| Time of year |
Winter
(mid-November to late April) |
Spring
(late April to mid-June) |
Summer
(mid-June to mid-September) |
Fall
(mid-September to mid-November) |
| Physiological phenomenon |
Blooming period
(coloured bracts) |
Vegetative growth begins |
Active vegetative growth |
Flower initiation (flowers and bracts form) |
| Lighting |
As much indirect sunlight as possible |
Bright light (or filtered sunlight) |
Indoors: sun
Outdoors: semi-shaded or sunny spot after a period of adjustment |
Bright light in day (or filtered sunlight)
14 consecutive hours of total darkness a day for eight to ten weeks |
| Temperature |
Daytime: maximum 20°C to extend life of bracts
Nighttime: 16-17°C |
About 20°C |
20-24°C or outdoors once all risk of frost is past |
20ºC
(If possible, temperature of 15-18°C once bracts are completely coloured, to intensify colour)
|
| Watering |
Water in moderation
Thoroughly
soak the soil mixture
Allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings |
Cut back on watering after pruning
Water only often enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely |
Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings
Outdoors, don't allow the plant to wilt |
As in winter |
| Fertilizing |
No fertilizer needed |
Start fertilizing once new shoots appear; 20-20-20, once a month |
Soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) every two weeks |
Soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) every two weeks
15-15-30 in early November,
for bloom formation |
| Pruning, repotting and cuttings |
|
Repot and prune in late April
Cut stems back by at least 1/3
Mist after pruning
Cuttings may be started from May to July |
Second pruning in July or August, never after September 1 |
|
