Poinsettias

[kedigato]

Poinsettias
Euphorbia pulcherrima


Categories: houseplant

Zone: 10

Bloom color: red, white, chartreuse, plum

Bloom time: winter

Soil: well drained soil

Light: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Good bedfellows:
• Euphorbia

Also Read:
• Holiday Plant Safety
• Holiday Blooms

Related Video: Christmas Cactus Description


The poinsettia is a well known holiday house plant. The dark green and red toothed leaves are often mistaken for foliage and flowers, however the red "flowers" are actually only brightly colored leaves and the real flowers are the small white and yellow structures inside the flowers.


Planting tips

When grown as a houseplant for the holidays keep your poinsettias away from cold drafts and sources of heat. Ideal room temperature is around 60 degrees at night and 72 degrees during the daytime. Water thoroughly when the surface soil is dry to the touch. Pour off any excess so the plants never sit in water. Fertilize the plants within several days of purchase. I like to use an all purpose liquid fertilizer because it is easy to use.


Suggestions

Today, poinsettias are as much a part of the holiday season as evergreen boughs and mistletoe. But you may be surprised to know that prior to the 1960s, their use as seasonal decorations was not as wide spread. I am particularly fond of the white varieties. They have a slight hint of green that blends well with evergreen garlands and wreaths. Recently, I've been selecting different sizes and shapes to decorate my house. If I plan to place the poinsettias in a large room or entryway I use a larger growing plant - some varieties of poinsettia can reach up to 40" tall. Poinsettia tree topiaries are also a nice way to accent a room. For side tables and mantles, I like to use a variety that is from 16" to 24" in height. They make a statement without being overbearing.I go for the pixie varieties when creating a centerpiece. These small, 8" - 10" poinsettias are great for mixing with other plants and because of their low profile, your dinner guests can see over them.



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Please see here for more holiday blooms -

naturalworld.proboards53.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=flower&thread=1998


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From the P. Allen Smith Newsletter

[kedigato]

Holiday Plant Safety


I've been decking the halls of my home with greenery, poinsettias and berries for years, but now that Marge the cat has moved in, I have something extra to consider. Are the materials I choose safe for her? Pets and children are inquisitive and often want to know if something tastes as good as it looks so it is important to understand if any of the materials are harmful if ingested.

I have a friend who is a toxicologist so I asked him what I should be aware of when decorating for the holidays.

Evergreens such as spruce, pine and fir are generally safe, but they may cause a little bit of skin irritation. Yew on the other hand contains a toxin that can cause problems with the central nervous system resulting in trembling, poor coordination and difficulty breathing. Gastrointestinal problems may also occur, as well as cardiac failure. So yew should be avoided.

Holly berries can be somewhat toxic. If a person or pet swallows more than three or four of them, expect mild gastrointestinal irritation and maybe some drowsiness. Not much of a problem overall though.

Although mistletoe is thought to be extremely toxic, it's not as dangerous as it has been perceived. That being said it is better to be safe than sorry. Take your child or pet to the doctor if more than a very small amount has been ingested."

Poinsettias have been FALSELY labeled as poisonous. Recent studies show that they don't have significant levels of toxins and can safely be used in homes with children and pets.
Kalanchoes are a popular plant for winter decorating, but they can cause gastrointestinal issues and heart rate problems.

Cyclamen contain a toxin called cyclamine that is mostly concentrated in the roots. If ingested vomiting may occur.

So it turns out that most plants are harmless and a few should be avoided. To be on the safe side I think I'll stick to hanging the mistletoe up high and keep a close eye on Marge. I'd hate to spend our first Christmas at the emergency vet clinic!

To find out more about poisonous plants for pets visit the ASPCA website at

www.aspca.org.


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From the P. Allen Smith Newsletter

[jc]

These are one of my favourite plants, and every Christmas I try to buy one. I learned that when the leaves go green and loose the red, if you put them in complete dark for 48 hours, they regain the red.

[kedigato]

I love them too (at least the red ones) but I have never had much luck with them. Still, I think it would be worth trying out your tip, jc. Thanks for that.