Poinsettia success stories?

[0TheFool]

I think I’ve left this too late… but has anyone had any success turning a poinsettia red, and do you have any tips please? We have an unused room in the house so can manage enough dark in there but I’m not sure it’s bright enough during the day! This poinsettia was gifted to me last Christmas, it’s the first one I’ve kept alive!

Yes I’ve managed it once. Mine lived in the kitchen and literally all I did was got a big box that covered it completely and around 5/6pm every night I’d cover it with the box and took it off before I went to work the next morning.

now is the perfect time to start, it was fun. And fascinating to see it change. For the first couple of weeks it’s like nothing is happening then I noticed the stems darkening. It was much nicer than the shop ones too. A lovely dark colour.

we’ve since moved the radiators and I haven’t managed to keep one alive since. It was in a window above the radiator so got its warmth. They’re not very forgiving as a plant.

Thanks @Billybagpuss that helps! So I don’t think I will move it then since it’s happy where it is. I’ll hunt down a big box

What a great tip- thanks. So is the point that it just needs to be covered from light for 12 hours a day then? If it’s otherwise happy with temp and the rest of its environment leave all that the same?

I had a virgin wine delivery about this time and it was a perfect size.

Yes it just needs around 14 hours (I think) of total blackout.

Thank you! Will give it a go.

Ps I need Christmas pictures of your success 😍

I’ve got a wine delivery coming soon! But I think I’ll need to stick two boxes together, it’s quite tall. And I’ll have to convince the dogs the box is not for shredding 🤔

Mine was too high up for dog problems but did have a big sign on it for the young adults in the household saying ‘poinsettia going red DO NOT TOUCH on pain of death’ 🤣

I’m trying with a white one this year. It’s been about a week and already has paler spots on the leaves. The house is covered in post-it’s reminding me to box and unbox it though as my habits aren’t regular.

Let's not overlook your fabulous monstera, OP (if that's what it is, I can't quite see) 😍

Ha @Billybagpuss that’s a good point actually, I can see my kids lifting the box regularly to check progress 🤦‍♀️

@CarterBeatsTheDevil yes a monstera! I bought it in 2023 from Ikea, it’s really taken off!

Would love to see pictures of how everyone’s poinsettias are getting on.

Great tips, thanks.

The only time my shop-bought, already red, poinsettia did not instantly drop its leaves on entering my house, was the year I sat it on top of the boiler in the utility room.
So not exactly the point on it .

I may try for this next year.

Hmm despite setting alarms on my phone I have an only managed to put the plant into the designated dark cupboard once! Going to use this thread as motivation.. hope you’re all sticking to it!

I chickened out! Since I posted this it’s gotten another foot taller and wider, so a box isn’t practical because it’s on the huge side. I could put it in the garage which has a window and rarely ever has lights on… but it’s colder in there and it’s so happy where it is. I’ve never kept one alive this long let alone have it thrive!!