Story by Mark A. Tamn

Local gardeners are fortunate to live in a climate that allows us to enjoy America’s most popular hobby, practically year round.  But during the holidays, it seems that outdoor gardening projects and chores are often replaced with the stressful demands of the season .  .  . the wrapping of gifts, the sending of cards, hanging of lights, shopping for gifts, and on and on.

For most folks, this is a time to transition the house into a winter wonderland.  What better way to bring some holiday cheer into your home than with live plants?  And how about making use of some trees and plants that dot your gardens and landscapes?  With a little time and creativity, you can create some Christmas scapes in the form of wreaths, arrangements, and wall hangings.

DECORATIVE HOLIDAY PLANTS

One of the most wonderful decorations used during the holidays is of course, the poinsettia.  Let me begin by dismissing the myth about poinsettias being poisonous.  There have been many studies performed on the poinsettia over the last twenty years.  The most notable was by Ohio State University in the early 80s.  This study clearly demonstrated that the poinsettia is no more toxic than any other commonly used houseplant.  As a matter of fact, in 1992 the poinsettia was added to a list of houseplants that are considered helpful in removing pollutants from the air.  So if you have children, grandbabies, or pets, not to worry.

The poinsettia industry has “come a long way baby” in the last ten years.  The old- fashioned, deep red poinsettia is now accompanied by many newer varieties that will produce pink, white, marbled, speckled yellow, and multi-colored bracts.  What most people assume is the flower, are actually called bracts—the color portion of the plant.  The flowers are tiny, yellow parts of the plant that are located in the center of the bract. 

Be careful when choosing your poinsettia.  Look for plants with stiff stems, good bract retention, and no sign of wilt or drooping.  Look for plenty of dense green foliage from the top to the soil line.  A good rule of thumb is to look for a poinsettia that is two and a half times taller than the diameter of the container.  Be sure to protect your poinsettia when transporting it home on cool days.  Keep it out of chilling winds or drafts.  Poinsettias must be in air temperatures above fifty degrees.

CARING FOR YOUR POINSETTIA

Be sure that your poinsettia has at lease five to six hours of indirect sunlight daily.  The ideal temperature to keep your poinsettia on the cutting edge is sixty-eight to seventy degrees.  If the temperature in the room feels comfortable to you, chances are it will be a happy environment for your poinsettia.  Keep your plant moist to the touch, but do not over water or allow the soil to remain water-logged.  Keep your plant away from cold drafts such as doorways, and away from excessive heat such as heat registers.  Any fertilization should wait until your poinsettia is finished blooming.

WANT TO ENJOY YOUR POINSETTIA NEXT SEASON?

You will have to determine whether keeping your plant alive to re-bloom the next holiday is worth your time and effort.  However, it can be rewarding.  Simply cut the plant back to about six to eight inches in late March or early April.  Water enough to keep the soil moist to the touch, and fertilize with sea kelp during April.  Place your plant outdoors once the nighttime lows are consistently above sixty degrees.  During summer, move your plant under a tree to protect it against our intense summer sun.  Continue to water, and feed every two to three weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer at half strength, such as a Peters 20-20-20.  Transplant your poinsettia into a pot that is four to six inches larger than the original.  Use potting soil that is high in organic matter. 

Your poinsettia will set buds and began bract production as the autumn nights get longer.  Beginning in early October, keep your plant in darkness for fourteen nights.  Cover it with a box or place in a closet overnight.  From October through November, your plant will require six to eight hours of light, plus will need watering and feeding.  By December, you should have a colorful display of blooms for the holiday.

And if you are looking for another holiday to celebrate, December 12th has been designated national poinsettia day.  This date marks the death of Joel Robert Poinsett, the botanist who is credited with introducing the poinsettia into the United States from Mexico.  So give that special someone a poinsettia in honor of national poinsettia day.

 

SO YOU’RE NOT INTO POINSETTIAS? 

TRY A CHRISTMAS CACTUS

There are generally two cactuses sold as Christmas cactus:  The Thanksgiving cactus and the Christmas cactus.  The Thanksgiving cactus will flower in early winter and has leaves with pointed lobes.  The true Christmas cactus has a wider, more rounded leaf and comes in flower colors from yellow, white, pink, salmon, or a combination of these colors. 

Growing a Christmas cactus can be easy.  But getting it to bloom is sometimes challenging.  Keep your plant in a sunny location while indoors during cool weather, and under the shade of a tree canopy for outdoor use in the summer.  Be sure the soil drains well.  Your plant will require more water during the summer than in fall or winter.  Water only when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch.  As we enter the month of October, stop watering your plant until November.  Water sparingly in November, and keep your cactus in a room for six weeks where temperatures will remain between fifty-five and sixty degrees.  If the temperatures are above sixty-five degrees, you must cover the plant for thirteen hours each night for six weeks.  This should prompt your plant into producing some magnificent blooms just in time for the holiday season.

COLORFUL CYCLAMEN PLANTS

Related to the primrose, the cyclamen will produce an awesome display of white, pink, red, or lavender color during the holiday period.  The cyclamen’s foliage is an interesting heart shape with a greenish-blue color.  It prefers bright light and cool temperatures around sixty to sixty-five degrees.  These plants are great for sunrooms or screened porches during winter, although it’s best to cover them during cooler nights.  They perform best in high humidity, so placing them on a shallow tray or pan with water may increase the humidity level for them.  Keep moist, but be sure the soil drains well, and fertilize during the growing season every two to three weeks with a complete liquid fertilizer.

SELECT THAT PERFECT TREE THIS CHRISTMAS

We are fortunate that North Carolina grows about twenty percent of the “real” Christmas trees in the United States, ranking second only to Oregon.  Our Fraser firs have been voted the nation’s best live trees by the national Christmas tree association, and have even been chosen for the White House tree on nine different occasions since 1971.

The Fraser fir has a medium-size needle, a rich dark green, with just a touch of silver.  Its ability to stay fresh longer than many other varieties makes it a great selection as a live tree.

When selecting your tree, there are a few tell-tale signs to watch for.  As you look at your potential selection, look at the ground below the tree.  Are there excessive needles on the ground?  Shake the tree slightly.  It is normal for some of the older needles in the middle to shed.  The needles on the ends should be succulent and pliable.  Bend a few of the needles.  They should go back into form without snapping, and if they do, you have a fresh tree.

Be sure to place your tree in water as soon as possible when you get it home.  A live tree will gobble up from a quart to a half gallon of water each day.  Prior to placing your tree in water, make a one inch cut at the bottom of the truck.  This will insure that your tree will have good water intake ability, and remain fresh and vibrant.  The temperature of the water that you give your tree is irrelevant.  Keep the tree away from fireplaces, heat vents, or other areas that could result in premature drying.  A well watered tree located in a cool part of your home should stay fresh for up to thirty days.

DECORATE WITH GREENERY FROM YOUR LANDSCAPE

Wreaths and other decorations are part of the tradition of bringing evergreens indoors during the holiday season.  Wreaths actually predate the time of Christ, as people in Egypt, the Mideast, the Orient, and Europe made wreaths from evergreens, herbs, and other plants for various celebrations.

Many plants and trees that are commonly found in our area can be used to create wreaths, garland, wall hangings, centerpieces, and arrangements.  Some local favorites include pyracantha—with its orange or red berries (watch the thorns)—the many holly varieties, Indian hawthorns with their bold purple fruit during fall, not to mention branches of boxwood, arborvitae, Leland cypress, cedar, our beautiful glossy leaf magnolias, wax myrtles, yaupon holly, rosemary, and eucalyptus.  To accent your decoration add some dried flowers, pine cones, or even some colorful leaves.  Use your imagination and add ribbon, glass ornaments, artificial snow or fruit, glitter and beads, or paint.  The tradition of holiday greenery in the home can be an enjoyable part of holiday season for you and your entire family.

Regardless of which plants you choose to use, remember that the holidays are a time for sharing our blessings and good cheer with family, friends, and all of those around us.

Happy gardening and warm holiday wishes to all!

BIOGRAPHY:

Mark A. Tamn is an agronomist, North Carolina certified turf grass professional, author of the gardening book Olde Tyme Gardening for New Age Concerns, former host of the radio gardening show “In the Garden,” and president of Freedom Lawns USA and Freedom Franchises, Inc.