Getting Poinsettia to bloom

I have just started to shut my poinsettia away in the dark for 16 hours a day to get it to "bloom" by December. I'm likely to be away for 2 or 3 days at times between now and December. What should I do with it on these occasions? Keep it in the dark or the light (or is it vital it gets the change in light every 24 hours)?

 

I've just put mine in the greenhouse where it gets normal day length, must admit I've not tried it before.
I'm kind of hoping you only have to mess around if you are growing it as a house plant where it would get lights turning on and off in the evenings.

 

I found this particularly useful.

Poinsettias: Year after Year | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future..

 

I reach 14hours of night on the 27th October.

 

When we lived in Spain I had a Poinsettia that I managed to get to reflower every year for 3 or 4 years! Even back here in the UK I've managed to get one to flower a 2nd year!

So as to remember when to start putting it in a light proof place I used to do it the week the kids went back to school after the summer holidays, that is the first week in September. I used to bring it out during the day but was strict in putting away in the early evening.

I've also killed a couple of plants from overwatering! One of the problems is that when you buy them the compost gets dry very quickly & you have to be on top of them to make sure they don't dry out. As I put them in saucers on the living room table it's easy to forget to empty any excess water out after an hour or two which is what happened to me & caused them to rot! :(

 

@Ossie Welcome to Gardener's Corner!

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm actually quite happy about the procedure; I've currently got a happy, bushy plant and know what I should be doing re giving it the requisite hours of darkness to trigger blooming.
My problem is that I'm not going to be at home every day to do this, there will occasionally be up to 3/4 days at a time when I'll be away from home. I think my best option will probably be to leave it in the living room with the curtains closed (they're quite light) so it still gets some distinction between light/dark.

 

Welcome Ossie.

I believe I am the only person on the forum who has one living outside in the ground ... since c2005! It gets no special treatment except cut back to a meter high in March.

I don't believe in putting them in dark cupboards for months on end. I think your idea will be good in your situation. Good luck.

 

@Victoria, that is why I'm just trying to leave it in the greenhouse where it will get natural light and day length.
Only wonder if it might mean it flowering later perhaps too late for Christmas.

 

Looked back and mine blooms late October to early March (slim pickings beginning and end). That is also during our 'rain season', should we get it, and through our cold months (no frost) January to March.

 

Slim Pickings, reminds me of old westerns.
Well I'll see what happens with mine, biggest worry is it might not be warm enough for it.

 

Perhaps fleece the pot only and put it in the sunniest corner. Don't let it totally dry out for long. Even if it is cold here, we do have lots of sun..

 

@Victoria You are also the only one living in a relatively warm climate - not like us here already freezing our B* off! (not literally, not yet at least! )

 

Heading in the right direction

 

Well done, you are getting there.