Christmas Star: Features of Care

Poinsetia is the most beautiful plant of the genus Molochia. In natural conditions it grows in Central America. Even the ancient Aztecs who lived on the territory of Mexico, the flower was a symbol of purity, because it grew in compost piles. And in modern society for the natural beauty and flowering on the eve of Christmas, the plant is called a "Christmas star".

It has small flowers gathered in bundles of cream color. Decorate the birch bark of bright colors - red, apricot, pink, white color. Bracts at the top of the plant are gathered in bundles that resemble a star in shape. The plant was very fond of the poet Boris Pasternak.

Christmas star: temperature and care

The optimal temperature for the development of punch is 20 degrees. At lower bracts begin to lose color saturation, and at below 10 degrees the roots die.

The development of the plant is affected by the humidity of the air, which, when rooted, should be about 90 percent, and in the vegetative period it is 60 percent. In addition, the flower does not like drafts, it needs sufficient illumination. During the vegetation, sunlight must fall before dinner, after which the plant will need diffuse bright lighting. The Christmas star develops well with a daylight duration of more than half a day. With less prolonged illumination, the color of the bracts begins to change. At the end of September, it is required to isolate the plant from any lighting that can enter the room at night, and within two months, the Poincetia must be in total darkness at night.

Christmas star: care watering

The roots of the plant are very sensitive to excessive moisture, but still a deficit of liquid will cause more damage than an overabundance. The frequency of irrigation depends on the condition of the soil. Humidification should be carried out with easy drying of the earth coma. The water temperature should not drop below the ambient temperature. If watered with cold water, the plant begins to discard the foliage. In addition, it must be ensured that the liquid does not stagnate in the pot. The minimum moistening should be between January and March.

Christmas Star: Fertilizer

For development of the flower, additional fertilizing is required. Every decade, it is necessary to make calcium nitrate with the addition of iron and molybdenum. For putansetia, foliar top dressings containing molybdenum are well suited. Spraying with special compounds will prevent diseases that result from micronutrient deficiencies.

If the Christmas star began to turn yellow, then it lacks nitrogen. With a deficiency of molybdenum, the leaves of the plant are twisted, when the sulfur is lacking, the young leaves turn yellow, and with a small amount of zinc the growth of new leaves slows down and it turns yellow completely.

Christmas Star: Reproduction

At home, the culture is propagated by the vegetative method. The best time for this is the spring months.