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1. Care in the Home
Poinsettias should be in the best light
possible. Poor light means less color. Protect your plant from sudden
temperature changes. To prevent leaf drop, keep plants cool. Avoid warm, dry air.
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2. Watering
Do not allow plants to dry out! Keep moist but not soggy. Water thoroughly by allowing water to
run through the plant for at least a minute - completely saturating the entire root mass. Taking
plants from your display area and watering them in the kitchen sink is advisable.
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3. After Bloom Care
When leaves fall in late winter (Jan. - Mar.), cut back plant to six inches above soil level, leaving
at least three leaf nodes on each stem. Water sparingly.
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4. Repotting
When new shoots start to develop, take plant out of the pot and transplant into a
slightly larger pot using a mix of 1/2 Roger's Potting Soil and 1/2 peat moss and Roger's Soil Activator.
Set pot outdoors in sun when all danger of frost has passed.
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5. Transplanting
When new shoots start to develop, transplant to a garden bed in a protected
area along a south wall in full sun.
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6. Fertilizer & Water
Water and fertilize regularly using Roger's Flower Food. Do not fertilize until plant is
established at least 2 weeks after repotting or transplanting.
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7. Pruning & Shaping
To develop bushy plants, cut back about July 4th (cut the new growth back about 6 inches from old stems).
Then, pinch the new growth every 6 weeks thereafter to develop twice as many stems and foliage.
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8. For Blooms Next Year
To set buds so flowers will develop in the fall of the year, your plants must have long nights.
Beginning Oct. 1st, a minimum of fourteen hours of complete darkness each night is required.
A street light or even a lighted match will interrupt the beauty sleep and prevent or delay
flower development. The 14-hour night procedure should continue until about December 1st.
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9. For Indoor Containers
a dark closet or light-proof box is a good place to start the flowering cycle.
Remember to bring them into the light every morning.
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10. For Outdoor Containers
or plants in the ground, cover each day at sunset with a double layer
of opaque garbage bags. Then give them sun each morning.
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