Hi everybody! With the holidays rapidly approaching, soon one of the most popular plants on earth will be available for sale. The plant I am referring to is the colorful Poinsettia plant. These beautiful plants are most commonly known for their red color but they also can come in many other colors such as white, pink and some can even be multi-colored. Since most retailers offer mass displays of these gems, you will have an almost unlimited choice of which plants you will want to bring home. As beautiful as these plants are, they are also very fragile and you must handle them gently or the delicate branches will break and fall off. During my lifetime, I have unpacked and displayed no less then 100,000 of these beauties and I still do not tire of their delicate appearance.

            Poinsettias have an interesting history that dates back to the 14^th century. In fact, during the period from the 14^th to the 16^th century, the Aztec Indians called Poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitle” and they used the sap to control fevers and used the leaves, or bracts, were used to produce a red dye. The actual botanical name for the Poinsettia was named by the German botanist Wilenow and he called it Euphorbia Pulcherria. He first discovered the plant growing through a crack in his greenhouse and he was so amazed at the color of the plant that he gave it that name which means ‘very beautiful”.

            For many years and in fact still today, many people believe that poinsettias are poisonous. The truth is that they are not. It is true, however, that some people are allergic to the white sap of the plant and skin irritation can develop. If you are one of those people with sensitive skin, you should handle the plants with care.

            For a retailer during the holiday season, having a fresh batch of Poinsettias is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These wonderful plants create an eye-catching display that will certainly draw a crowd. So, with all these choices, how do I pick that perfect plant? The first thing you want to look for are plants that have been removed from their sleeves. Many retailers will display the plant with the sleeve intact and if the plant sits on the shelf too long, this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop and eventually, the plant may die. It is much better to choose plants that have been removed from their sleeves. If you do choose a plant that is sleeved, remove the plastic as soon as you get the plant home. The next thing you want to look for are plants that have little or no pollen showing on the flower clusters. This is a good indicator of the maturity of the flower bracts. You should always choose plants that have a lush, green color to their foliage and have a good healthy appearance. Avoid plants that look droopy or have yellowing leaves. While choosing your plants, handle the plants carefully so as not to break the adjoining plants so everybody can have a chance at getting a prime looking plant.

            Once you have chosen your gem and you have your plant in it’s new home, some standard TLC will ensure that you get a long lifespan from your new houseguest. If you are keeping your plant indoors and it is not near a good light source, occasionally put it in a sunny location so it can get the light it needs to maintain a healthy look. If the plant starts to drop leaves excessively, it is probably not getting enough bright light and you will need to move it. Always keep your plant away from cold drafts and low temperatures. Poinsettias will not do well if the temperatures drop below 45. You should also check your plants for soil moisture daily and be sure your plant has good drainage and does not sit in standing water. Keep the plant evenly moist but not soaking wet.

            If you follow these simple tips, you should be able to enjoy your plants through the entire holiday season. After the holidays are over, you can plant them outdoors in a protected location, such as under a tree, and you can enjoy them year after year!

Holiday Bliss

 
            Hi everybody! With the holidays rapidly approaching, soon one of the most popular plants on earth will soon be available for sale. The plant I am referring to is the colorful Poinsettia plant. These beautiful plants are most commonly known for their red color but they also can come in many other colors such as white, pink and some can even be multi-colored. Since most retailers offer mass displays of these gems, you will have an almost unlimited choice of which plants you will want to bring home. As beautiful as these plants are, they are also very fragile and you must handle them gently or the delicate branches will break and fall off. During my lifetime, I have unpacked and displayed no less then 100,000 of these beauties and I still do not tire of their delicate appearance.

            Poinsettias have an interesting history that dates back to the 14^th century. In fact, during the period from the 14^th to the 16^th century, the Aztec Indians called Poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitle” and they used the sap to control fevers and used the leaves, or bracts, were used to produce a red dye. The actual botanical name for the Poinsettia was named by the German botanist Wilenow and he called it Euphorbia Pulcherria. He first discovered the plant growing through a crack in his greenhouse and he was so amazed at the color of the plant that he gave it that name which means ‘very beautiful”.

            For many years and in fact still today, many people believe that poinsettias are poisonous. The truth is that they are not. It is true, however, that some people are allergic to the white sap of the plant and skin irritation can develop. If you are one of those people with sensitive skin, you should handle the plants with care.

            For a retailer during the holiday season, having a fresh batch of Poinsettias is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These wonderful plants create an eye-catching display that will certainly draw a crowd. So, with all these choices, how do I pick that perfect plant? The first thing you want to look for are plants that have been removed from their sleeves. Many retailers will display the plant with the sleeve intact and if the plant sits on the shelf too long, this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop and eventually, the plant may die. It is much better to choose plants that have been removed from their sleeves. If you do choose a plant that is sleeved, remove the plastic as soon as you get the plant home. The next thing you want to look for are plants that have little or no pollen showing on the flower clusters. This is a good indicator of the maturity of the flower bracts. You should always choose plants that have a lush, green color to their foliage and have a good healthy appearance. Avoid plants that look droopy or have yellowing leaves. While choosing your plants, handle the plants carefully so as not to break the adjoining plants so everybody can have a chance at getting a prime looking plant.

            Once you have chosen your gem and you have your plant in it’s new home, some standard TLC will ensure that you get a long lifespan from your new houseguest. If you are keeping your plant indoors and it is not near a good light source, occasionally put it in a sunny location so it can get the light it needs to maintain a healthy look. If the plant starts to drop leaves excessively, it is probably not getting enough bright light and you will need to move it. Always keep your plant away from cold drafts and low temperatures. Poinsettias will not do well if the temperatures drop below 45. You should also check your plants for soil moisture daily and be sure your plant has good drainage and does not sit in standing water. Keep the plant evenly moist but not soaking wet.

            If you follow these simple tips, you should be able to enjoy your plants through the entire holiday season. After the holidays are over, you can plant them outdoors in a protected location, such as under a tree, and you can enjoy them year after year!

            Many retailers will have early shipments of these colorful plants from one to two weeks before Thanksgiving. Shop around for the best prices and plant quality.

Holiday Bulbs

            Hi everybody and welcome! With the holidays almost full swing, one of the most sought after novelty plant items is the Amaryllis bulb. These colorful plants are very easy to grow and they bloom with very little effort. They can be grown inside or out and they are a staple at most retailers during the holiday season. These colorful plants actually originated in South America’s tropical climate. The botanical name for the Amaryllis is Hippeastrum. Because of the large colorful flowers that the plants produce, this bulb is in large demand worldwide during the winter months. These gorgeous plants come in a wide variety of colors, which include red, white, pink, salmon and orange. You can also find many varieties that have variegated flowers with an array of colors in a single bloom. These bulbs will be available at many retailers in the coming weeks.

            Amaryllis bulbs can be purchased in bulk packages as well as in kits where all you have to do is unpack the kit and water the soil. If you choose to plant your own, first place the roots and the base of the bulb in lukewarm water for a couple of hours. If you get your bulbs and you are not ready to plant them right away, store them in a cool place at 40 to 50 degrees. Your fridge is a great place to store the bulbs until you are ready to plant them.

            Amaryllis bulbs like to be planted in a good quality potting mix such as Miracle Gro. Plant the bulb up to the neck area in the potting mix. Be gentle with the roots so you do not damage them. Firmly pack the soil around the bulb so it stays securely in place.

            Your new bulbs will do really well in a warm place with bright light. The warm temperatures really make the bulb grow rapidly and it will bloom in no time. Water your new plant quite sparingly when it is first sprouting and gradually increase the amount of water the plant receives as it grows. The blooms can last for several weeks and if you plant the bulbs at 2 or 3-week intervals, you can ensure lots of color for many weeks to come.

            Amaryllis bulbs can be trained to re-flower by simply cutting off the spent flower. When you notice the stem starting to wilt, cut it back at the base of the bulb and the flowering process will start again.

When you walk in to almost any lawn and garden center, Impatiens will most likely be the dominant plant. You will find them in all colors and sizes from a small 4 inch pot all the way up to 14 inch (or larger) color bowls. Many stores also carry six packs and 24 packs. As a rule of thumb, if you are going to plant a garden with Impatiens, plant lots of them. You will be well rewarded with a garden to be proud of. During the holiday season, impatiens can be found in red and white color varieties. They can add real holiday flair to any garden or holiday display.

Impatiens will do best if planted in an area that does not get full sun all day. If you plan on putting in Impatiens just for the winter, this won’t be quite as critical as the plants will endure more sun during the winter then the spring and summer. You will want to use a good quality potting soil such as Miracle Gro and plant them in an area that has good drainage. If water stands too long or the soil stays mucky, Impatiens will develop root rot. They do, however, need to be kept evenly moist. If you let an Impatiens plant dry out too much, the plant will wilt. Even though the plant will appear to recover when you revive it with water, there is still damage that has done. Repeated bouts of drying out will compromise the plant quality dramatically over time. If you have a sprinkler system, do not rely on it 100% for your flowers. Always supplement your watering regime with hand watering.