My plant is dying,plse help

Twinkles08

Hello,I'm after some advice plse as I am completely clueless about gardening and pot plants.My DH brought me a pot plant for christmas,I can' remember what it's called but it begins with P and has bright red big flower heads and is generally seen more around the christmas period.(plse forgive my ignorance!)my question is if anybody knows-how do I keep it thriving as the leaves are already turning light green (Prev forest colour green)?There were no instructions with it.It's so prettyHelp plse:o

littleredhen

i presume its a poinsettia

this might help

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/poinsettia-care.shtml

Twinkles08

Thank you!Yes this is it,I've always seen them around but never realised how pretty they are up close.I wasn't sure if it was a plant that I can kp that blooms every yr or not.I think hat might be a bit optimistic for my level of skill!lol.Thank you once again

amcluesent

No-one can keep a poinsettia going year-to-year, they are 'forced' to come good just for Xmas by the growers in the Holland. Enjoy while it lasts.

Farway

Twinkle, the "flower heads" are in reality red leaves and as amcluesent states, not really possible for amateurs to keep from year to year, they rely on light levels for the leaves to turn red, the Dutch have it down to a T, just nejoy while you can

lisa26_2

Try putting it somewhere dark for a few days.

Twinkles08

I see,ok at least it's not totally down to me that it's lost some of it's 'glory' from when I received it on christmas day.I felt so guilty!Thank you everyone for replying.I might pop it under the stairs in the dark for a bit.Ta

PharmaAl

I have kept mine for several years!

One Christmas it was dying so I pruned all the stems to just 6" high. It started to grow, I repotted it and it has been going ever since. Can't remember how long but at least 4 years. I repot it every year and it has small red bracts in the summer.

Looks pretty but not as good as one that has been forced for Christmas!

Also it's a talking point. Everyone asks what it is and are suprised that it's a poinsettia.

Norfolk_Jim

In the wild they grow huge, the pot ones are just babies. Prune it down as suggested above and give it a little rest, then water sparingly and it should send up some new shoots.
Take care pruning, the sticky white latex that oozes out isnt as poisonous as some say but it still isnt good for you.

Linda32

Once it appears to be growing again, try putting it in the dark at about tea time. You don't have to move it, you can put a dark bag over the top.

Its a "short day plant" abit of a bummer if you go to work during the day as you only see it on your days off. We have a placcy one which we bring out at christmas :rolleyes:

ALIBOBSY

I have a friend who says cut back when it dies in the early part of the year, then stick out in garden over summer and treat like any plant. Then 8 wks prior to crimbo it needs darkness/cold, so she sticks it in the garage for most of the day.
Bring back it for crimbo when the house heat will trigger it to flower.

Going to give this a go with mine this year and we will see lol.

ali x