TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY PLANTS
We are now into the third week of December. It seems that everyone has the holidays on their minds. With that mindset, many people are looking at all the beautiful and popular holiday plants. Here is a brief rundown of some of the most popular holiday plants and some care tips.
POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias are the most prominent and popular holiday plant. When transporting them from the garden center to your vehicle or into your home or office, protect them from the cold. Place the poinsettia in bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry moderately between thorough waterings—do not let roots stand in water. Plants wrapped in colorful foil should have holes punched through the foil on the bottom to allow the pot to drain.
CYCLAMEN
My personal favorite. The florist cyclamen is a cool-season bloomer, usually available from September through March. The beautiful flowers resemble some orchids and come in reds, pinks, salmon, lavender, white, and fancy frilled or bi-color flowers. Cyclamen prefer very bright indirect light or some direct sun. Cooler temperatures will keep them looking their best. Allow the soil to surface dry between waterings and provide good drainage. The florist cyclamen requires a rest period after flowering. Allow the plant to die in April, store the tuber in a dry, dark location for three or four months, bring it back to light, and start watering again.
AMARYLLIS
We will sell both dormant bulbs and potted Amaryllis. The Amaryllis will become available for purchase in November and December. Amaryllis is a tropical bulb that cannot tolerate being outside in our winter months. If given good care, the bulb will get larger and larger each year, producing more flowers each blooming period. If you purchase potted amaryllis already in bud or bloom, place it in a cool, bright location and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings—do not let roots stand in water. Turn the pot a quarter every few days to keep the flower stem straight. If you purchase a dormant bulb, you can plant it with the top third of the bulb exposed in a pot one-and-a-half inches larger than the bulb. A clay pot or a ceramic pot works best. Flower buds appear before leaves.
PAPERWHITES
Like Amaryllis, we will sell both dormant bulbs and potted paperwhites. Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are tropical bulbs, so they cannot be planted in our part of the country. You can purchase paperwhites already potted up or pot your own in soil or gravel. Pre-potted paperwhites should be placed in a bright to sunny window and kept moist but not saturated. To start paperwhites in gravel, choose a watertight container at least three inches deep, add a thin layer of gravel, and arrange the bulbs on top. Add more gravel as needed until all but the top tip of the bulb is covered. Add water until half full and keep cool until roots form.
HOLIDAY CACTUS
The Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus have been popular holiday plants for over 100 years. The original species have been hybridized so that growers can bring them into bloom as needed, thus the name Holiday cactus. Control of day-length and night temperatures induces flowering at the appropriate time. They may live for 20 years or more and are often passed down from generation to generation. Flowers will last longer when in bloom if the plant is kept in a cool, bright location, away from drafts or heat vents. Allow the soil to dry moderately between thorough waterings. Do not let roots stand in water. After flowering, allow the plant to rest for a few weeks. Most Holiday cacti will flower on their own eventually, so if you don’t care when they bloom, sit back and let nature take its course.
ENJOY THESE BEAUTIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!!