Monday, December 14, 2020

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Prepare a Car for Winter Driving

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST

Freezing temperatures, falling snow, and icy roads can make driving in winter weather tricky. Don't worry, though! We've compiled the best tips to help you get your car ready for winter so that you can get wherever you're going safely.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]The Basics

  1. Air up your tires to the recommended PSI. Pull out your car's owner manual and see what the recommended tire pressure level is for your vehicle. Test the air pressure with an air pressure gauge, and compare the results to your car's recommended PSI. If the tire PSI is a bit lower than it should be, swing by a gas station to air your tires back up.[1]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • To be safe, check your tire pressure once a month to make sure everything looks good.
  2. Test your tires with a coin to see if there's enough tread. Grab a small coin that has a person engraved on the front, like an American quarter. Stick this coin in "head-first" between the tire treads and take a closer look. If you can see more than the top of the head sticking out, then you need to replace your tires.[2]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Your tires need a lot of treads so they can tackle the winter weather, like snow and ice.[3]
  3. Switch out your regular tires for winter tires if you can. Snow tires are thicker and have better treading than your average tires. If you're interested, stop by your local auto shop to give your car an upgrade.[4]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Snow tires are bulkier than normal tires, so your mechanic might need to make some adjustments to your car after the fact.
    • Look for snow tires with siping, or extra slits cut into the treads. This can give you a little more traction during the winter weather.
    • Look into getting tire chains if you live in a really snowy or icy area. These can give you some peace of mind when you're driving during the winter months.[5]
  4. Examine all your lights and replace any burned-out bulbs. Turn on your car and test all the interior and exterior lights. If any of these bulbs are burned out, stop by your local car supply shop to pick up a few replacements.[6]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • During the winter months, visibility on the road isn't always great. While you can't control how much light is outside, you can definitely test and replace any faulty lights in your car.
  5. Install new windshield wipers if your old ones look a little run-down. Replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months, especially if they're looking a little worse for wear. Pick up a new set from your local auto shop whenever your wipers start squeaking or sticking to the windshield.[7]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 5 Version 2.jpg
  6. Switch to wiper fluid designed for winter. Pick up a bottle of winter windshield wiper fluid from your local auto shop and refill the reservoir. You don't have to drain your reservoir completely—just top it off with the winter fluid, so you can keep your windshield clean throughout the winter.[8]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • In the winter, regular windshield cleaning fluid may freeze when it touches your window, which is very dangerous. Winter fluid is safe to use in the colder weather.

[Edit]Winter Maintenance

  1. Refuel your car often so there's always ½ tank of gas or more. Empty gas lines are more likely to freeze when the weather gets cold. Before driving anywhere, check your gas levels to see how fuel is in the tank. Throughout the winter months, try to keep your car at least halfway fueled, so your gas lines won't freeze over.[9]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 7 Version 2.jpg
  2. Top off your coolant if it's low. Pop open the hood and take a look at how much antifreeze your vehicle has.[10] If you're running low, refill the reservoir with a diluted mixture that's 60% antifreeze and 40% water.[11]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • Your antifreeze helps keep your car's radiator from freezing and keeps your car in working order.[12]
  3. Test your battery to make sure it's working. Grab a multimeter and set it to DC volts, so you can get an accurate reading. Clip the positive multimeter probe to the positive terminal on your battery, and the negative probe to the negative terminal. Check the multimeter and see what it says—if your reading is below 12.45 volts, then your battery needs to be recharged.[13]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Test your battery immediately after turning the car off for a more accurate reading.
    • Winter weather can put a lot of strain on your battery, so it's important to check out your battery ahead of time.[14]
  4. Check your car's heat and defrost settings. Turn on your vehicle and press the heating and defrost buttons. Feel around your car's heating vents and feel for warm air. If you don't feel any air coming out, bring your car to a mechanic to tune up the heating system.[15]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 10 Version 2.jpg
  5. Get your car inspected by a mechanic. Ask the mechanic to take a look at your car's fluids, brakes, tires, and battery.[16] A professional should also look over the fuel system, ignition system, belts, wipers, cooling system, lights, and oil to make sure everything's in tip-top shape for the winter weather.[17]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 11.jpg

[Edit]Before You Drive

  1. Pack a winter supply kit in the back of your car. Store a flashlight, a whistle, a first aid kit, a cell phone, extra medicine, several blankets, a charged cell phone, warm clothes, and 3 days' worth of food and water in your car before the winter weather hits. If your car should get stuck or stranded along the road, these supplies will keep you safe and warm while you wait for help to arrive.[18]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • Road flares and jumper cables are also useful to have on hand.[19]
    • Keep an extra ice scraper in the back of your car, just in case.
  2. Scrape off any ice or snow before leaving your home. Grab an ice scraper and get rid of any snow or ice that's stuck to the top of your car, as well as your windshield and side windows. Double-check that all the snow is cleared off, even from your trunk and roof.[20]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    • If ice or snow slips off your car while you're driving, you may put other drivers at risk.[21]
    • In some places, you can get in legal trouble if you don't clear off the snow and ice.
  3. Remove any snow or ice from the exhaust pipe. Squat down near your exhaust and take a peek inside. Scoop out any ice or snow that's clogging the pipe, so your car doesn't get filled with any noxious fumes.[22]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 14.jpg
    • If your exhaust pipes are a bit clogged up, carbon monoxide can potentially leak into your car.
  4. Avoid driving in any bad weather if you can. Tune into your local weather station to see if any blizzards, ice storms, or other icky weather are heading in your direction. If the weather isn't looking too great, stay home until the roads clear up a little more.[23]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 15.jpg
    • Winter weather can be really unpredictable. It's best to stay home whenever possible, even if you're a skilled driver.
    • If you end up driving in wintry weather, call up the friend, family member, co-worker, or any other person you're traveling to. Let them know that you're caught in some bad weather and that you'll probably be late.
    • Unfortunately, there's not much you can do if you're already on the road when a storm hits. If you get caught during some bad weather, do your best to drive safely.

[Edit]Tips

  • Run your car heater for a few minutes instead of leaving it on during the entire trip. This can help save you some gas in the long run.[24]
  • If you end up stuck on the side of the road, place reflective triangles behind your vehicle, so emergency services can find your vehicle more easily. You can also slip into a reflective vest.[25]
  • Your car's paint job might look a little worse for wear after being splattered with slush, road salt, and dirt. During the colder months, consider applying a coat of wax to help keep your car protected.[26]
  • Store important documents, like your car's registration, in a waterproof container, so they stay safe and dry during the winter weather.[27]
  • Secure your floor mats to the bottom of the car with retention clips. This way, they won't move around beneath your feet while you're driving.[28]

[Edit]Warnings

  • Don't panic if you get stuck in the snow. Call an emergency car service and stay bundled up in your car until help arrives. While you wait, tie something brightly-colored around your antenna, so emergency services can find you more easily.[29]

[Edit]References

  1. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-why-tires-go-flat-in-cold-weather/
  2. https://www.consumerreports.org/tires/make-sure-your-tires-have-enough-tread-for-winter/
  3. https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Winter/Pages/Winter-Preparation.aspx
  4. https://www.consumerreports.org/winter-driving/why-you-should-be-driving-on-winter-snow-tires/
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  6. https://www.ase.com/News-Events/Publications/Glove-Box-Tips/Getting-Your-Vehicle-Ready-For-Winter.aspx
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  8. https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  9. https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/winter/driving
  10. https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  11. https://www.autotraining.edu/blog/how-to-choose-the-perfect-antifreeze-for-winter/
  12. https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  13. https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-automotive-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-health-of-your-car-battery-20190212-story.html
  14. https://centralpenn.aaa.com/blog/how-maintain-your-car-battery-winter
  15. https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Winter/Pages/Winter-Preparation.aspx
  16. https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  17. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/prepare-your-vehicle-for-winter-driving
  18. https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494008826172-76da095c3a5d6502ec66e3b81d5bb12a/FEMA_2017_WinterStorm_HTP_FINAL.pdf
  19. https://www.weather.gov/ilx/winter_drive2_social
  20. https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/winter-prepardness.html
  21. https://www.npr.org/2015/03/03/390410217/not-clearing-the-snow-off-your-car-before-driving-could-cost-you
  22. https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  23. https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  24. https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  25. https://states.aarp.org/massachusetts/safety-tips-for-winter-driving
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  27. https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494008826172-76da095c3a5d6502ec66e3b81d5bb12a/FEMA_2017_WinterStorm_HTP_FINAL.pdf
  28. https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
  29. https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CDhxBq2fC

How to Make Herbal Bath Teas

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST

Herbal teas are remarkable for their distinctive aromas and calming properties. Depending on the ingredients, an herbal tea can soothe, relax, or energize you. Instead of drinking herbal tea, try soaking in it! Run a bath and toss in a tea bag full of dried herbs. Then, get in the tub and soak while your bath tea steeps. Breathe deeply and enjoy a naturally calming bathtime experience.

[Edit]Ingredients

[Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea

  • 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried comfrey
  • 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried alfalfa leaves
  • 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dried parsley
  • Peel from 1 lemon
  • Peel from 1 orange

Makes enough for 1 bath

[Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea

  • 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of dried lavender flowers
  • 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried chamomile flowers
  • 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves

Makes enough for 1 bath

[Edit]Skin-Nourishing Bath Tea

  • 1/8 cup (5 g) of lavender flowers
  • 1/8 cup (4 g) of chamomile buds
  • 1/8 cup of (4 g) of calendula buds
  • 2 cups (480 g) of Epsom salt or sea salt
  • 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (62 g) of powdered milk, optional
  • 15 to 20 drops essential oils of your choosing, optional

Makes enough for 5 baths

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea

  1. Peel 1 lemon and 1 orange. Rinse the fruit and use a vegetable peeler to cut away the peel from the lemon and orange. If you prefer, peel the fruit with your bare hands or use a small knife to carefully cut away the peel. Don't throw the peel away since you'll be using it for the bath tea.[1]

    Make Herbal Bath Teas Step 1.jpg
    • If you don't want citrus that's been treated with pesticides, purchase organic fruit.
    • You won't need the fruit itself for the bath teas.
  2. Put the peels in a muslin bag with comfrey, alfalfa, and parsley. Get out a large muslin tea bag and put the peels from the orange and lemon into it. Then, add 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried comfrey, 1 teaspoon (0.7 g) of dried alfalfa leaves, and 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dried parsley.[2]

    • Comfrey may reduce pain and manage inflammation, muscle strain, and arthritis while the citrus can lift your mood.
    • Parsley contains anti-inflammatory flavonoids that can calm an upset stomach.
  3. Tie the bag to the bathtub faucet. Pull away the drawstrings from the sides of the bag to close it and use the strings to tie the bag closed. Then, tie the strings to the tub's faucet so the tea bag hangs below it.[3]

    Make Herbal Bath Teas Step 3.jpg
    • If you prefer, toss the tea bag directly into the tub.
  4. Run a bath. Turn on the water so it's your preferred temperature and fill the tub as high as you would like. Then, turn off the faucet and untie the tea bag. Drop it into the tub and enjoy as you soak in your bath tea![4]

    Make Herbal Bath Teas Step 4.jpg
    • Discard the tea bag after 2 days since the tea will begin to mold.

[Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea

  1. Fill a tea bag with equal parts of dried lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. Get out a muslin tea bag with a drawstring or a disposable tea filter. Then, put 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of dried lavender flowers, 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried chamomile flowers, and 1 tablespoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves into the bag or filter.[5]

    • Lavender and chamomile are known for their soothing and relaxing qualities.
  2. Tie the bag or filter closed. If you're using a muslin tea bag, pull the drawstrings tightly and tie them together. If you're using a filter, use a piece of twine or a rubber band and wrap it tightly around the open end of the filter so the tea doesn't fall out.[6]

    • If you can't find any filters, put the tea into a clean sock. Then, tie the end of the sock closed so the tea stays in the bottom of the sock.
  3. Secure the bag to your tub's faucet. Use the bag's drawstrings or attach twine to the filter so you can tie the tea bag to the bathtub faucet. The water will flow from the faucet through the tea bag as you bath runs.[7]

    Make Herbal Bath Teas Step 7.jpg
  4. Fill the bath with water. Turn on your water and adjust the temperature until the water is as hot as you like. Keep running the water so the tub fills up with your sleepy time tea.

    • Check the water as you're filling the bath so you can adjust the temperature if needed.
  5. Remove the tea bag and toss it in the tub before you soak. Untie the drawstring or twine and squeeze the bag gently. Concentrated tea will fall into the bathwater. Then, drop the bag into the tub and get into your bath tea.[8]

    • To save the bath tea for another bath, remove the pouch and squeeze it. Let it dry completely and use it again within 2 days.
    • Throw away the tea bag after 2 days because it will mold.

[Edit]Skin-Nourishing Bath Tea

  1. Put the lavender, chamomile, calendula, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. Get out a mixing bowl and place 1/8 cup (5 g) of lavender flowers into it. Add 1/8 cup (4 g) of chamomile buds, 1/8 cup of (4 g) of calendula buds, 2 cups (480 g) of Epsom salt or sea salt, and 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda.[9]

    • Baking soda can soothe skin irritation and stop itching.
    • Epsom salt is known for relieving muscle aches and it can act as an exfoliant to slough off dead skin.
  2. Add 1/2 cup (62 g) of powdered milk if you'd like creamy bath tea. Although there's no research showing that milk baths can relieve itchy skin or moisturize it, milk has been a popular bath addition for centuries. If you'd like to try a creamy herbal bath tea, put the powdered milk into the bowl with the herbs, baking soda, and salt.[10]

    • If you don't feel like trying a creamy bath, you can leave it out.
  3. Include 15 to 20 drops of essential oil if you'd like a strong fragrance. Choose your favorite scents or look for essential oils that could help your skin type. For example, if you enjoy floral scents, use rose or geranium essential oils or if you have acne-prone skin, for instance, add tea tree oil to your bath tea. Research shows that this essential oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that could soothe your skin.[11]

    • Essential oils are never safe to apply directly to your skin, which is why diluting them in the bath is a good way to use them.
  4. Mix the tea and divide it between 5 muslin tea bags. Use a spoon or your hands to combine all of the herbal bath tea ingredients. Once the mixture is uniform, get out 5 muslin tea bags with drawstrings. Use a spoon or small scoop to divide the tea between each bag.[12]

    • If you don't have muslin bags, fill large disposable tea filters with the tea and tie them closed with twine.
  5. Run a bath and drop 1 filled bag in the water to steep. Fill your tub with water that's as hot as you like and place a tea bag in the water. Leave the bag in the bath while you soak. Try to soak for at least 20 to 30 minutes so you can relax and your skin can soften.

    • Use a new bag of herbal bath tea for each bath since the powdered milk, salt, and essential oils will dissolve completely in the bath.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

  • Play around with your favorite herbal combinations. You might want to write down which herbs you enjoy soaking in and note any effects you felt.

[Edit]Warnings

  • Although you could brew and drink these herbal infusions, you shouldn't drink bath tea that you've soaked in.
  • Avoid using herbal bath teas if you're pregnant or nursing. Your skin can absorb the tea and some ingredients haven't been proven safe for use during pregnancy.
  • If you're allergic to any of the ingredients listed for the herbal bath teas, don't use them.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Rejuvenating Bath Tea

  • Measuring spoons
  • Muslin tea bag
  • Vegetable peeler or small knife

[Edit]Sleepy Time Bath Tea

  • Measuring spoons
  • Muslin tea bag or disposable tea filter

[Edit]Skin-Soothing Bath Tea

  • Measuring cups
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon
  • Muslin tea bags or disposable tea filters
  • Airtight storage container

[Edit]References

How to Care for Poinsettias

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST

The Aztecs in Mexico grew poinsettias, long before the first Europeans settled in the U.S. It wasn't until 1825 that the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, introduced the poinsettia to the U.S. Since then it has become ubiquitous as a Christmas plant. Caring for your poinsettia during the holidays season is easy, as they require little attention while in bloom. However, caring for your poinsettia throughout the year and getting it to rebloom the following December is another story. Here's how to do both.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing Your Poinsettia

  1. Choose a healthy-looking plant. Healthy poinsettias should have dark green foliage and brightly colored bracts (these are the modified red leaves which look like petals). There should be no signs of wilting or drooping and no fallen or yellowed leaves.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 1 Version 3.jpg
  2. Observe the display conditions. The plant should look full and attractive and should not be crowded between other plants, as this can cause premature bract loss. It should stand two and a half times as tall as the diameter of its pot.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 2 Version 3.jpg
  3. Check the leaves and soil. Check the soil for dampness: if it is very wet, but the plant looks wilted, this could be an indication of root rot. Then have a look at the underside of the leaves to check for insects such as aphids and whiteflies. Do not choose a plant whose leaves are spotted and yellow.[1]
    Care for Poinsettias Step 3 Version 3.jpg
  4. Examine the true flowers. The true flowers of the poinsettia plant can be found at the base of the red colored leaves, or bracts. They should look like small, fresh buds with red or green tips. If there is a layer of yellow pollen covering the flowers, this means that the plant is more mature and will not last as long.[2]
    Care for Poinsettias Step 4 Version 3.jpg
  5. Avoid buying poinsettias which are wrapped in paper or plastic. It is possible that the plant may have been displayed this way for some time. If this is the case, the leaves may turn yellow and fall off much sooner than expected.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 5 Version 3.jpg
  6. Be careful when bringing the plant home. It is important that you cover or sleeve the poinsettia before you take it home, if outside temperatures are lower than .
    Care for Poinsettias Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • If poinsettias are exposed to low outside temperatures for even a few minutes they can chill or even freeze, causing the leaves to droop and fall off.
    • The gardening center or store where you purchase your poinsettia should be able to provide you with some form of protective covering for your trip home.
    • Just make sure to remove the protective covering as soon as you get home, otherwise it could cause damage.[3]

[Edit]Caring For Your Poinsettia

  1. Select a suitable location for the poinsettia. Place the poinsettia plant in a location where it receives at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • Placing it near a sunny east or west facing window is ideal.
    • Just don't let the leaves of the plant touch any cold window panes as this can cause them to freeze and fall off.[4]
  2. Maintain the correct temperature. Ideal temperatures for poinsettias don't reach above during daytime hours or dip below 65 degrees at night.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    • This is important in order to maintain the bright red color of the bracts.
    • You should also avoid exposing the poinsettia to cold drafts, or to dry heat from radiators, appliances or open fires.
    • Be aware that temperatures below 50 degrees will chill the plant and cause severe damage, while exposure to frost will kill it.
  3. Water the poinsettia when necessary. Poinsettias like moist but not soggy soil, so you should water your poinsettia when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Water the plant until you see water begin to seep through the holes at the bottom of the pot.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • After 10 minutes, remove any excess water from the saucer beneath the pot. If the plant is left sitting in water, the soil will become too wet and will not contain enough air, leading to root rot and other diseases.
    • If the plant is left too long without water, the leaves will begin to droop and wilt. To prevent this, make sure that you check the soil regularly. If the leaves do begin to wilt, water the plant at once, then water it a second time five minutes later.
  4. Fertilize your poinsettia after the holidays. Depending on when you purchased your poinsettia plant, it should not be necessary to fertilize it at any point before the holidays, while they are still blooming. You can usually wait until you've had the plant for about 6 to 8 weeks before it becomes necessary to fertilize.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 10 Version 3.jpg
    • Of course, if you don't plan on keeping the poinsettia there will be no need to fertilize. Many people find that it's easier to just buy a new plant each year, rather than caring for the same one all year round.
    • However if you do plan on keeping your poinsettia, you should use an all-purpose, water soluble houseplant fertilizer to fertilize the plant in early January. Use according to the manufacturer's instructions.
    • The fertilizer will held to maintain the plant's green foliage and promote new growth.

[Edit]Reflowering Your Poinsettia

  1. Commit to caring for your poinsettia. It is possible to hold on to your poinsettia plant and get it to bloom again the following year. However, this will require a yearlong schedule of care which must be strictly observed, otherwise the plant will fail to reflower.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 11 Version 3.jpg
  2. Maintain the same watering schedule til April. After the holidays, you can maintain the same watering schedule as before: watering the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Continue to fertilize the poinsettia every 6 to 8 weeks using an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 12 Version 3.jpg
  3. Allow the plant to dry out. Once April comes, you should stop watering the poinsettia and allow it to gradually dry out. However, you should not allow it to get so dry that the stems begin to shrivel. During this time, store the plant somewhere cool and airy, at a temperature of about .
    Care for Poinsettias Step 13 Version 3.jpg
  4. Cut back the stems. At the end of spring, when the bracts turn a muddy green color, it is time to cut back the stems. Cut them to a length of about , though this will vary slightly with the size and shape of the plant. You can begin watering the plant again at this point, using the same procedures as before.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 14 Version 3.jpg
  5. Repot the plant if necessary. If the plant seems to be a bit cramped in its current pot, move it to a new one that's around bigger. Use a commercial potting soil with a high percentage of peat moss. [5]
    Care for Poinsettias Step 15 Version 3.jpg
  6. Move the poinsettia outdoors. During the summer months, you can move the poinsettia outdoors (still in its pot). Place it in a lightly shaded area. Continue to regularly water and fertilize the plant.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 16 Version 3.jpg
  7. In August, prune the new shoots. Once August comes you can cut or pinch back the new shoots by about an inch, leaving three or four leaves on each. Fertilize again.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 17 Version 3.jpg
  8. Move the poinsettia back indoors. At the beginning of September (or well before the first frost) move the poinsettia back indoors. Place it near a window where it receives plenty of indirect natural light. Continue to water as before, and fertilize every two weeks.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 18 Version 3.jpg
  9. Follow the correct reflowering procedures. The poinsettia is a photoperiod plants, which means that its budding and flowering schedule is determined by the amount of daylight it receives. So in order to have the plant blooming at Christmas time, you will need to limit its exposure to light in the months running up to the holidays.
    Care for Poinsettias Step 19 Version 3.jpg
    • From the 1st of October onwards, keep the poinsettia in complete, uninterrupted darkness for 14 hours a night, from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Move the plant to a dark room or cover the plant with a box. Be aware that even exposing the plant to artificial lighting can halt or delay the reflowering process.
    • Remove the plant from the darkness during the day, as it will still need about 6 to 8 hours of daylight. Try to maintain the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees F and continue to water and fertilize the plant as normal.
    • Follow these procedures for approximately ten weeks until the poinsettia reflowers and the bright red color begins to show on the bracts. Move the poinsettia back to a sunlit area and follow the care procedures described in the previous section!


[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

  • If you are replanting your poinsettia, do so in a sterile growing medium that is well-draining yet retentive enough to not leach water and nutrients out too quickly. Use a fertile, humus, acidic soil with a pH of 5.5
  • Poinsettias were previously believed to be poisonous and even toxic, but according to the University of Florida Extension Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, recent studies have disproved that theory. No part of the plant is edible however.

[Edit]Warnings

  • Watch your poinsettia for insects and disease. Inspect your poinsettia for common insects like poinsettia horn-worms, aphids, mealybugs, scales, white-flies, and spider mites.
  • Poinsettias contain a white sap made of latex, which can irritate the skin of people allergic to latex.
  • Pick off poinsettia horn-worms with your fingers and destroy them. Wash the foliage with a gentle soap and water or wipe with rubbing alcohol to control other insects. For serious infestations, chemical control may be needed.
  • Watch for fungal diseases like poinsettia scab, which is identified by circular white, yellow or brown spots on the leaves. The fungus can eventually take over the entire branch or plant if left uncontrolled. Remove affected areas immediately to avoid further contamination.
  • Root rot is another fungal disease to look out for. Symptoms include the yellowing and dropping of the lower leaves. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms show up the disease is too far gone and the plant will not be salvageable.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

No comments:

Post a Comment