POINSETTIA POINTS Do's and don'ts

Chances are you'll have a poinsettia somewhere in the house during the holidays. California poinsettia grower Paul Ecke Ranch offers these do-and-don't suggestions for your plant:
DO
Place the plant in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. If direct sun can't be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain.
Provide room temperatures between 68 and 70 degrees. Generally speaking, if you are comfortable, so is your poinsettia.
Water the plant when the soil feels dry.
Use a large, roomy shopping bag to protect your plant when transporting it.
Fertilize the plant after the blooming season with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer.
DON'T
Place the plant near cold drafts or excessive heat. Avoid placing plants near appliances, fireplaces or ventilating ducts.
Expose the plant to temperatures below 50 degrees. Poinsettias are sensitive to cold.
Overwater the plant or allow it to sit in standing water. Always remove a plant from a decorative container before watering, and allow the water to drain completely.
Expose the plant to chilling winds when transporting it.
Fertilize the plant when it is in bloom.
Source: Sacramento Bee