Well friends,I need your help. My friend gave me this Pointsetta last year and its been doing great. Getting close to the Holidays I would like it to bloom again. I'm not sure why some leaves are turning red. Is this the beginning of the blooms,or should I be doing something. I added a picture to help you GREAT people out. Sleep Warm ed need help ( photo / image / picture from Edlou8181's Garden )
The red leaves are what most of us think of as poinsettia blooms. Actually, the little yellow balls in the center are the blossoms, and the leaves are just that--leaves. It looks like you have succeeded with your poinsettia--red at just the right time of year! (This is posted by a person who has killed many poinsettias, and never succeeded in getting one to bloom again).
Poinsettia do not have actual flowers, the leaves turning red are the colored brackets that everyone thinks of as blooms. Your plant is doing what it is supposed to do and from the looks of how healthy it is, it will be a real beauty in a little while. Keep it in a light place from 8a.m. to 5 pm and a dark place from 5 pm to 8 am and inside on frosty days and nights. You have done a great job of keeping it alive all year.
Ed, You are doing it exactly "right". These are what are called the bracts of the plant. They are what we "see" as the flower of the plant, but are really a specialized leaf. The actual flower is very insignificant. Keep enjoying the season.
You have a real beauty there Ed and are obviously doing everything right for it. Do let us see it again when all the bracts have turned red. I have a feeling it's going to be really lovely. :-D
Way to go Ed! I've never tried to "keep" one of these before. My mom kept one on the front porch for a few years. Hmmmm.... maybe I should give it a try?
