Today, as I write this article in late October, it is warm and sunny with temperatures predicted to push into the 80's. Hard to imagine that the holidays are only a few weeks away.

Holiday plants will soon start popping up in garden centers, stores and supermarkets. Poinsettias are the number one holiday plant followed by amaryllis and Christmas cactus. Following are growing guidelines for these popular plants.

Poinsettia

• Give poinsettias 6 hours of bright light during the holidays.
• Keep away from cold drafts.
• Ideal temperatures for poinsettias are 60–70°F.
• Water only when soil is dry. Be sure to punch a hole in the decorative foil.
• Do not allow the plant to wilt. A wilted plant may drop all its leaves.
• Water the plant to wet the soil. Wait 5-10 minutes and water again.
• Reflowering is a long and difficult process. For a factsheet on reflowering, check out the website "The Poinsettia Pages" at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia

Amaryllis

• Remove blossoms after they have withered.
• Cut flower stalks back to 3-4 inches after flowering.
• Place pot in a sunny window and fertilize once per month.
• After all danger of frost is past, sink pot in a sunny area with some
  afternoon sun.
• In September, stop watering and place pot in a cool, dark place like the basement. Remove the foliage after it dies.
• In late October start watering the plant and place it in a sunny window.
• Amaryllis should produce blooms in 6 to 8 weeks.

Christmas Cactus

• Christmas cactus should be grown in bright, indirect light.
• Mist the plant weekly to increase humidity.
• Ideal temperatures are around 70°F during the day and 60-65°F at night.
• Do not fertilize while plants are in flower. Resume fertilization once a month between April and September.
• After flowers drop, pinch back each stem to promote more branching.
• Plants can be placed outdoors after all danger of frost is past and grown in a shady or semi-shady location.
• Bring cactus indoors in September. To initiate new blooms place the plant in complete darkness from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for 6 to 8 weeks until buds form.

For a holiday plant care factsheet, call 773-233-0476