Poinsettias - that most beautiful of Christmas flowers - are considered by many to be the ideal holiday gift!  It doesn't matter how many poinsettias your hostess already has; another one will contribute wonderfully to the décor.  Years ago, poinsettias were extremely fragile, were only available in red and didn't live long after the holidays.  Thanks to research and breeding, however, today's cultivars are stronger, larger, longer-lasting, less light-sensitive and with proper care will continue to brighten the home well into spring.

Did you know that several high schools in New Hampshire grow and sell poinsettias?  Many of the sixteen agricultural education programs in the Granite State have greenhouses, with at least half of them growing this plant.  One such program is at Winnisquam Regional High School in Tilton, where students grow poinsettias from tiny cuttings purchased in August.  Throughout the process, students learn about the care of these beauties, including light and water requirements, fertilization, insect control and temperature needs.

Poinsettias provide plenty of chances to teach math and science.  From determining a production schedule, which includes calculating flower initiation dates, vegetative growth requirements, pinching & transplanting dates and fertilizer ratios to learning about photoperiods, the poinsettia provides an excellent opportunity for student education.

When displaying a poinsettia in the home, it is important to pay a bit of attention to its environment.  Keep it away from drafts and heat sources, make sure it gets at least six hours a day of bright natural sunlight, and water it when the soil feels just dry to the touch.  Poinsettias do best when daytime temperatures remain below 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and above 60 degrees at night.

With careful care, the average poinsettia owner can keep his or her plant healthy and beautiful for many months.  When the colored bracts, or leaves, begin to turn dark or fall off (by early April), cut the stems back to about half their length.  Keep the plant near a sunny window, and, with regular water and fertilizer, you will see new growth by the end of May.

As autumn nears and nights become longer, the poinsettia will begin to set buds and produce color.  In this region of the country, these long-night plants need natural darkness for approximately 12 hours per day beginning October 1^st.  Today's cultivars are not as light-sensitive as those of old, but exposure to artificial light may still prevent timely color development.  A dark room or a large box placed over the plant at night will help ensure the proper reflowering of the plant.  Make sure the poinsettia has 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight every day with night temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  After 8 to 10 weeks of this tender loving care, your poinsettia should once again be beautiful in time for the holidays!