Poinsettia Parade

Holiday staple and favorite of mothers everywhere!

You definitely should have this information in case Christmas dinner gets awkward December 12th is Poinsettia Day Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family The scientific name of the plant is Euphorbia pulcherrima Contrary to popular belief the plant parts of the poinsettia are not poisonous. Research done at Ohio State University confirms that an obscene amount must be ingested before posing a health risk. Although the sap of the poinsettia may cause irritation to those with a latex allergy and may cause mild irritation and upset stomach to pets. The poinsettia is Native to Mexico where it is a perennial shrub that will grow 10-15′ tall.

The showy colored parts of Poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts which are modified leaves. The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts.

The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting Poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing. The colors of the bracts are created through “photoperiodism”, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. Poinsettias contribute over $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level

They are the best selling potted plant in the united states. California leading in production. It is estimated that women account for 80% of poinsettia sales worldwide Be sure to share this with your family at dinner and our blog/pages/podcast! Merry Christmas Friends http://extension.illinois.edu/poinsettia/facts.cfm

Poinsettia Care Calendar

The challenge of growing poinsettias lies in getting them to bloom again. Follow this care schedule to encourage years of growth and flowering. Winter: (January – March) Continue watering and enjoying your poinsettia in a sunny window for as long as it’s blooming.

• Spring: (March – May) After the blooms fade, the plant enters a resting season until summer. Prune your plant back to 6”-8” tall. Reduce watering and allow the plant to get completely dry between waterings.
• Summer: (May – September) Repot if needed in very light potting mix, moving to a slightly larger pot if it appears root-bound. When you see new growth, begin feeding every two weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer. Pinch back the stems as they grow, to encourage branching. You can put your poinsettia outdoors for the summer, but be sure to bring it back inside before temperatures drop into the 50s F.
• Fall: (October) Poinsettias bloom in response to shorter days. For about 8-10 weeks prior to the desired bloom time, put your poinsettia in complete darkness for 12-15 hours per day. You can cover it with a thick cardboard box or black plastic bag, or move the plant to a closet, but it needs TOTAL darkness for at least 12 hours per day – even indoor lighting will disrupt the process. During the day, remove the covering and make sure the plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. Water and feed as usual.
• Holiday Blooms: (November – December) After 8-10 weeks of darkness treatment, you should see flower buds on your poinsettia. Once you do, you can discontinue the darkness treatment and bring it back out to your window after Thanksgiving to enjoy. Continue watering, but stop feeding until spring.

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-poinsettias-year-round/

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”

Gingo biloba

This tree is truly one of kind. This is the oldest living species of tree today and unlike any other this trees leaves exhibit dichotomous venation, which means it has parallel veins that repeatedly fork in two reaching the tips without any detours.

Mature height: 50 to 80′
Mature width: 40 to 60′
Growth rate: Slow to medium
Plant form: Pyramidal in youth, spreading at maturity

Light: Full sun
Soil texture: Prefers sandy soils, adaptable to other textures
Soil pH: Adaptable
Soil moisture: Prefers moist and well-drained soils, adapts to dry and wet soils and excessively-drained and poorly-drained soils. Does not tolerate standing water.
Hardiness zone: 4 to 8
Pests and stresses: None of importance
Other: Tolerant of heat, wind, compacted soils, air pollution, soil salts