Saving Poinsettias

It is that time of year when people who purchased poinsettias now wonder, "Can I keep this plant for next Christmas?" The answer is yes, though I have never done it. I did some research and found some information on saving and getting poinsettias to reflower. I am not much of a houseplant gardener but I have known people who have successfully saved their poinsettias and I think the effort is worthwhile. My friend (Delisa) who did save hers really enjoyed hers on the deck in the summer time. Poinsettias actually make great houseplants and in my book, any houseplant I can enjoy outside is a great houseplant.


The Poinsettia Pages sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and found at the web address: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/ is a wealth of information not only on saving poinsettias but on neat facts about poinsettias.


For instance; Did you know poinsettias are native to Mexico and can grow to 10 feet tall in their native habit? I think I have heard people from California talk about them growing quite large out there. Ginger, did you ever see any grow that large when you lived in California? That would be a sight with all the colorful red bracts interspersed among the shrub.


The website also says 80% of all poinsettias are purchased by women. Additionally, 80% of purchasers of poinsettias are aged 40 or over. Do you think it is the same 80 %? Only women over 40 buying them?:) For the record, I am over 40 and a woman. I didn't purchase any poinsettias this year but I sometimes do. Depends on the specials offered and my mood at the time.


I did not realize poinsettias were in the botanical class of Euphorbias. Euphorbia pulcherrima to be exact. The name was given to the plant by a German botanist and the name means "very beautiful". Euphorbias are a wide and varied botanical class of plants. I think they are very cool because of their uniqueness and sometimes wild habits and growth manner. They are mostly all showy in and out of flower.


Check out the "Poinsettia Pages" for more interesting information and detailed instructions on how to save poinsettias and get them to rebloom the following Christmas. Good luck and let me know how it goes!



in the garden....