Growing La Flor de Nochebuena outside (Poinsettias)
We are used to seeing Poinsettias only at Christmas in the U.S. and Canada. But Poinsettias are indigenous to Mexico – they started here and grow like crazy outside. In a short time, you can have a ten-foot-tall plant in your garden and more next year.
Around thanksgiving, you will see viveros (plant nurseries) full of the beautiful plants in all colors and variations – red, white, pink and variegated. Los Pinos Vivero has an amazing selection, some for every budget. They also sell to hotels, so it is worth a trip just to see the display.
So once the holiday season is over, don’t discard your poinsettias, but plant them in your Yucatan Garden. Follow these suggestions for beautiful color every year:
- Be sure you buy plants that have been grown locally, not in a greenhouse and shipped in. To plant outside, the plants must be used to the weather or the shock will damage them. Some chain stores, like Home Depot, bring in lots of flowers but they are not taken care of and not used to the outside as most originate in controlled green houses. These are pretty to look at; but if you want to plant the flower after Christmas, do not buy there. Los Pinos Vivero on the north side of Playa has not let us down.
- Plant them in a sunny location protected from strong winds that can break the delicate stems.
- Look for slightly acid soil or add amenities to the soil. Old tree bark and jungle dirt will work.
- Be sure the plant is well drained or it will get root rot.
- After enjoying your poinsettia inside, prepare for outside planting by pruning the dead leaves back to two buds or more, depending on the size of the plant.
- When the leaves start growing, water and feed the plant. In the spring, pinch the new growth back to make it bushier. The cycles of the light and dark in autumn will cause the plant to have the color you want.
- Remember, the plants can grow ten feet tall, so allow room and enjoy them next year!
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