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The culture of the poinsettia is very similar. To secure plants with large heads, the general plan is to grow from cuttings annually, but the old plants may be continued. Old plants that have been resting may be introduced to heat and moisture in late spring, and will soon give a liberal supply of cuttings, which are usually taken from the young wood. Successive sets of cuttings may be made at later periods if different- sized plants are wanted. When well started, the potted plants are plunged outdoors till September, with plenty of water, light and sunshine and good drainage. They do well in rich heavy loam in 5-7-inch pots. They are liable to drop their leaves if exposed to cold or other unfavorable conditions, lii autumn they are transferred to the greenhouse, with moderate temperature. When the bracts begin to appear, give more heat and some manure water to expand them. When in flower, reduce the temperature to preserve them longer. After flowering the pots may be stowed away in a dry warm place till spring,—under the benches will do. When the buds are cut the great objection is that they wilt easily. This may be obviated by keeping them in water for a few days before using. See Grieve, G.C. III. 9:106, and Hatfield in Garden and Forest 9:496. See article Poinsettia for further treatment.
The culture of the poinsettia is very similar. To secure plants with large heads, the general plan is to grow from cuttings annually, but the old plants may be continued. Old plants that have been resting may be introduced to heat and moisture in late spring, and will soon give a liberal supply of cuttings, which are usually taken from the young wood. Successive sets of cuttings may be made at later periods if different- sized plants are wanted. When well started, the potted plants are plunged outdoors till September, with plenty of water, light and sunshine and good drainage. They do well in rich heavy loam in 5-7-inch pots. They are liable to drop their leaves if exposed to cold or other unfavorable conditions, lii autumn they are transferred to the greenhouse, with moderate temperature. When the bracts begin to appear, give more heat and some manure water to expand them. When in flower, reduce the temperature to preserve them longer. After flowering the pots may be stowed away in a dry warm place till spring,—under the benches will do. When the buds are cut the great objection is that they wilt easily. This may be obviated by keeping them in water for a few days before using. See Grieve, G.C. III. 9:106, and Hatfield in Garden and Forest 9:496. See article Poinsettia for further treatment.
Euphorbia splendens is another winter bloomer, and may be treated as the succulents, with more heat and water. It will do well in living-rooms, and bears some flowers all the year. It bears rough treatment well, and is propagated by cuttings from the young growth, which root with the greatest ease.
In tropical and subtropical regions many of the treelike or succulent euphorbias make fine outdoor ornamentals. The poinsettia is a magnificent landscape ornament in California, West Indies and so on. In Southern California the poinsettia is propagated by sticking canes 3 feet long in the ground from April on, these growing and blooming, often profusely, the first season. In the West Indies and Florida, some of the thorny tree-like forms, especially E. lactea, are grown as hedges, their thick, erect thorny branches making an almost impenetrable barrier. This and other species are grown also as specimen plants. See Succulents.
The following have been reported in cult. in Eu. but are not in the American trade.
The following have been reported in cult. in Eu. but are not in the American trade.