Transcript Poinsettias
Potted Plants Poinsettias Topic #2173 Nick Wendling The Poinsettia • The flower is small and yellow • The flower is located in the bracts • Bracts are the leaves that give the poinsettia their color • Poinsettias need short days to develop the flower, which is necessary for bract coloring. The Poinsettia • Poinsettias should be grown in full sunlight during long days to develop leaves and increase stem length. • The plant develops the flower buds naturally during late Sept. and early Oct. • The bracts get their color in Nov. and Dec. The Poinsettia • http://www.poinsettiaonline.com/stores/webpage.cfm?WebPage_ID=14&DID=30 Greenhouse Management • Factors to Consider – – – – – Light Temperature Moisture Ventilation Climate http://www.igcusa.com/ghse.htm Light • The greenhouse should be located to receive maximum available sunlight. Temperature • Day temperature 5 to 10 degrees higher than night temperature. • Night temp should be 65 degrees with day temp being around 70-75 degrees. Moisture • Plant growth is dependent on moisture • Watering helps to carry dissolved nutrients to the plant. • The amount needed is dependent on the outside conditions. (sunshine or clouds) Ventilation • Ventilation is the movement and exchange of air in the greenhouse. • This ensures proper temperature throughout the greenhouse. • Helps control relative humidity and plant diseases. Planting and Spacing • Poinsettias can be grown in any size pot. • The size of the pot will determine the overall size the plant will grow to. • In larger pot sizes, often more than one plant is planted. (3 plants in a 6in pot or bigger) Pinching • • • • Removal of the terminal bud Four or five nodes should remain Increases the number of bracts per plant Causes the plant to be fuller Soil Mixes • Needs to be porous and well drained • Soil should be free of insects and diseases • Soil should be sterilized at 180 degrees for thirty minutes. Fertility • Poinsettias require a regular fertility program • Use a complete fertilizer (contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) • 20-10-20 is a commonly used formulation Growth Regulator • Control the height of plant so it stays a marketable height. • Enhance the color of the bracts so it is more desirable. Insects • Common insects are whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats • Can be controlled by chemicals • IPM methods can be used for control • Keep the greenhouse clean to prevent insect in the first place http://www.corkyspest.com/mealybugs.html Disease • Common diseases are root rot and powdery mildew. • Can be controlled by use of fungicides • Ensuring the soil is clean before planting is best way to prevent disease.