GardeningPros

by Angela Lytle

Poinsettias were an integral part of Christmas tradition long before their arrival in America dating back to 16th century, Mexico. Since their introduction to America in the 1800’s, poinsettias have risen in popularity and have taken a firm place among holiday traditions and festive décor, with sales topping an astounding 60 million plants yearly during the holiday season.

With more than 100 varieties available, the task of simply choosing one can be a daunting experience. Once chosen, caring for, nurturing and prolonging the life of your poinsettia can be an even greater feat to accomplish. The poinsettia is a delicate plant that is very sensitive to both handling and climate. You must give the utmost care when choosing and caring for your poinsettia in order to have a vibrant, healthy and long lasting plant you can enjoy long after the holiday season is over.

Miracle at Christmas!

The poinsettia legend was born in 16th century Mexico when a poor little girl named Pepita and her cousin Pedro were going to a local chapel to attend Christmas Eve services. Pepita walked along saddened because she did not have a gift for the Christ child. Her cousin Pedro comforted her by saying, “I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in his eyes.” She continued to walk along not knowing what to give. Finally, she knelt by the roadside and picked a handful of weeds common to the area, forming a small make shift bouquet.

Saddened even more now, embarrassed and ashamed, she tried not to cry. Entering the chapel, she went to the altar remembering her cousin Pedro’s comforting words, “Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in his eyes.” With love in her heart, she laid the weed bouquet by the nativity scene. Suddenly, the weeds burst open revealing majestic blooms of red and all who saw the transformation felt sure they had witnessed a miracle.

The bright blooms that were once mere weeds, from that moment forward became “Flowers of the Holy Night,” boldly displaying their bright red bracts each year at Christmas time.

Coming to America

Euphorbia Pulcherrima (meaning the most beautiful Euphorbia) made their debut in America in 1828 thanks to Joel Robert Poinsett. While on assignment as the first American Minister to Mexico, Poinsett stumbled upon and became mesmerized by the native plant, and could not wait to return it to the United States where he was an avid lover of botany. The plant was propagated and distributed among his friends and sent to various botanical gardens, eventually the plant made its way to Robert Bruist who operated a nursery. Bruist was the first person to sell Euphorbia Pulcherrima commercially, helping to establish it’s place within the American Christmas tradition.

Euphorbia Pulcherrima was renamed poinsettia in 1836 in honor of Joel Robert Poinsett. Upon Poinsett’s death, Congress enacted National Poinsettia Day, celebrated each year on the 12th day of December.

Choosing the Perfect Poinsettia

In order to prolong the life of your poinsettia, it is important to know what to look for so you will choose a healthy plant. With more than 100 varieties, a multitude of colors such as reds, whites, pinks, peaches, stripes and marbles, as well as festive names like plum pudding, holly point, jingle bells, and snowberry, it is easy to be a bit indecisive.

Regardless of your favorite color or catchy name, fundamental characteristics to look for when choosing your poinsettia are the same. You should look for and only buy plants that have firm stout stems with lots of green leafy foliage that reaches all the way down to the soil line. The plant should exhibit rich bold colors boasting fully extended and stiff bracts. The yellow flowers of the plant should be intact and rigid. Be sure to feel the soil; it should be moist to the touch. If the soil feels too wet or too dry, it indicates the plant may be in poor condition and will not last long. Another way to tell if a poinsettia is in poor condition is to look for drooping or missing bracts, sparse leaf coverage or signs of wilting. These plants are not healthy and are not a wise choice for purchase.

Pampering Your Poinsettia

Once you have chosen the perfect poinsettia to adorn your Christmas festivities, it is important to know proper techniques for keeping the plant vibrant in order to prolong its life. Care of your poinsettia begins the minute you purchase it. Before you leave the store, cover it with a loose fitting shopping bag to protect it against a violent temperature change from inside the store to outside elements. Leave it covered until you have it home. It is essential to keep your poinsettia warm, as they are delicate sensitive plants, which prefer warm humid environments. They thrive best in controlled temperatures between 68 and 70 degrees during the day and no lower than 65 degrees at night. You should be sure to keep the plant away from heating and air ducts, drafty doorways, or any other temperature changing situations, as fluctuations in temperature will upset the poinsettia causing it to drop bracts.

Poinsettias require a lot of exposure to light. They need at least six hours per day of indirect sunlight. It is best to set the poinsettia in a place where sunlight can shine through a window deflected by a sheer curtain or other means used to diffuse contact with direct sunlight.

Poinsettias are picky drinkers and need controlled amounts of water. The best way to be sure your poinsettia has the proper amount of water is to touch the soil daily. Soil should be moist to the touch at all times, not too wet, not too dry. It is best to have your poinsettia in a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom to less excess water escape. Too much or not enough water can cause root damage, wilting, and bract loss, which will result in the plant’s death.

Once your poinsettia is past the blooming season, it will need fertilizer to give it an extra boost of vitality. An all-purpose fertilizer will work best to pep up your plant but be sure to wait until after the blooming season before applying any fertilizer.

Although poinsettias are delicate and sensitive plants, a little tender loving care will go a long way to having a healthy vibrant plant you can enjoy throughout the holiday season and beyond!

About the Author: Angela Lytle is a self-employed mother of four and publisher of Christmas Decorations Online a website that features holiday decorations from easy to use Artificial Christmas Trees for your home that will last for years to colorful Outdoor Christmas Lights to brighten up your holiday display.