Remove damaged or diseased leaves. A poinsettia plant pruned, pinched and placed outdoors after danger of spring frosts. Early summer pruning. Use a wastebasket or opaque box to keep the plant in darkness for 14 hours a day. Start October 1 and continue until color shows in top bracts.
Poinsettias require moderately moist soil.
Check plants daily and water thoroughly whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Plants in clay pots require more water, while those in plastic pots are easily overwatered. Apply water until it runs out the drainage hole. Do not allow poinsettias to sit in standing water. If the container is wrapped with foil, remove it when watering or make a hole in it for drainage.