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Monday, December 13, 2010

Care of Poinsettia Plants After Christmas - YouTube Video



January to March – Keep watering when the surface is dry and misting the plant throughout the day (3-4 times). Poinsettias love the humidity the misting creates.

April
– Gradually decrease watering allowing the poinsettia plant to get dry between watering. But be careful that the plant does not shrivel. Discontinue misting during this period. After your poinsettia is used to this dryness, move it to a cool basement or any place where the temperature is about 60 degrees F for a period of about four weeks.

May – Cut the plant back to about 4-5 inches above the soil level, repot into the next size container and sprinkle one tablespoon of bone meal over the roots. At this time you may also add some slow release fertilizer, like 14-14-14, or 19-6-12 for faster growth. Water the newly transplanted plant with Superthrive or any transplant solution which contains Vitamin B1. Now it’s time to place your poinsettia plant in a sunny window where the temperature is above 65 degrees F. Mist the poinsettia daily and water when the surface is dry. If you haven’t added a slow release fertilizer while transplanting, start fertilizing with an all purpose fertilizer every two weeks as soon as new growth appears.

June
– Move your poinsettia plant outside into a partial sunny location and continue to water and fertilize it.

July – At the beginning of the month cut back each stem about an inch. This will encourage your poinsettia to branch resulting in a bushy plant. If you don’t pinch it back, your poinsettia grows tall without side branches.

August
– By now your plant should have branched well and it’s time to cut it back one more time so each shoot has about four leaves left. At this time continue with your fertilizing, misting, and watering schedule.

September
– Continue to fertilize, misting, and water and make sure the temperature stays above 65 degrees F.

October – As your poinsettia needs short days in order to set buds, you have to provide it with twelve hours of total darkness starting the first day of October. Give the plant darkness from 5 pm to 8 am every day during this period. Without these additional hours of darkness poinsettias won’t set buds and the leaves remain green. Place a box or black plastic bag over the poinsettia plant making sure no light reaches the plant. During daytime move the plant to a sunny window and continue to fertilize, misting, and water.

November
– At the end of the month discontinue the darkness treatment and leave the plant in its sunny window. At this time you should be able to see flower buds.

December
– Discontinue fertilizing about the middle of the month. Continue watering and misting and treat your poinsettia plant just like you did after you bought it. At this time your poinsettia plant should be blooming again.

Like many tropical plants poinsettias can be grown successfully indoors when properly tested and proven guidelines are followed. One can enjoy poinsettia plants for months until it is time to bring out the Easter Lily.

Next, for your Free book, Grow your Own Tropical Garden, visit Poinsettia Plants.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Poinsettia Plants - Initial Care....Video



When purchasing poinsettia plants make sure the plant is wrapped properly to protect it from cold temperatures during the trip home.

Place the poinsettia plant near a sunny window.
Maintain a temperature above 65 degrees F.
Mist the poinsettia plant daily with lukewarm water.
To avoid spots on the leaves from misting use distilled water.
Water the poinsettia when the surface is dry to the touch.
Water thoroughly until the water completely drains into the saucer.
Make sure to empty the saucer of drained water.
Keep the poinsettia plant away from all drafty areas, hot or cold air.

Next, for your FREE guide, Grow your Own Tropical Garden, visit Poinsettia Plants.

Poinsettia Plants Care & History - Press Release

Bob Walsh Enterprises proudly announces the publication of their new web page Poinsettia Plants - Care and History.

The goal was to publish this web page is to coincide with National Poinsettia Day, December 12, 2010. This day was authorized by Congress to honor Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who is recognized as being the first person to bring this very popular holiday plant to America around 1825. Mr. Poinsett died on December 12, 1851.

The poinsettia plant is not only the favorite festive Christmas Holiday plant, but it is one of the best-selling plants each year in the United States. Poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the Holiday Season. Ninety percent of all poinsettia plants are exported from the United States. The poinsettia is commercially grown in all 50 States.

Poinsettia Plants – Care and History not only celebrates the rich history of the poinsettia beginning with the Aztecs in its natural habitat in Mexico, but also offers readers detailed information on how to provide the best care for poinsettia plants. The beautifully designed videos one finds on this page add to the informative text that brings the rich history of poinsettia plants to life. This timely created and published web page explains the connection of this colorful winter-blooming plant and how it has endeared itself to the American public's psyche both socially and religiously at this time of year.

It details the efforts of one immigrant German-American family who single-handedly dedicated themselves to make the poinsettia "The Holiday Plant" here in the United States and grows over 80 percent of all poinsettia plants for commercial sales that help California to be the top poinsettia producing State in the USA.

This poinsettia producing family is credited with creating 90 percent of all poinsettia varieties found in the world today. There are over 100 different varieties of poinsettia plants.

The poinsettia plant is often misunderstood as to what the actual flowers are. This web page provides clear definitions and descriptions of the various parts of this holiday plant. The page also addresses the misconception that the poinsettia plant is poisonous.

Poinsettia Plants - Care and History provides detailed information and tips on how to care for poinsettias not only to have them survive the Holidays themselves, but also be able to enjoy them until it is time for the Easter lily to arrive on the scene sometimes in March or April.

All the detailed information on the care of poinsettia plants does not stop there. It provides a year long process of care that allows its owner to regrow the plant for the next holiday season.

In honor of National Poinsettia Day, Bob Walsh Enterprises proudly introduces Poinsettia Plants - Care and History to share with the world the rich and brightly colored history that is hidden under its own spectacular beauty that ultimately can be celebrated well beyond the holidays themselves.

Bob Walsh, author of ‘How To Grow Plumeria–Frangipani Anytime Anywhere’, has been growing tropical plants for 20-plus years in plant hardiness zone 5. For your FREE tropical plants guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, which includes many useful FREE tips on how to grow tropical plants indoors and outdoors, visit Poinsettia Plants.

Copyright © Bob Walsh Enterprises 2010

Saturday, December 11, 2010

YouTube Video - Care of Poinsettia Plants



The Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is considered the Christmas Holiday plant and is generally purchased in full bloom at this time of the year. What is the best care for the Poinsettia plant so it will survive the Holiday Season? How long can I expect the plant to last? Can it ever be planted in the garden or is it just a seasonal plant for the Holidays?
Learn how to take care of your newly purchased poinsettia plant and how to treat your poinsettia plant each month of the year to enjoy its colored bracts and flowers the following Christmas Holiday season.

Next, for your FREE guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Poinsettia Plants.

Copyright © Bob Walsh Enterprises 2010

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

History of Poinsettia Plants




Euphorbia pulcherrima, the botanical name, or poinsettia as we call it, is native to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap. The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, was given to the poinsettia by German botanist, Karl Ludwig Wilenow. The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning “very beautiful”.

The History of the Poinsettia in its Native Habitat


The Aztecs in the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries called this plant “Cuetlaxochitl” in their native Nahuatl language. Cuitllatl means “residue” and xochiti means “flower”, thus it is “the flower that grows in the residues or soil”. Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, had poinsettia plants brought up to what is present day Mexico City by caravans. The Aztecs saw the plant as a symbol of purity and used it as a dye and against fevers.

Seventeenth century Spanish botanist Don Juan Balme mentions poinsettia plants in his writings. He found the plant flourishing on the slopes and in the valleys near Cuernavaca. He described the plant as having large green leaves and a small flower surrounded by brilliant red bracts, almost as if for protection.

At the same time the Spanish Franciscan Friars, who settled in the Taxco region of southern Mexico, included the timely winter grown red blooms of the plants in their Fiesta de Pesebre, the Nativity procession. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and was named “Noche Buena” meaning Christmas Eve. The name “poinsettia” is derived from Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United States Minister to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. Mr. Poinsett first brought poinsettia plants to America.

Poinsettias are fascinating winter blooming small shrubs or trees which can grow anywhere from about two to sixteen feet tall. Dark green leaves which are about three to six inches in length add to the festive appearance of this plant.

The colored bracts of poinsettia plants are actually leaves. Colors of the bracts can be red, pink, orange, white, or marbled. These colored bracts are caused by photoperiodism. Many flowering plants use a photoreceptor protein, such as phytochrome or cryptochrome, to sense changes between daylight and the darkness of night or photoperiod, which they take as signals to flower.

People not familiar with poinsettia plants believe that the colored bracts are the actual flowers. But the flowers, called cyathia, are located at the center of each leaf bunch.

Poinsettia plants are considered toxic by many. But this is not the case. They may cause mild skin irritations to some individuals who are sensitive to it. If any part of the plant is ingested, it may cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, the sap that exudes from a broken branch may cause temporary blindness if it comes in contact with the eyes.

History of the Poinsettia's Arrival in the Unites States and its Name

The poinsettia was introduced to the United States by Mr. Poinsett in 1828. He had sent and brought cuttings from Mexico to his greenhouses in Greenville, South Carolina. He shared these cuttings with friends and other horticulturalists he knew at the time.

Euphorbia pulcherrima, the name originally given by German botanist Karl Ludwig Wilenow was changed to “Poinsettia” in honor of Mr. Poinsett in 1836 by William Prescott, the historian and horticulturalist, who was asked to rename the plant. In his newly published historical work at the time on Mexico, ‘Conquest of Mexico’, Mr. Prescott details Mr. Poinsett’s discovery of this beautiful plant in the area of Taxco del Alarcon in southern Mexico.

During the 1920s Albert Ecke and his son Paul became interested in poinsettia plants which grew wild in southern California at this time. As these plants bloomed during the Holiday season both Albert and Paul thought that this would be a perfect plant to introduce to the public. Paul continued to foster the idea of making the poinsettia the “official holiday flower” for Christmas. They grew fields of poinsettia plants and began to sell them commercially. The plants were initially sold at roadside stands in the Hollywood and Beverly Hills area.

In 1923 the family moved their business to Encinitas, about 2 hours south of the very fast developing area around Los Angeles. Encinitas proved to be the perfect location for growing poinsettias as it mirrored the growing conditions of its native Mexico where these plants grow wild.

From 1923 to the mid-1960s they grew fields of poinsettia mother plants, and shipped them to plant nurseries around the country that purchased them for cultivation and future commercial sales. Paul personally traveled the country promoting the plant to nurseries nationwide and encouraged nursery owners to market the plant as a holiday flower.

But this changed in 1963 when the first commercial-quality poinsettia cultivar was developed. It grew best as a potted plant and was introduced to the public. This dramatically changed the nature of commercially growing and selling poinsettia plants. Even for the Ecke Family Business, they moved indoors from the fields to growing these smaller plants in greenhouses. They began shipping by air freight rather than by rail.

Paul Jr. with his marketing ideas to always keep the poinsettia plant in the public eye used the very popular growing medium of television to promote these bright red and later red and white potted flowering plants. They became a part of the scenery in most every popular TV show and all the Christmas Specials during the holiday season. No holiday scene would be complete without at least one blooming poinsettia plant.

Today Dr. Ruth Kobayashi continues to produce new poinsettia hybrids for the Ecke family. Dr. Kobayashi’s work resulted in the knowledge of the most important poinsettia genetics known today. In 2002 ‘Prestige Red’ was introduced known for its outstanding branching capabilities and very sturdy stems. ‘Prestige Red’ quickly became the number one selling red poinsettia. Presently experiments continue to breed other species with the Euphorbia genus. Currently there are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias available.

Here are some of the cultivar names exhibiting some of the most spectacular poinsettia colors available today: Cortez Red, Cranberry Punch, Flirt, Galaxy Red, Marblestar, Nutcracker Pink, Monet, Plum Pudding, Silverstar White, Sonora Fire, Victory Red, White Christmas, Spotlight Apricot, and Pearl.

In addition many commercial growers have cultivated new plants which have longer lasting bract colors and lasting foliage that can survive poor watering schedules. Poinsettia growers have characteristically made today’s plants bruise resistant and more flexible with less fragile bracts that can survive shipping without dropping their leaves that allows them to arrive beautifully intact to the stores and nurseries for retail sales.

Next, for your FREE guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Poinsettia Plants.

Copyright © Bob Walsh Enterprises 2010

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Monday, December 6, 2010

Care of Amaryllis Bulbs & Amaryllis Flowers




The genus Amaryllis consists of two species. One species Amaryllis belladonna is indigenous to South Africa, specifically the Cape of Good Hope.

Sometimes Amaryllis belladonna is confused with Hippeastrum, a flowering bulb which is commonly sold during the winter months as it easily blooms indoors.

Dutch growers are considered the first commercial breeders of Hippeastrum dating back to the 18th century. Usually you see Amaryllis bulbs in nurseries and garden centers around the middle of October so they are in bloom for Christmas and through the Holiday Season.

When purchasing an Amaryllis bulb, Hippeastrum, it already has a perfect embryo flower formed. The bulb is ready to be planted.

Most Amaryllis bulbs, Hippeastrum, produce two flower stalks with each stalk producing four to six Amaryllis flowers.

What do you do when your Amaryllis stops flowering?

For your FREE guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Free Tropical Plants Guide.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Poinsettia Plants - Euphorbia Pulcherrima

Euphorbia pulcherrima, Poinsettia, is native to Mexico
and Central America. The name "poinsettia" is derived
from Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United
States Minister to Mexico. Mr. Poinsett introduced the
Poinsettia to the United States in 1828.
Euphorbia pulcherrima is also called Atatürk flower.

The colored bracts of poinsettia plants, which may be
red, cream, orange, pink, white or marbled, are actually
leaves.
These colored bracts are caused by photoperiodism.
This means that they require 12 hours of darkness at a
time to change colors. But at the same time Poinsettias
also need a lot of bright light during the day to develop
their brightest colors.

Currently there are more than 100 different varieties of
Poinsettia plants available. The flowers are located at
the center of each leaf bunch and are called cyathia.

There is a common misconception that Poinsettias are
toxic. But this is not true.
They may cause mild skin irritations to some individuals
who are sensitive to it. In addition, if eaten they may
cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.

When purchasing Poinsettia plants make sure the plant is
wrapped properly to protect it from the cold temperatures
during the trip home.

Initial care of your newly purchased Poinsettia....

• Place it near a sunny window.
• Maintain a temperature above 65 degrees F.
• Mist the plant daily with lukewarm water.
• To avoid spots from misting use distilled water.
• Water the plant when the surface is dry to the touch.
• Water thoroughly until water drains into the saucer.
• Make sure to empty the saucer of drained water.


Poinsettia care after the Holidays....

January to March - Keep watering when surface is dry
and mist daily.

April - Gradually decrease watering allowing the plant to
get dry between watering. But be careful that the plant
doesn't get too dehydrated. Discontinue misting
during this period. After your Poinsettia is used to
this dryness, move it to a cool basement or any place
where the temperature is about 60 degrees F for a period
of about four weeks.

May - Cut the plant back to about 4-5 inches
above the soil, repot it into a slightly larger container
and sprinkle a tablespoon of bone meal over the roots.
You may also add a slow release fertilizer,
such as 14-14-14, at this time. Water it with Superthrive
or any transplant solution which contains Vitamin B1.

Now it's time to place it in a sunny window where the
temperature can be kept above 65 degrees. Mist the plant
daily and water when the surface is dry.
If you haven't added a slow release fertilizer, start fertilizing
with an all purpose fertilizer every two weeks as soon as
new growth appears.

June - Move your Poinsettia plant outside into a
partial sunny location and continue to water and fertilize.

July - At the beginning of the month cut back each stem
about an inch or an inch and a half. This will encourage
your Poinsettia to branch resulting in a bushy plant.
If you don't pinch it back, your Poinsettia grows tall
without side branches.

August - By now your plant should have branched well
and it's time to cut it back one more time so each shoot
has about four or five leaves left. Continue with your
watering, misting, and fertilizing schedule.

September - Continue to water, misting, and fertilize
making sure the temperature stays above 65 degrees F.

October - As your Poinsettia plant needs short days
in order to set buds and the top leaves to change colors,
you have to give it twelve hours of total darkness starting
October 1.

This is imperative for a well colored plant.
Give the plant darkness from about 5 pm to 8 am.
This can be achieved by placing a box or black bag over
the plant. Any exposure to light during these hours of
darkness will negatively affect bud set.
During daytime move the plant back to its sunny
window and continue watering, misting, and fertilizing.

November - At the end of the month discontinue the
darkness treatment and leave the plant in its sunny
window. At this time flower buds should be present.

December - Discontinue fertilizing about the middle
of the month. Continue watering and misting, and treat
your Poinsettia plant just like you did when you bought it.
Your Poinsettia should be blooming again at this time.

Next, for your FREE guide, How To Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit Tropical Indoor Plants.

Copyright © Bob Walsh Enterprises 2010