The beautiful red and green plants have begun making their appearance in Goa. Their botanical name is Poinsettia pulcherrima (or, formerly, Euphorbia pulcherrima), and they are commonly known as poinsettias.
During the colonial era, poinsettias were known as ‘Bandera Portuguesa’ because the plant has the red, green and gold colours of that flag. Only few homes had these plants back then, brought from British India towns, like Poona (now Pune) and Bombay (now Mumbai).
In those days, travel was neither common nor as easy as it is now, and one needed a passport or travel documents to travel out of Goa.
BEHIND THE COLOUR
Their specific name pulcherrima is a Latin word meaning ‘most beautiful’ and they live up to this name. The terminal whorl of bright, red bracts of a poinsettia will catch the eye of even a casual passerby and hold her attention. These bracts look like a scarlet version of a sunflower.
New varieties with cream coloured bracts, either alone or streaked with pink, are also available in local nurseries.
During the colonial era, poinsettias were known as ‘Bandera Portuguesa’ because the plant has the red, green and gold colours of that flag.
Some houses in Goa are already sporting these potted plants, that have been brought from cooler climes like Pune and Bangalore. Those living in temperate zones are familiar with the fascinating ‘fall foliage’.
The cool winter turns their foliage a pretty colour with the xanthophyll and anthocyanin pigment masking the green chlorophyll in the top-most ring of leaves.
In Goa, we have only the poinsettia and false almond tree, Terminalia catappa, giving us any indication that it is autumn or fall.
CARING FOR POINSETTIAS IN GOA
Avoid placing these plants in shaded areas for coolness. They need bright sunlight, preferably during the early morning hours. Goa is blessed with naturally high humidity, so sunlight and watering are the two aspects to take care.
Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, but taking care to ensure that adequate drainage is available. The roots will rot if water is in excess. Avoid such an eventuality by using crocks (bits of roof tiles or clay pots) to prevent the drainage hole from being blocked.
Check to see that the roots of the plant are covered with soil. Add soil mixed with an equal quantity of compost, if needed. Make sure there is a gap between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot to ensure that the soil does not spill when watering the plant.
Remove dead leaves, if any, so that the plant looks presentable. Poinsettias with showy red bracts and dark green leaves are just the right colour for Christmas to remind one of holly and mistletoe. Enjoy their beauty this festive season.
If there is sufficient light, they will survive even indoors for a short period.
POST CHRISTMAS CARE
After Christmas, New Year and Carnival, cut back all the branches. You can repot the plant using the same type of soil that was used earlier.
New shoots will sprout, but do not expect to see the red glory until next winter.
Poinsettias can be kept indoors in well-lit rooms or balconies during the monsoons. An LED bulb provides light that mimics sunlight.
Shift the plant to the coolest area of your garden by next October to get the red colour back on the bracts in time for Christmas.
This plant can be purchased from any of the garden nurseries found all over Goa.
Have a merry and joy-filled Christmas!
(The author is the former Chairman of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, CEO of Planter's Choice Pvt Ltd, Additional Director of OFAI and Garden Superintendent of Goa University, and has edited 18 books for Goa & Konkan).