poinsettia [Jester Red]

Grow indoors in a loam-based potting compost with added bark and leaf mould in full light during winter, avoiding any draughts. Minimum temperature of 13-15°C during the flowering season. Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in December and January. So from November onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources. Water sparingly during growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10-14 days. See Poinsettia cultivation.

Prune back hard in April, to about 10cm

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer

Glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs may occur

May be affected by grey moulds