Poinsettia

Also a tradition is the Poinsettia. This usually red flowering plant is the Christmas season as the Mum is to Fall. The Poinsettia Euphoria Pulcherrima is native to South Mexico. The Poinsettia derives its name from Joel R. Poisett, an American Ambassador to Mexico in 1825. He introduced to the United States with its scarlet bracts, contrasted with its yellow flower and it has won a special place in everyone's home now, nationwide. According to (USDA) United States Department of Agriculture, Poinsettias are the number one potted plant grown in the United States and an estimated 56,300,000 poinsettias are sold annually. The plants are grown/sold from Mickys Mini - a miniature table top 2" pot to 4", 6", 8" stock plants, topiary trees, and handing baskets. Colors can range from the traditional red to white, shades of pink-marble, Jingle Bells, Monet and Peppermint.

The life of the poinsettia, if cared for properly during the holidays can be extended throughout the year.

• When selecting a poinsettia, choose tightly clustered, small, central flowers with crisp and bright foliage.
  
• When surface soil is dry to the touch, water thoroughly. Discard excess water in the saucer.
  
• To prolong color, keep a temperature range of 60 degrees for night and 72 degrees for day. High humidity is preferable.
  
• Avoid cold drafts and protect from cold winds.
  

• During Winter, continue to follow holiday upkeep tips. When bracts fade, cut back to eight inches.
  
• Lightly fertilize every three to four weeks.
  
• When temperatures are warm, place plant out-of doors; first in indirect, then direct light. Avoid temperatures below 50 degrees throughout summer.
  
• Cut back stems and branches twice during the summer. Repot if needed.
  
• On Labor Day, move plant inside. Provide six or more hours of direct light.
  
• From October 1 through mid-December, confine plant to darkness for 14 hours, giving it 10 hours of natural light. This will force the green bracts to color.
  

On a Christmas Eve long ago Pepita was sad. This little Mexican girl wanted more than anything to give a fine present to the Christ Child at the church service that evening. But she was very poor and had no gift. As she walked sorrowfully to church with her cousin, Pedro, he tried to console her. APepita, he said, AI am certain that even the most humble gift, given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.@ So Pepita gathered a bouquet of common weeds from the roadside and entered the church. As she approached the altar, her spirits lifted. She forgot the humbleness of her gift as she placed it tenderly at the feet of the Christ Child....and there was a miracle! Pepita=s insignificant weeds burst into brilliant bloom. They were called Flores de Noche Buena - Flowers of the Holy Night. We call them poinsettias.

The Euphorbia pulcherrima, or poinsettia, is native to Mexico. First cultivated by the Aztecs, it was then called Cuetlaxochitl and prized by them as a symbol of purity. The poinsettia also had practical value for the Aztecs. They made a crimson dye from the colorful bracts and a fever medicine from the milky latex that drips from poinsettias when they are cut. Seventeenth century Franciscan priests were the first to include poinsettias in their Christmas celebration. They used them in the nativity procession Fiesta of Santa Pesebre. The man who introduced poinsettias to the United States was our 1st Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. He had some sent to his home in Greenville, South Carolina in 1825......and this lovely Christmas flower has since borne his name.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) are green plants with long-lived bracts (vividly colored leaves) and golden-yellow flowers. A bit of tender loving care and the newer varieties will last longer than ever before! Place in a room where there is sufficient natural light to read fine print. Avoid drafts or excess heat from appliances, radiators or ventilating ducts. Place plant high enough to be away from traffic and out of reach of unmonitored children and animals. Put plant in or on a water-proof container to protect your furnishings. Water plant thoroughly when soil surface is dry to touch. Remember to discard excess water. To prolong bright color of bracts, temperatures should not exceed 72 degrees day or 60 degrees night.