Q. What are the signs for picking out the freshest poinsettia in the stores? I need mine to last.
A. You are right that you can buy a poinsettia that will look great throughout the holiday season by choosing carefully. But you must learn something about the nature of the poinsettia plant.
What most folks consider the poinsettia “flower,” the beautiful red “blooms,” are not flower parts at all. The red “petals” are actually modified leaves, called bracts. That is why the red color, unlike flower petals, can last for months on end.
The health and freshness of the plant can be discovered by examining the true flower parts, which are found in the center of the circle of red bracts and also carefully evaluating the overall plant. First, check the green foliage. It should be bright green and full and almost cover the lower part of the plant. There should be no yellow or wilted-looking leaves.
Next you must examine the true flower parts. You will see small, almost tiny, green nubs in the center of the colored bracts. New poinsettia cultivars can have bracts of bright pink, pink and cream or white bracts, not just deep red. But all poinsettias have the same small buds in the center of the plant. If these little green nubs are tightly closed, shiny and moist-looking, you have a very fresh poinsettia. As the plant matures, these nubs open up and threadlike filaments become more visible. A plant with open or dry-looking nubs is starting on the downward blooming slope.
To keep your fresh plant and in the best condition, keep it away from drafts, that means no front hallway locations or near cold windows. Poinsettias like humidity and will drop leaves if placed near direct, drying heat. Place it instead in a bright, sunny location and keep the soil evenly moist. Remember that the leaves are moderately poisonous and the plant’s juices, the white liquid that oozes from bruised leaves, can be a skin irritant.