just planted out my poinsettia

[InsideVoices]

Hey there, I know I'm a bit late to do this but I'm really chuffed with this plant as they normally go into the compost here... I've somehow managed not to kill this one since Christmas and when looking into it discovered that poinsettias normally lose their colour in January, however mine has amazingly kept it's red. Should

Sorry, my phone doesn't like my fingers today. Should I prune it back or have I left it too late? I really want to see if I can get it to go red again which I know involves the strict hours of daylight later in the year but I'm not sure if I should be removing leaves at this point? I can handle watering but cutting back of plants is next level gardening for me... many thanks :)

Hi, I have two poinsettias indoors from Christmas 2015! They both seem to be on different timelines though. They have both mostly kept their green leaves until recently. One has turned red again, while the other has dropped most of its leaves and now has lots of new shoots. They aren't much different in size to when I bought them but I haven't potted them up. I hadn't thought of putting them outside. Will be interested to hear how you get on.

It's hard to say whether it needs cutting back without a picture.

Sorry, I should have pics attached to this post... well done on getting one to go red again scotjls, I hope I can be as lucky! I repotted and then buried the pot in soil, I'm not sure if I had to but I'm sure I read to. I've only recently had plants start living under my care and like Jon Snow, I know nothing

It looks fine to me.
If you end up with straggly stems with leaves only on the end of them, cut it back about halfway down the stems.

Hello again, I've now entered phase two of my mission and thought I'd do a progress report :) The poinsettia has survived the summer (apart from a BMX pruning) and is now back in its original spot in a sunny upstairs window. Here is a current pic; it's been inside for about a month now and I think some of the leaves are a wee bit red... could be wishful thinking though! Thanks for the advice JeNeSuis, I let it be this year and if it's still alive next year, I will level up to pruning .

I was in Spain one christmas and the poinsettas were amazing. I have never had one before, any tips for a healthy plant? Is it too early to buy one now?

I think they'll be all over the shops in a few weeks 😉 I have tried to keep mine well watered and in a sunny spot but I'm now moving it to a darker place when the sun goes down as there's a streetlight opposite the window it's in and apparently any light can hamper the red leaves developing. I'm finding it hard to believe it's going to go as red as when it was shop fresh though!

Those leaves are definitely reddish. I've still got one from last year, the leaves are green and glossy. I didn't realise that I could plant it out or that the leaves might go red again. What do I need to do to make it go red?

It needs darkness overnight for about 14 hours so a pick a room you don't often use at night or pop it in a cupboard? Mine is in the bathroom and I put it behind the shower curtain each evening. I just had it on the windowsill which is south facing last year but I didn't get it till December so it was already red. Good luck!

I read that it has to have complete darkness for 14 hours, a minute less or even a chink of light will ruin it so a box should be placed over it and timed....I think I'll just buy a new one 😬