TIPS FOR MAKING HOLIDAY PLANTS LAST
Although the holidays are over you can keep your Christmas flowers blooming through the New Year. Here’s a few tips from our experts...
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are easy to keep beautiful and blooming throughout the holidays and beyond as long as you follow a few simple steps:
- Avoid exposing the poinsettia to freezing conditions. Do not leave it in the car while you finish shopping. Take it home and place it inside the house as soon as possible after purchasing it. Poinsettias like it warm just like you do.
- Place your poinsettia in a spot with bright natural light, but do not expose it to direct sunlight.
- Do not place your poinsettia in an area where it will be exposed to drafts, heat from appliances, radiators, or ventilation ducts.
- The color of your poinsettia will last longer with temperatures around 65 degrees during the day and 60-65 degrees at night.
- The soil should be kept moderately moist; check every few days and water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Before watering, remove the pot covers or foil wrapping; water to saturate the soil, and then allow the pot to drain. Do not let the plant sit in standing water.
Holiday Cactus
Holiday cactus is a great way to add a burst of color indoors throughout the winter months ahead.
- These plants prefer bright, indirect light, so be sure to keep them in a well-lit location away from drafts, heat vents and other sources of hot air. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open.
- Unlike most other cactus, this one requires light to moderate watering.
Cyclamen
This cool weather bloomer boosts unusually shaped, colorful blossoms sure to brighten winter days.
- To prolong the life of your plant, water the soil as soon as it feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, and be careful not to spill water onto the crown (center) of the plant. If it becomes too dry, the leaves will wilt and may fall off, and flower buds may fall off too.
- You can also keep humidity high around plants by placing plants on a tray of moist pebbles; just don't let them sit in standing water.
Watering Tip- Soak the pot from the base in a saucer for a few minutes, then drain the water. We recommend removing the flower stalks once they have finished blooming as this can promote renewed flowering. To do this, cut the dead leaves and spent flowers off with scissors. Be sure to remove completely, as stalks left on may rot and get gray mold disease.