A sure sign of winter, the appearance of poinsettias on storefront windows is a momentary spectacle, readily abandoned along with the holiday decor. Few may know, however, that these Christmas-season icons hail from tropical climes. Giving them a chance to flower through the months following the holiday season can bring unexpected rewards for those willing to make the effort!
Poinsettias are a fairly recent Christmas tradition brought to us from Mexico by U.S. ambassador Joel Poinsett in 1828. Since then, changes in poinsettia breeding have resulted in a whole range of colored plants. The advances have also extended the life of these flowers. What used to be a weeks-long bloom can now last for months--even into May! Despite this potential, many people toss their bouquets in late December like so many useless scraps of gift wrap.
A few tips on extending the life of your poinsettias this year, from Kentucky's KYPost.com:
- Poinsettias do best in non-direct, bright sunlight in an area that's kept above 50 degrees with little to no drafts. You can begin to move them outside at night once it gets to be above 55.
- Give the plants enough water to keep the soil moist, but take care not to flood them. Consider giving them plant food in the winter.
- To really make the most of your poinsettias, cut them back to about 8 inches in March or April to stimulate new growth for the spring.
- If they make it through the summer and fall, start to move the plants into an area with no light for 14 hours each day, starting in October, since the plants only bloom when subjected to long nights.
Sound complicated? Even if you don't have a green thumb, recycling your plant is a great green alternative to simly dumping it in the trash. Add the potting soil to your other plants, and tear up the poinsettia leaves to use as compost.
Happy Holidays! Hanukkah begins today!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/dFG-qQX49Ns/post.aspx
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