Every year as the holidays come to a close, people want to know how they can keep their poinsettias looking good and, eventually, replanting them.
Here are a few tips:

 Location, temperature
The poinsettia thrives on in-direct, natural daylight, and exposure to at  least six hours daily is recommended. If direct sun cannot be avoided,  diffuse with a light shade or sheer curtain.
To prolong the bright color  of the poinsettia bracts, daytime temperatures should not exceed 70  degrees F. Avoid placing the plants near drafts, excess heat, or the dry  air from appliances, fireplaces, or ventilating ducts.

Water and Fertilizer
Poinsettias require moderately moist soil. Water the plants thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Remove the plant from  decorative pots or covers, and water enough to completely saturate the  soil.
Do not allow the poinsettia to sit in any standing water; root rot  could result which could kill the plant. It is not necessary to  fertilize the poinsettia when it is in bloom.

Outside Placement
Since poinsettias are sensitive to cold weather, frost, and rain, outside placement during the winter months should be avoided. However,  in mild climates, an enclosed patio or entry way may be suitable,  provided the night temperatures do not drop below 55 degrees F. Make  certain the delicate bracts are well protected from wind and cold rain.

After the Holidays
Keep the plants in indirect sun and water regularly. Place your plants outdoors, where they can bask in the warmth of spring and summer, after outside night temperatures average 55 degrees F. or above.
When the bracts age and lose their aesthetic appeal, usually by late March or early April, cut the poinsettia back to about 8 inches in height.
By the end of May you should see vigorous new growth. Continue regular watering during the growth period. Fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the spring, summer, and fall months with a well-balanced, complete fertilizer.
Around June 1, you may transplant your poinsettias into larger pots. Select pots no more than 4 inches larger than the original  inner pot. A soil mix with a considerable amount of organic matter, such  as peat moss or leaf mold, is highly recommended.
If you wish, you may transplant the poinsettias into a well-prepared garden bed. Be sure the planting bed is rich in organic matter and has good drainage. Pruning  may be required during the summer to keep plants bushy and compact. Do not prune after Sept. 1.

Re-flowering
The poinsettia is a photoperiodic plant, meaning that it sets bud and produces flowers as the autumn nights lengthen. The plants will naturally come into full bloom during November or December, depending upon the flowering response-time of the individual cultivar.
Timing the bloom to coincide closely with the Christmas holiday can be difficult without the controlled environment of a greenhouse. Stray light of any kind, such as from outside street lights or household lamps, could delay or entirely halt the re-flowering process. Starting October 1, the plants must be kept in complete darkness for 14 continuous hours each night. Accomplish this by moving the plants to a totally dark room, or by covering them with a large box overnight. During October, November, and early December, the plants require 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight daily, with nighttime temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F.
Temperatures outside this range may delay flowering.
Continue the normal watering and fertilizer program. Following this regime for 8 to 10 weeks should result in a colorful display of blooms for the holiday season

Also, from the Quay County Extension Office, we hope you are having a very Merry Christmas and will enjoy a happy and prosperous New Year.
 
Tom Dominguez is an agent with the Quay County Extension, NMSU Extension Service. He can be reached by emailing todomingu@nmsu.edu or calling 461-0562.