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Community Corner

Unique Holiday Plants to Give

Learn about the poinsettia, amaryllis and Christmas cactus, all perfect gifts for gardeners.

Looking for that perfect Holiday gift for the gardener in your life?  Try a live plant.  Poinsettia, amaryllis and Christmas cactus all make unique gifts for those with a green thumb--and those without one.

Poinsettia: More than Just Red

The poinsettia was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, first U. S. ambassador to MexicoPoinsettias are available in a wide range of interesting colors besides the ubiquitous red.  Pink, burgundy and white make a beautiful addition to any color scheme.  

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If given a poinsettia for your home, place it near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. A window that faces south, east or west is better than one facing north. Do not let any part of the plant touch the cold windowpane because this may injure it.   Examine the soil daily, and when the surface is dry to the touch, water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container,

To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this. Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may cause premature leaf drop. Poinsettias can be reflowered the following Christmas, but unless a yearlong schedule of care is observed, the results usually are not satisfactory.

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Christmas Cactus: Blooms and Blooms

While the poinsettia remains the most popular of the holiday plants, a healthy Christmas cactus in full bloom is a great gift idea for that special gardener. Along with that bounty of blooms, send these tips for keeping the plant looking its best.

Most blooming Christmas cactus will keep their blossoms longer in cooler temperatures. Keep the plant in a well-lit sunny location away from the drying air of heat vents and fireplaces.

Watering seems to be the source of most problems with the Christmas cactus. The plant is a tropical type cactus and is not quite as drought tolerant as the name implies. However, it is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. Discard the excess water and do not water again until the top half becomes dry. The length of time between waterings will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity.

Pruning your Christmas cactus after blooming will encourage the plant to branch out. Remove a few sections of each stem by pinching them off with your fingers or cutting with a sharp knife. These sections can be rooted in moist vermiculite to propagate new plants.

Amaryllis: For Those with a "Brown" Thumb

Amaryllis is a perfect gift for those with a “brown thumb.”  It is as low maintenance as you can get.  Everything it needs is contained in its papery brown bulb.  These plants are often sold as a bulb buried in a decorative container with the instructions for care included in the package.  How much easier can it get?  The recipient need only water it in order to enjoy its show.

These substantial, showy flowers bloom like fireworks sending up curvaceous flower stalks that burst into an exuberant holiday display. They produce 2 to 6 flowers per floral stalk, with the average being 4. Very large bulbs normally produce 2 flower stalks. Flower colors are red, white, pink, orange, salmon, and bi-colored (mostly whites with pink or red flushes). Plant heights range from 18 to 36 inches depending on the cultivar.

Again, a southern window exposure is best.  Amaryllis prefers a warm temperature (70 degrees to 75 degrees) for best growth. However, once the plant flowers, cooler temperatures (65 degrees) will extend the length of bloom. You can expect plants to bloom six to eight weeks after planting indoors, depending on temperature, light and variety.  

No matter which one you choose, a live plant is a gift that your special gardener is guaranteed to enjoy. 

Julie Foster is co-owner of Gardens By Design, LLC which specializes in landscape design and consultation.  Visit their website at www.gardens-bydesign.com for information regarding their services. 

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