| Kind of scary to cut my poinsettia back,but i know i must.Thank you for all your wonderful help and encouragement.Can't tell from the pics, but parts of the mid lower plant extend out quite far,with new growth obs.Can this be propogated once cut? I'd be lost w/o you! Thanks so much!!! Patti NY |
| Happy we were able to access the photos and guide you in the care of your poinsettia. Yes, I know, it's difficult to prune such a beautiful plant but you really should. It will respond with lots of healthy new growth and it will look full and flower nicely for you this coming winter. You can propagate poinsettias through cuttings. You'll need green rather than woody cuttings and I usually take my semi softwood cuttings in August but since you're pruning yours now you can certainly try to root the cuttings. Take supple stems (not woody ones) for your cuttings. The stems should be 4-6 inches long. Strip off the lower leaves but leave at least one pair of leaves at the top of the cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and set each cutting into moistened potting soil. Make sure at least one leaf node is buried in the potting soil. Roots will develop from the node. Keep the potting soil moist but not soggy wet. I'd use a single 4-6" pot and place several cuttings into the pot. Place the pot next to the mother plant so the cuttings get the same light and temperature as they did when they were still attached to the mom. You'll know your cuttings have rooted when you see new leaves developing on the cuttings. At that point you can pot each one up into its own containers. Good luck with your project! |
