If you kept your poinsettia from last Christmas and it is looking good, you want to take the proper steps to make it bloom again. From the end of September, careful light control is essential. The plant needs to be kept in total darkness for 14 hours each night, but must receive good light for growth during the day.

Either place the plant in a room in the home where no artificial lighting occurs during evening house, or cover with a box or black polyethylene bag from early evening and remove the next morning. Continue daily for 8 weeks, then treat normally. Your poinsettia will be in bloom at Christmas time.