November 26, 2005
Poinsettias for the Holiday
Nothing says Christmas like a big, beautiful red poinsettia. Poinsettias are also available in shades of pink, white and purple. Keep your poinsettias thriving throughout the holiday season by following a few simple tips:
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After you have made your poinsettia selection, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can damage the bracts and leaves.
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Unwrap your poinsettia carefully and place in a sunny window. Keep the plant from touching cold windows.
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Keep poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows.
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Ideally poinsettias require daytime temperatures of 60 to 70°F and night time temperatures around 55°F. High temperatures will shorten the plant's life. Move the plant to a cooler room at night, if possible.
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Check the soil daily. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer. Water when soil is dry. Allow water to drain into the saucer and discard excess water.
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Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month.
As to keeping the poinsettia after the holiday and trying to make it flower the following Christmas season, my recommendation is don't do it! It is very difficult to get a poinsettia to reflower. So my recommendation is to toss it once it starts to decline. If you insist on giving it a try, check out the Poinsettia Pages web site.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:12 AM | Permalink |
November 25, 2005
Looking Back at the Drought
As we get closer to the end of another year, many of us often take the time to reflect back on the events of the past year. Horticulturally, the most important event of the 2005 growing season was the drought.
I have been a part of the Chicago gardening scene for almost 22 years and I can not remember a dry spell starting so early in the growing season and continuing through the fall. As of late November, we are still several inches behind in rainfall in northeast Illinois.Many lawns went dormant and numerous Chicago suburbs imposed watering restrictions.
The effects of this summers drought will be evident for years. Many trees and shrubs may slowly die as a result of drought damage. Homeowners may want to plant moredrought resistant native plants in the future.
Check the Illinois State Water Survey's website for information on the 2005 drought and current drought conditions.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:48 PM | Permalink |
