So I trimmed them back and moved them away from the window for a few months, until June. Repeat again when the new clusters have formed leaves 1 inch long. There are may reasons for pinching back … Many gardening experts have tips for pinching a plant, but few actually explain why. Poinsettias come in a range of colors from white to orange, but are most popular in their red variety. Any good quality all-purpose liquid plant food is suitable for feeding a poinsettia, although liquid or soluble food is by far the easiest to apply. Poinsettias do not require high levels of light, one of the reasons they are favored as a potted plant. The first “pinch” (I use pruners purchased from a garden center) should be done when the first shoots are several inches long. I have to admit, I’ve been slacking in the kitchen a bit this holiday season. This forces branching and produces new clusters of leaves at the end of each branch. Your poinsettia plant should have a rounded shape, with dense and compact growth. poinsettia, theimmatureleaves alsoplayanimportant rolein apical dominance. Pinch out the center leaves, allowing 4 to 5 leaves per cluster to grow. If it has grown since the last check, trim the stems back down to 6 inches (15 cm) or to your desired size, leaving 3 or 4 new leaves on the stems. This forces branching and produces new clusters of leaves at the end of each branch. The poinsettia plant is native to Central […] It'll take some work, but here are the rules for helping this decorative plant live to see another December. If it has grown since the last check, trim the stems back down to 6 inches (15 cm) or to your desired size, leaving 3 or 4 new leaves on the stems. Repeat again when the new clusters have formed leaves 1 inch long. If left unpinched, the poinsettia will grow tall and spindly. Cut the stems back so each stem has four leaves. Poinsettia Care After the Holidays. Pinch monthly until mid-September to give the plant time to form flowers and bloom at the right time. The plant needs to be “pinched” back periodically to control its height and to promote a fuller plant. Then, I will move them closer to a sunny window for a better growth, and I will pinch their tips every two weeks, to make them bushier. Nothing says Christmas quite like the poinsettia. The Aztecs in Mexico grew poinsettias, long before the first Europeans settled in the U.S. For this article I’ll focus on producing a pinched poinsettia. The flowers of the poinsettia are actually modified leaf structures called bracts. Why Do You Pinch Plants? 2. How do I keep poinsettias alive and thriving for next Christmas? How to Keep Poinsettias Growing To Next Christmas. So I trimmed them back and moved them away from the window for a few months, until June. If you want to keep that poinsettia you bought this year over until next year here's what to do. Check on your poinsettia once a month. Repeat again when the new clusters have formed leaves 1 inch long. So I trimmed them back and moved them away from the window for a few months, until June.