Euphorbia pulcherrima/ allow soil surface to dry before watering again, then soak the soil/To initiate color change, starting the end of September or the beginning of October, place your poinsettia in complete darkness a minimum of 12 hours per day. (Shield the plant from any light from 5:00 PM until morning light.) During the day, provide as much bright light as possible. Continue watering and fertilizing during this period. When strong color appears in the bracts, it is no longer necessary to put the plant in darkness at night. If all of the requirements have been met, you should see color by the middle of November