Holiday Plant Care
November 12, 2011 by Deb · Leave a Comment
Holiday Plants like Poinsettias, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, and paperwhites add interest and color to any holiday display. Proper care of these plants can keep them looking beautiful beyond the holiday season.
A few tips from the Plantlady:
Poinsettia Care:
– Keep soil slightly moist. Water when surface feels powdery making sure to keep water off the leaves. Luke-warm tap water is best. To cut down on watering needs use a wetting agent or subirrigation. Place your Poinsettia in a sunny location free from drafts. Remove dead leaves and flowers to keep your Poinsettia looking fresh and healthy.
Amaryllis Care:
-Plant in two inches of soil making sure to leave about one-third of the bulb exposed. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. Place in sunny location. Blooms will emerge in 7-10 weeks. Keep away from heat sources.
Christmas Cactus:
-To have your cactus blooming by the holidays make sure to place in a spot that receives bright light during the day and total darkness at night starting in mid October. Water when soil begins to feel dry. After the blooms have faded make sure to prune back the plant to encourage it to branch out.
Paperwhites:
– Fill container part way with rock. Set Paperwhite bulbs onto the stones, pushing them down just far enough so the bulbs are supported in an upright position. Put several of them together. Add water just to the bottom of the bulb. If the water covers too much of the bulb, they can rot. Now put them in a cool, dark place for one to two weeks. When the roots have begin to take hold, and the plant has sprung from the bulb, take the pot out into a brightly lit room. Four to six weeks later, your Paperwhites will be in bloom.
For more Plantlady tips on taking care of your Holiday Plants join us for our Poinsettia and Holiday Plant Care Class on November 19th at 11:00 a.m.