Hello! I have a small pointsettia plant I was given for Xmas that I would like to train into a standard. I saw some gorgeous standard pointsettias at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, which inspired me to try my own. Any helpful hints or suggestions? How exactly do you start to train a plant into a standard?
This picture is what I have to work with.
Thanks!
I think to begin you would need to choose the most vigorous stem to make the "tree trunk" of the standard, and cut off the other stems and side shoots. Poinsettia sap is sticky, so wear gloves! Then you would need to tie the remaining stem to a vertical stake.
From my years that I worked for a grower, I think the process starts when they root cuttings. I am not sure, but I think it is not a one year process.
Gita
Well, I suppose I could cut off the extraneous branches and root one of them, while staking up the rest and trying to grow it as well. Should I coat the cuts I make on the plant with anything to keep it from leaking too much sap, or does that not really matter?
Thanks!!
