Holiday Plants Poinsettia Amaryllis Holiday Cacti

1. Holiday PlantsPoinsettiaAmaryllisHoliday Cacti Julie Weisenhorn U of MN Extension

2. “Humble Weed” • Legend has it that poinsettias began as a humble weed; • Turned into brilliant red blooms when a little girl—with no means for a grander gift—placed poinsettia on a church alter;

3. Poinsettia“The Christmas Flower” • Symbol of good cheer and merriment • Ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. • Noche Buena, the Winter Rose, the Christmas Star, the Flame Leaf and the StellediNatalle.

4. PoinsettiaNative to Mexico & Guatemala • Named after Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, • 1825 - introduced to the U.S. • December birthday flower • Not poisonous, as they were long believed to be. Photo: Duarte Nursery Poinsettias

5. PoinsettiaOver 100 varieties • Outdoors – grow as shrubs to small trees • Two to 16-ft tall • Three to 6-inch dark green leaves (bracts) • Leaves are often mistaken as flowers. Poinsettia 'Cranberry Punch'Photo: Henryr10 on Flickr

6. PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima • “Cyathia” • The actual flowers • Grouped within the small yellow structures • Found in the center of each leaf bunch • Bracts (leaves) turn white, cream, red, pink, orange, blue, pale green, marbled. Photo: U of Florida Extension

7. A major floriculture crop Photo: Walter Knoll Florist Commercial Service

8. PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima • “Photoperiod plant” – sets buds and produces flowers as winter nights get longer • Requires 14 hours of complete darkness for 8-10 wks in autumn in order to develop flowers. • Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production.

9. Caring for Poinsettias • Bright sunny window (ideal: 6 hrs minimum) • 65 – 70° F; avoid drafts and dry air, excess heat • Chilling injury below 50° F • Allow excess water to drain. Do not let plant sit in water, but keep soil moist. • Fertilize after blooming

10. Varieties – Pink & White Poinsettia ‘Winter Rose’Photo: http://www.thegrowspot.com ‘Whitestar’ Photo: Stranges Garden Center ‘Pink Cluster’Photo: VW Garden ‘Picasso’Photo: Shamrock Nursery ‘Monet Twilight’Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr ‘Marble Star’Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr

11. New colors, forms Photo: Paul Ecke Poinsettia Ranch ‘Royal Blue’Photo: Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery

12. Painted, glitter Photo Credit: Megan Bame Photo: Lynette L. Walther Photo: Al’s Garden Ctr

13. Traditional Mexico red is favorite Photo: Nueva Andalucia, Mexico Photo: KubePak

14. AmaryllisHippeastrumspecies • Amaryllis - Greek word "amarysso," which means "to sparkle." • In Greek mythology, named for Amaryllis in love with a gardener, Alteo. • Alteo’s only desire was for a new flower. • Amaryllis was instructed by the Oracle to walk everyday for a month to his door, piercing her own heart each day with a golden arrow. • The blood flowing from Amaryllis' heart created a beautiful flower.

15. AmaryllisNative to Peru, South Africa • Brought to Europe in the 1700’s; • Mentioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1811; • Can bloom for up to 75 years; • Confused with belladonna lily; • Hybridized – no longer a true amaryllis; • Hippeastrum is genus for cultivated amaryllis hybrids; • Poisonous if eaten in large quantities.

16. Planting Amaryllis • Tender bulb • Select firm bulbs with no mold, injury • Pot 1-2” larger than the bulb • Good drainage • One-third to ½ of bulb should show above the potting medium

17. Caring for AmaryllisTo force the bulb to rebloom next winter • Gradually reduce water in August; • Allow foliage to dieback; • Requires “resting period”. In Sept. put in the dark, cool dry place without water.; Photo: http://www.judithbakermontano.com

18. Caring for Amaryllis • Check occasionally; • Put in light if new growth appears or after 8-12 wks; • Repot the amaryllis in fresh soil; • Place in a bright sunny window; • Fertilize with high P content when bulb begins to grow. Photo: http://www.dutchgrowers.ca

19. Variety & Interest ‘Papillio’Photo: http://www.gardenhousebrighton.co.uk ‘Germa’Photo: http://www.growquest.com Photo: http://gardening.lohudblogs.com

20. Photo: http:// ffd.edu.ms

21. Holiday Cacti • Thanksgiving Cactus Schlumbergeratruncata • Pointed teeth along leaf • Christmas Cactus Schlumbergerabridgesii • Flat leaves with rounded teeth on margin • Easter Cactus Hatioragaertneri • Pointed teeth with fibrous hairs at leaf joints • Most sold as Christmas cacti around Thanksgiving and will keep blooming at Thanksgiving Photo: Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein

22. Top left: Thanksgiving Cactus Bottom left: Easter Cactus Above: Christmas Cactus

23. Holiday Cacti • Epiphytes • Variety of colors; • If cared for properly, plants are long-lived; • Often passed down through generations; • Easy to propagate with cuttings; Photo: http://www.dannylipford.com

24. Holiday CactiCaring / Maintenance • Well-drained soil; • Let dry between waterings; • Fertilize monthly; • They do well outside in summer in part shade; Photo: http://bakati.com

25. Holiday CactiFlowering • “Short day “ plants: • They bloom when nights are at least 15 hours long • Will also bloom if exposed to temps between 50-55° F • After flowering, prune plants to encourage branching. Photo: http://plantcrazy.blogspot.com

26. Holiday CactiFlowering • Dropped buds • Excessive number of buds • Sudden change in temp, light or soil; • Light interrupting the long light period: Photo: http://plantcrazy.blogspot.com