Poinsettias
Don't forget to look out for the Bord Bia Quality Mark when buying Poinsettias this Christmas!
Over many years the poinsettia has become a classic, the perfect choice for decorating your home or as a thoughtful gift. It is now hard to imagine the Christmas season without poinsettias.
Growing Poinsettias
The poinsettia is a very difficult plant to grow successfully and is extremely specialised, requiring a skilful grower, scientific knowledge, special conditions, and constant monitoring.
There are four Irish producers of Poinsettias, who between them are growing over half a million of these festive plants. The growing season begins between the end of June and mid-July, when the plugs (young plants) are potted up in their commercial glasshouses, which are state of the art in terms of heat, light and humidity control. The plants are monitored continuously - and fed, watered, and pinched out to ensure good even growth, colour and health - a process which is highly labour intensive.
More about poinsettias
These Irish growers, collaborating with global plant breeders, have introduced improved poinsettia varieties featuring larger, more vibrant flowers. Red remains the most popular colour among the 95% of poinsettias produced in Ireland, although pink and cream options exist. The Poinsettia originated in South America, and are sensitive to the cold and chilly air, so don’t travel long distances in refrigerated trucks well, which means that the nearer they are grown to the retail outlet, the longer they will last in the home. Careful handling and specially designed packaging protect the plants during delivery to shops across the country.
Deliveries continue leading up to Christmas, after which a brief break is taken before spring bedding production ramps up. Because the Poinsettia doesn’t travel well, locally sourced Poinsettias are preferred (or better) than those that are shipped from further distances!
Tips for a thriving poinsettia
- Control temperature: Place in an area of constant room temperature of 16 - 22°C. Keep the plant away from radiators, cold windows & draughts.
- Hydrate: Like most house plants, too much water is just as bad as too little. A poinsettia will need enough water to keep the potting soil damp but not sodden.
- Light: Place the plant so it is exposed to indirect sunlight during the day.
- Don’t Move: Avoid moving the plant from different rooms and temperatures too often.
- Choose Local: The shorter travel time from plant nursery to your home will benefit this fragile plant, so look for the Bord Bia Quality Mark to guarantee its provenance.
- Aftercare: The plant can be kept after Christmas and its Bract (red leaves) will return the following year with regular care.
