Caring for the advent star, poinsettia plant properly

When looking at a red or white poinsettia, who doesn't get stylish Christmassy feelings? The popular plant, which shows decorative star-shaped leaves, is being cultivated more and more as a classic Advent flower and is enjoying growing popularity. But how is the plant best cultivated so that the full blossoms unfold at the right time?

location and substrate

The Advent star originally comes from warm regions in South and Central America; Even in our latitudes, the plant does not tolerate cold or drafts. The following conditions apply to the ideal location:

• enough heat
• much brightness
• Temperatures between 15 and 22 °C
• a lot of sun

Even if the poinsettia prefers warm and sunny areas within the home, the plant should always be protected from the influence of direct sunlight. In addition, the plant must be protected from drafts. For this reason, a window sill that is frequently ventilated, for example, has not proven itself as a location. However, if the window is not opened that often, the window sill can also be used; then you should make sure that the bench is on the south side of the apartment and not directly above the heating. It's also important to limit exposure to direct sunlight; you can shade the window with a semi-translucent curtain. If the windowsill is wide, a leafy houseplant can also be placed between the poinsettia and the window to provide the necessary shade. In winter, the following points should be considered with regard to solar radiation:

• Sun during the morning and evening hours does no harm
• However, to form the flowers, the lighting should be restricted overall
• an exposure time of 12 hours must not be exceeded

So that the poinsettia can develop well, you should pay attention to a high-quality substrate. Well-drained and humus-rich soil is best suited for cultivation.

watering and fertilizing

Proper watering is one of the most important aspects of caring for the Advent star. For a constant water supply, it is important to water the plant regularly; the poinsettia should never dry out completely. However, the right pouring amount requires a certain amount of finesse; too much moisture easily leads to waterlogging, which damages the plant.

If too much water has been poured, the plant reacts with yellow leaves and general shedding of leaves. Then you should definitely reduce the watering quantity again! Otherwise, the poinsettia can also develop the symptoms of root rot. If root rot has already developed, watering must be stopped immediately; only when the substrate is completely dry can you start to carefully water the poinsettia again. In many cases, the Advent star can still be saved.

In order to avoid standing water and the development of root rot, you should always regularly remove excess liquid from the saucer. The use of a pot that has a drainage made of potsherds or pebbles is particularly effective. In addition to the correct amount of water, the ideal temperature of the water used also plays a role. Since the Advent star basically does not tolerate cold, you should always choose lukewarm, soft water for watering. Caring for the poinsettia also includes a targeted supply of nutrients. Whilst an already flowering specimen will not require any additional fertiliser, the plant should otherwise be fed very moderately during winter; fertilizer application every two weeks is sufficient.

Make the advent star bloom

In order to get the poinsettia to bloom, short days are needed above all. Plants from the previous year have to be tricked into this so that they can develop their full splendor just in time for Christmas. For this purpose, the experienced hobby gardener simulates favorable conditions: little light and short days. For this purpose, the plant is placed in a dark room for twelve hours over a period of six weeks; in this way you stimulate them to flower prematurely. But be careful: Light from outside, for example from a street lamp, can also impair flowering!

oversummer

The Christmas star is used around Christmas time; if you want to keep the plant for several years, you have to take care of an optimal oversummer. To ensure that the plant survives the warm season well, the following aspects should be considered:

• Cut all flowers and colored bracts in March
• Prune the plant back to about a third
• Store the crop in a light and warm location
• the outdoor area is also suitable as a location for the summer
• Fertilization is required once a week

During the summer, the poinsettia needs to be watered regularly; for this purpose the plant is supplied with plenty of water; water again only when the top layer of soil has dried. In this way, the natural living conditions of the plant are simulated, because in Central and South America the climate is characterized by alternating dry phases and heavy downpours. Last but not least, oversummer can also be used to propagate the poinsettia. For this purpose, top cuttings are taken from the plant in July or August.

diseases and pests

The poinsettia can be attacked by various diseases and pests; air that is too dry in particular can become a problem. If these unfavorable conditions are given, the plant is quickly attacked by scale insects or mealybugs. A soap-alcohol solution that is applied to the affected parts of the plant with a brush has proven itself as an antidote. Alternatively, you can also work with plant protection cones, which are simply stuck into the ground.

If the poinsettia is attacked by diseases, care errors are almost always the cause. For example, suddenly falling leaves are a clear sign of poor water management; either an excess of moisture or a lack of water can be responsible for the symptoms. A sudden change in temperature can also cause the leaves to fall off. On the other hand, if the hobby gardener observes that no colored bracts and no flowers are developing, a lack of darkening is almost always the cause.

Toxicity of Advent stars

Anyone who cultivates a poinsettia should know: the plant is poisonous. Especially if dogs or cats live in the house, caution is required; the four-legged friends could feel tempted to nibble on the decorative plant. - This can result in muscle cramps, salivation, tremors and vomiting, as well as diarrhea and kidney failure as the disease progresses. If the hobby gardener observes such symptoms on his pet, he should contact a veterinarian immediately; about two hours remain in which an antidote can be administered and the animal can be rescued.

Editor's conclusion

Anyone who cultivates a poinsettia provides a very special Christmas flair during the Advent season. The plant can easily be kept by laypeople. Who, last but not least, repeatedly makes it clear that this is a fundamentally poisonous plant acts and takes appropriate safety precautions, will enjoy the poinsettia have.

Worth knowing about the Advent star in brief

Care

• The red bracts of the Advent star are particularly beautiful.
• However, they will be shed after a few weeks that the plant has been in a room.
• Then the Advent star should get its necessary rest phase and hardly be watered.
• Before that, however, the entire plant is shortened by about half.
• In spring, the Advent star is then repotted in new potting soil.
• As soon as the temperatures allow, it can be placed outside.
• A semi-shady place on the terrace is best suited as a location for staying outdoors.
• There it is watered moderately and supplied with sufficient nutrients by a conventional flower fertilizer.
• However, fertilizing is not necessary during the first few weeks after repotting, as the new substrate contains sufficient nutrients.
• The plant is then brought back into the house in good time before the first night frosts.

heyday

• The advent star is a perennial plant that can reach a stately size over the years.
• In warm areas it even grows several meters high.
• It is therefore worth not simply throwing it away after flowering, but continuing to cultivate it in a bucket.
• The advent star is one of the short-day plants. Its flowering is favored by special conditions.
• For a period of time, it requires long nights in which it is dark for at least twelve hours.
• If this condition does not exist naturally, it must be created artificially.
• To do this, the plant can be placed in a dark room in the evening, which should then no longer be illuminated.
• Therefore, only a room that is no longer entered during the night hours is actually suitable for this.
• It is somewhat easier to create the necessary darkness with a cardboard box that is placed over the plant in the evening and removed again in the morning.
• In order for the poinsettia to bloom in time for the season, this procedure should be started between the end of September and the beginning of October.
• At the same time, fertilizing is stopped at this time.

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