautiful Poinsettia came from - “Christmas Star”. Moreover, its inflorescences look so much like bright stars. This plant is also called the “Christmas miracle”, “star of Bethlehem”, “most beautiful spurge”.

Poinsettia belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Its natural habitats are Mexico, Guatemala and other parts of Central America. There the flower can be found on the damp, shady slopes of the mountains. Poinsettia was known to the ancient Aztecs. They used the dye extracted from scarlet bracts for their war paint and dyeing fabrics, and the milky juice was used for medicinal purposes.

• In the wild, the plant grows up to 3 meters in height, but can be half that size. The growth form of poinsettia is bushy.
• The leaves are dark green, oval, pointed at the end, and in some species have slight pubescence. They grow quite large, up to 10-15 cm in length.
• What many people mistake for poinsettia flowers are just bracts. The flowers themselves are small, yellow color, assembled into a socket.
• U wild plant bracts are red. Flower selection has made it possible to obtain other colors: white, yellow and two-color. It is the bracts that make poinsettias so decorative.
• Flowering occurs from December to February, after which the plant is most often thrown away, used as a disposable bouquet.

Popular varieties

Growing and flowering conditions

Even if you buy a plant for just a few months and do not intend to keep it, it needs to be created in a comfortable environment in the house. Some people feel sorry for throwing away a flower and they decide to extend its life and get it to bloom again at home. Let's talk about how to achieve this.

For the “Christmas miracle” to bloom, certain conditions must be created, namely, short daylight hours. It is recommended to do this starting in mid-October. This is not difficult to achieve, but it requires regularity. Every day the plant is removed to a dark place, starting from 18-00 to 8-00 in the morning.

It could be a closet or just closed cabinet. You can do it differently by providing the plant with darkness under a black thick bag. This procedure promotes the formation of flower buds. The short daylight period should last 2.5 months.

In December, flower buds will begin to develop, and the bracts will gradually change their color. " Star of Bethlehem» stop darkening, reduce fertilizing and place the flower pot in a bright, warm place with a temperature of 20°C, providing it with regular watering with warm water. Now this symbol of Christmas will definitely delight everyone with its elegant appearance.

Poinsettia has bloomed, what to do?

The “Christmas star” fades in early March. If you want to save it until the next flowering, watering is gradually reduced, the flower dries out and sheds its leaves and enters the dormant stage.

The shoots are cut to half their length and the pot with the plant is removed to a cool, dark place (for example, a basement), where it is kept at a temperature of 10°C. Poinsettia should be watered rarely and sparingly so that the earthen ball does not dry out completely. The rest period lasts 1.5-2 months.

Poinsettia (Christmas star): home care

Not everyone knows how to ensure this exotic plant, like poinsettia, proper care. Meanwhile, there is nothing complicated about this, especially if there is information on how to handle it correctly.

Poinsettia comes into the house on the eve of the Christmas holidays in its most active stage - at the time of flowering. The bush should be well formed and have a large number of leaves. The bracts should be brightly colored, do not take greenish ones.

Helpful advice! When choosing a plant, inspect it and buy a specimen on which no traces of pollen are yet visible - such a flower will last longer in the festive decoration.

Check how healthy the plant is: whether there are dry or curled leaves, dark spots, traces of pests, or mechanical damage. Do not buy a flooded plant; its roots may become rotten. It is better to choose an adult bush that is 2-3 times larger than the pot - such a plant looks more impressive. When transporting, poinsettia must be well packaged to protect it from the cold.

Give the flower time to adapt to your home. Postpone replanting until spring, when the plant has finished blooming. Place it on a bright window and keep it at a temperature of 18-20°. If the thermometer falls below 14°C, the bush will die. To make flowering last longer, it is recommended to provide lighting.

The first days after purchasing the “Christmas star” it is better not to water it, but to spray its leaves, trying not to get it on the bracts. A little later, watering resumed

The lighting near the plant is left for the entire flowering period. Suitable for this Fluorescent Lamp or a special lamp for plants. Care should be taken to avoid drafts, temperature changes, proximity to heating devices - all this will negatively affect the poinsettia.

On a note! To increase air humidity, spray the flower itself and the air around it daily with a fine spray, avoiding drops of water getting on the bracts.

Watering in winter should be moderate. You need to wait until the top layer of soil in the pot dries and only then water the flower. It is advisable to leave water for irrigation for at least 2 days. The soil in the pot is spilled to the bottom, excess water is drained from the pan after a few minutes.

This is important to know! If you have dried out the earthen ball and the leaves of the poinsettia have lost their elasticity, you should not water it abundantly. First, moderately moisten the soil, and after a while, water the flower again.

In May, after the dormant phase, the poinsettia begins to be watered, increasing the volume of water with each watering. This will stimulate the growth of green mass. The higher the air temperature in summer, the more often the plant is watered.

Fertilizers for the “Christmas star” begin to be applied after exiting the dormant period and continue until the start of the next resting phase. Thus, the period when poinsettia is fertilized lasts 10 months a year - from May to February.

Fertilizer is applied every two weeks immediately after watering. Mineral complexes, organic matter, and fertilizers based on vermicompost are used as fertilizing. They can be alternated with each other.

How to grow poinsettia: video

Poinsettias are pruned once a year, before the plant is sent to rest. The signal to begin the procedure is wilting and loss of leaves. Out of ignorance, it may seem that the plant is dying, but this is not true.

Each shoot is shortened so that there are 3 to 5 dormant buds left on it. In the future, young stems with an abundance of new leaves will grow from them again, the bush will be renewed, compact in shape. To form a strong bush, 5-6 shoots are left on it, no more. To prevent the plant from growing excessively over the summer, the crown can be pinched from time to time, but only until August. Then the laying of future inflorescences begins.

There is no point in replanting poinsettias until the dormant period is over. It must be replanted before active growth begins. Start the procedure as soon as new leaves appear on the shoots. The soil must have neutral acidity; the following components are used for it:

• 3 parts loam or turf soil;
• 2 parts leaf soil;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand.

On a note! The sand should be coarse; small grains of sand make the soil less breathable.

In order not to disturb the roots of the flower too much by replanting, do it using the method of transferring an earthen clod, carefully shaking off pieces of soil from the lowest roots and from the top layer. The new pot should be a couple of centimeters larger in diameter and height.

Be sure to place expanded clay drainage at the bottom. Then add some soil and place the plant vertically in a new container. Add soil little by little near the walls, filling the pot to the top. On final stage the soil needs to be lightly compacted and watered.

Spring pruning and replanting of poinsettia: video

Poinsettia can reproduce by seeds and vegetative way. At home, the seed method is practically not used due to its inexpediency. In its natural habitat, the seeds of the plant are carried by the wind, after which new specimens appear on the mountain slopes. By artificial means It is very difficult to achieve seed germination, so gardeners propagate poinsettia by cuttings.

The youngest shoots are selected for cutting cuttings. It is best to cut the crown to 7 cm with 3-5 developed buds. The cut is made directly under the node. Cuttings should be washed in warm water, so that the milky sap does not form a film that interferes with the formation of roots, and then place it in a solution of a growth stimulator for 12 hours. Before planting, the cut is treated with crushed coal to prevent rotting.

• In a container with a substrate, the cuttings are buried no more than 1 centimeter.
• The soil for planting should be loose and fertile, with a drainage layer underneath.
• The container is placed in a bright and warm place, inaccessible bright sun and covered with film, creating a greenhouse effect.
• The soil is regularly moistened by spraying, and the shelter is raised in order to ventilate the seedlings.

The roots appear in about a month. From this moment, the growth of the above-ground part of the plant begins. As the bushes grow, they are transplanted into large capacity, and the growing shoots are pinched, forming a compact, lush crown of the poinsettia.

Poinsettias are characterized by many diseases that are common to all plants, but there are also specific diseases. What is wrong with the “Christmas miracle”?

Among the pests found on poinsettias are: thrips, scale insects, aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. The earlier pests are noticed, the easier it is to get rid of them. It is necessary to treat with a soap solution 2-3 times with an interval of 7 days.

Against scale insects and scale insects, you can spray the bush with mineral oil - the pests will suffocate under the oil film. If these measures do not help, insecticides such as “Atkara”, “Commander”, “Iskra” and others are used.

Growing problems

Problems with appearance and plant health can be caused by improper care.

If the leaves turn yellow at the edges, then turn brown and fall off, the problem is the salinity of the soil. This is caused by watering with too hard water and infrequent replanting, which causes harmful impurities to accumulate in the substrate. Water for irrigation must be settled, or melted water must be used. rainwater.

The cause may also be too dry air in the room, waterlogging or drying out of the soil, lack of lighting, or too sharp a temperature change. In addition to the above, natural causes lead to yellowing and falling leaves - when at the end of February the plant prepares for rest, it sheds its leaves and enters the dormant stage.

To change the color of the bracts, the poinsettia must be kept in a short daylight regime for 2 months. We told you how to do this above. Without this, its leaves will remain green, alas.

It happens that the bracts turn red, but in some places they remain green and have an uneven color - this is caused by temperature changes during the coloring period. Maintain a stable temperature, do not open the window on the window where the poinsettia is located, and do not move it from one room to another.

In addition to natural causes, when the plant is preparing to rest, leaf wilting can occur due to insufficient watering. It is enough to saturate the soil with moisture and the leaves will fill up and regain their turgor.

By wilting the leaves, poinsettia can react to a sharp temperature change, burn of the roots with fertilizer (fertilize only during wet soil). In general, the flower reacts negatively to all sudden changes. Keep it at the same temperature, organize proper watering, give a lot of light - and everything will be fine.

It is believed that if a purchased poinsettia in a house immediately turns yellow and begins to die, this means that someone has cast a spell on the owners of the apartment or has put the evil eye on them. The most beautiful euphorbia is a very sensitive flower, one might say “capricious”. That's why it reads any negative information and heavy energy. If the brought plant, on the contrary, grows and bursts with beauty, the sign interprets this as the presence of complete well-being in the house.

From the point of view of Feng Shui, poinsettias belong in the newlyweds’ bedroom. Then the marriage will be happy and the spouses will soon have offspring. This plant will protect newlyweds from cheating, and will give the wife exciting sexuality and feminine charm. There is simply no need for the husband to look at other women.

Since flowers are most often given on new year holidays, it is associated with the miracle of Christmas and a bright, cheerful New Year's feast, which means it is already able to lift your spirits and delight with its tropical beauty.