Judging by the abundance of plants seen in markets, drug stores, discount houses and nurseries, this is going to be a bumper crop year for POINSETTIAS. Each year new and more beautiful varieties of this favorite holiday plant are introduced. Some fade from the scene and aren't seen again. Others, like the curly deep red double pom-pom type that was introduced a few years ago, become favored regulars.

Next summer when you are attacking that pesky lawn weed, spurge, remember that it is a close relative of our subject plant. "Spurge" is a large plant family (Euphorbiaceae) and all have the milky sap that you see when you burse a poinsettia leaf or that you get on your hands when you pull its weedy cousin. Poinsettias, like chrysanthemums, are prompted to bloom when the days become shorter and the hours of darkness longer. Both of these plants can be brought into bloom at most any time of the year by reducing the amount of light they receive. Don't plant either near an "always on" porch light or streetlight if you want them to bloom.

This holiday favorite has become a fairly inexpensive decorative plant and is second only to holly wreaths and decorated evergreen trees. If given a cool resting place to over night away from the dry warmth of our indoors (like out on the patio), their freshness and good appearance will last much longer. Water the soil in the pot when the surface feels dry. Don't leave water standing in the pot saucer.

After the holidays you may want to keep your plant. It can continue as a potted specimen or a naturalized planting in your garden. Whichever way you decide to grow it be sure it is where it gets plenty of sunshine in the summer months and shade in the autumn. Cut back the old wood that held the blooms to two or three growth buds. These plants are not choosey about the their soil but do require good drainage and, certainly, enough water. Fertilizer isn't required but light feedings of a balanced formula during the spring and summer growth periods will help the plant produce larger flowers. When your plant starts getting thirteen to fourteen hours of darkness the flower buds will form and the bracks surrounding them will begin to color. If you are growing your plant in a pot it is easier to arrange this darkness. Many home growers get bloom for Thanksgiving by placing a black plastic tent over their plant to give it the added hours of darkness.

If this one is a "KEEPER" take either of these plant preservation routes and your poinsettia will be there to welcome next year's holiday ... for years to come.