Neeli Reamer is The Roanoke Times' gardening columnist. Her column appears twice monthly in Extra.

Neeli Reamer

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About Neeli

Neeli Reamer is a Master Gardener who has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication and a master's degree in counseling, where she focused heavily on horticultural therapy techniques.

She believes gardening isn't about being perfect, it's about having fun.

But now that the holidays are winding down, what should you do with yours? Most varieties will remain attractive for several more weeks with proper care.

Poinsettias prefer at least six hours of indirect sunlight per day. Daytime temperatures of 60-70 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 55-60 degrees are ideal. Keep your poinsettia away from hot or cold drafts. Any exposure to freezing temperatures can cause damage.

Poinsettias need to be in containers that provide excellent drainage. Check the soil daily and water when it is dry. Never allow a poinsettia to sit in standing water. If your poinsettia is wrapped in decorative foil, remove the foil and allow the soil to completely drain.

Don't fertilize your poinsettia while it is in bloom -- it will put on a much better show this way.

Poinsettias' past

Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow into 10-foot tall shrubs. The Aztecs made dye and medicine from them.

Poinsettias were named after Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He brought the plants back to his home in Greenville, S.C., during the 1820s and gave them as gifts to friends.

We actually have a National Poinsettia Day every December 12. This date commemorates Poinsett's death on December 12, 1851.

The real flowers of poinsettias are the small, yellow, knobby bumps in the center of the bracts, or colorful leaves, of the plants. Poinsettias come in a range of colors -- the most popular of course, is red.

Poinsettia safety

There is a widespread belief that poinsettias are toxic, but it is not true. The myth can be traced back to 1919, when the child of a U.S. Army officer ate a poinsettia leaf and died soon after.

However, many studies have since been conducted and the poinsettia has been exonerated. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (www.aapcc.org), while ingesting poinsettias can cause "discomfort," they are not deadly hazards.

This doesn't mean you should eat your poinsettias or ever allow your children or pets to snack on them.

In some cases, contact with the milky sap of poinsettias can cause a mild skin rash. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you get sap on them.

Many houseplants, as well as outdoor plants such as yew, foxglove and rhododendron, are indeed poisonous. If you have any questions about poisonous plants, you can reach the poison center help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Will poinsettias reflower?

I must confess that my poinsettias land in the compost heap as soon as the holidays are over, but many talented gardeners keep the same poinsettias year after year.

After seeing a friend's beautiful, huge, old poinsettia re-bloom each Christmas, my mother tried to make hers reflower and was totally unsuccessful.

But if you are up for the challenge this year, wait until your poinsettia finishes blooming, then start feeding it with a water-soluble fertilizer, according to package directions, and follow this schedule:

In March, after the leaves fall, trim the poinsettia to 6-8 inches in height. Continue to provide the plant with water, fertilizer and a sunny location.

In May, after nighttime temperatures reach 60 degrees, repot your poinsettia in a slightly larger container and take it outdoors. Place it in a sunny spot, but protect it from the harsh afternoon sun. Gardeners in frost-free zones can plant their poinsettias permanently in the yard.

In Mid-July, prune the poinsettia back about halfway, leaving at least two or three large leaves on each stem. Water and fertilize regularly.

In early fall, before the temperature drops below 60 degrees, bring the plant back inside and put it near a sunny window. Inspect the plant carefully for pests.

From Oct. 1 through Dec. 15, place your poinsettia in total darkness from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., in temperatures about 65 degrees, to stimulate flowering and force blooms. A box or closet works well.

Any exposure to light during these hours, even for a moment, will ruin the entire process. Put the poinsettia in a sunny spot during the day.

In mid-December, continue to give the poinsettia six to eight hours of sunlight per day until the bracts are fully colored. Then, stop fertilizing and put the plant in its holiday location.

Even though my mother's initial poinsettia re-blooming effort failed, she is glad she made the attempt and is willing to try again in the future. "It's worth a shot because you may get something better than what you started with," she says.