Poinsettia Care

Christmas is almost here and the poinsettias are in bloom. So, here are a few simple guidelines to help you care for your poinsettias at home.
Light/Placement:
Poinsettias prefer moderately bright light but they can tolerate low light areas. In other words, you can put a poinsettia just about anywhere in the house except a bright window.
Temperature:
These plants also prefer moderately cool temperatures: 60-70 degrees during the daytime and 60-65 degrees at night are
ideal. Poinsettias can tolerate warmer and cooler temperatures
however 80 is too warm and 50 is too cold. Be sure that your plant is not directly below a vent because this will cause your flower to quickly spoil.

Watering:
For best results, water your plant in the mornings. Be sure to water thoroughly each time and empty the excess water from the saucer when finished. Emptying excess water will help to prevent root rot. (Root rot is the #1 cause of poinsettia death in households.) Allow your plant to dry out in between watering. The soil should feel dry to the touch and the plant will feel light. In normal temperatures and moderate light this usually translates into water once every 3-4 days. Good luck!

Caring for Christmas Cacti

Christmas Cacti are a very low maintenance indoor plant. Here are a few simple guidelines and helpful hints to follow. Like most cacti, they prefer to dry out quite a bit between watering. Once the plant is dry, water thoroughly and then allow any excess water to drain out. Cacti hate to have "wet feet" (i.e. a saucer of water underneath them). They favor temperatures between 65 - 85 degrees but can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 with minimal leaf damage. This variety of cactus enjoys a well lit area such as a sun room or kitchen window but not the bright, direct afternoon sun. Feed your Christmas cactus plant once every three months with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) for best results. This cactus plant, like poinsettias, knows when to bloom by measuring day length. Be sure to avoid electric lighting during September and October to ensure that your Cactus will bloom.

Container Gardening

One of the newer trends in recent years is container gardening. I think this is partially because homes are being built on smaller and smaller plots of land and partially because more and more homes have 2 income families who have less time to putter around the garden. Whatever the reason, container flower gardening can be a fun, easy way to brighten up your yard with some color. There is a huge variety of pots, baskets, window boxes, etcetera out there. From the most simplistic green plastic pot to the truly eccentric and grand. I know that I have seen just about every shape and size pot imaginable for sale. There are even hanging baskets with built in side holes to plant more flowers (like a strawberry pot). Whatever your tastes, there is something perfect for you out there! Here is a smattering of pictures of container gardens, window boxes, and baskets that I have seen this fall. Click on the picture to see a larger view!