How do poinsettias die?

Answer 1

Reaching the time allotted them or succumbing to environmental stress tends to be the two main reasons for the death of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima).

Specifically, poinsettias are perennial shrubs that therefore have the potential of living a couple of years in the native southwestern Mexican and Central American homelands. But outside their native range, poinsettias often do not survive even a year. For example, their biggest use is as ornamental plants for the Christmas holidays. So they are perceived as houseplants whose lifetime begins as a gift or purchase and ends with the New Year.

Nevertheless, growing numbers of buyers and gift recipients are looking into extending the live of their holiday poinsettias. The problem is that the conditions so vital to poinsettia well-being and survival must be met or else the consequences are fatal. For example, poinsettias need to grow in an environment that assures them the following:

1. Clean, fertile, well-aerated and well-drained soil that retains moisture without waterlogging;

2. Exposure to high intensity light from a protected position of light shade;

3. Humid air;

4. Light breezes that are not bruising to plant body parts or drying to soil;

5. Temperatures in the range of 60-80 degrees F/15.56-26.67 degrees C.

Otherwise, poinsettias are very susceptible to the bacteria, fungus and insect pests (mealybugs, root aphids, scale and spider mites) that are encouraged by yo-yo watering and by conditions of poor sanitation and drought.