Throughout the year many different tropical houseplants are available, whether it is a poinsettia at Christmas, an African Violet in the spring, or a Calla Lily in the summer. Often we enjoy these plants for a number of weeks and then are not sure what to do with them. They may be thrown away, or become forgotten amongst your other houseplants. But these plants, like many others, have plenty more enjoyment in them, given the right care!
Poinsettia’s can continue to bloom for many weeks after Christmas, (as I write this I note that my own is still full of colour and I expect it will remain this way for quite a few more weeks) and with the right care it can be enjoyed again next Christmas. Once your poinsettia has finished blooming you should keep it in a bright area of the home and continue to water it regularly. Towards the end of May cut it back to about 6” tall and repot it into the next size pot. Starting in mid September you will need to provide your poinsettia with 14 hours of complete and uninterrupted darkness overnight. You can place it in a closet, or some people have success using a box to cover it. The other ten hours of the day your poinsettia should receive bright, indirect light. In approximately ten weeks you will begin to see some colour on your plant and you can discontinue the night treatments.
Another popular seasonal plant is a Christmas Cactus. While not actually a cactus this plant does like similar care. Once it has finished blooming cut back on watering and allow the plant to dry out slightly as this will signal it to go dormant. Next your plant needs to go through a cool and dark period. Move it to a cooler room, or the basement, where it will be between 12-15C and have complete darkness at night. Keep the cactus there for approximately 4-6 weeks until buds are formed, then return it to its regular spot and resume regular watering. Your cactus should treat you to multiple blooms a year following this pattern.
Amaryllis bulbs have grown in popularity over the years as they are easy to bring into bloom and enjoy. Lucky for us they are also easy to rebloom! Once the flowers have finished and the main stalk has begun to sag cut the stalk down to just above the bulb nose. Continue to water and fertilize (with 20-20-20) all summer allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the leaves begin to yellow in late fall cut them back to two inches above the bulb. Place the plant in a cool (7C-16C), shaded area in your home for a minimum of 6 weeks, then repot in fresh soil approximately 8 weeks before you would like it to bloom. Move it to a warm, sunny location and water it once, and then not again until growth begins.
Don’t toss away these plants, give some of my tips a try and you will be enjoying them for a second time!
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