Home Town Garden

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 or multi-colored.

Since most retailers offer mass displays of these gems, you will have an almost unlimited choice 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 14th century. In fact, during the period from the 14th to the 16th century, the Aztec Indians called poinsettias cuetlaxochitle and they used the sap to control fevers and the leaves, or bracts, to produce a red dye.

The actual botanical name for the poinsettia was coined by the German botanist Wilenow. He called it euphorbia pulcherria. He first discovered the plant growing through a crack in his greenhouse and was so amazed at the color, so 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 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, 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?

First, look for plants that have been removed from their sleeves. Many retailers will display the plants with sleeves intact, and if plants sit on the shelf too long, this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop and eventually, the plant may die. 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 home.

Next, look for 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 them 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’re home, some standard TLC will ensure 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 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. Check your plants for soil moisture daily and be sure they have good drainage and do 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.

That’s all for this week’s column and I hope you enjoyed it. I will see you next week with more great garden tips and solutions. See you then!

Joe Zelenak has 28 years experience in gardening and landscape. Send e-mails to hometowngarden@gmail.com or visit his Web site www.hometowngarden.com