So between your own purchases and gifts from friends or family, you now have 7 poinsettias, 3 amaryllis and a Christmas cactus. It's January 3rd. What can you do with these flowering "leftovers"?
It seems a shame to toss all these plants out. Luckily we live in a subtropical climate where these flowers may be planted outdoors. Having some good information about these holiday plants will help you decide if, when and where you should plant them in your yard.
When we lived in Maryland, as a lark, I planted a poinsettia that had survived inside through May outside. I stuck it at the end of a deck where it was partly sheltered but enjoyed a good bit of morning sun. It also benefited from watering via deck runoff. To my surprise it promptly grew into a bush about four feet high and three feet across. As danger of frost approached I dug it up and moved it to a huge planter in our dining room. But it was never the same. Here in Florida that same plant may have made it through the winter. Even if frost hits a poinsettia it can be pruned back and will likely be fine.
But first let's learn more about this most popular of holiday flowers. To debunk a myth, poinsettias, a native of Mexico, are not poisonous. But like most other plants you wouldn't want to make a salad out of it either. In general, keep it away from pets and children as some may be sensitive to the latex-like sap. To make sure your poinsettias make it until they can be safely planted outside in April when the average night temperature is 55 degrees. Like other holiday plants, poinsettias need to be kept out of drafts, get some sun and remain moist, but not overly so. Fussy, kinda like your Aunt Edna.
When April rolls around think about where a large shrub that could turn red may fit in your outdoor landscape. The bit of fussiness remains when moving the plant outside. Full sun (but not too hot or dry) and good soil that remains somewhat moist is required. Fertilize and pinch back shoots to avoid a scraggly look. When the next holiday season comes you can cut the flowers and hope it makes it through the winter. To get them to turn red shelter the plant from light as they need 1214 hours of darkness to change color starting around Halloween. That's a lot of work but you'll have something to brag about at your holiday cocktail party.
How about those amaryllis bulbs? They can easily be transplanted outside and are truly low maintenance, unlike Aunt Edna. You can plant them outside as early as January. Pick a partly sunny spot and plant with 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. Cover lightly with mulch. Plant in groups for a more dramatic look. Blooms will appear in the spring.
And finally the Christmas cactus. It too can be planted outside or placed on a patio in a container. Like poinsettias they are a bit fussy. Keep them away from drafts and too much sun while watering enough to maintain moisture. To force re-blooms for the next holiday season begin sheltering from light around Halloween for 12-14 hours.
Well, now you have all the info you need to enjoy your holiday plants year round. Give it a try and you'll have a little gardening "Christmas in July".
It seems a shame to toss all these plants out. Luckily we live in a subtropical climate where these flowers may be planted outdoors. Having some good information about these holiday plants will help you decide if, when and where you should plant them in your yard.
When we lived in Maryland, as a lark, I planted a poinsettia that had survived inside through May outside. I stuck it at the end of a deck where it was partly sheltered but enjoyed a good bit of morning sun. It also benefited from watering via deck runoff. To my surprise it promptly grew into a bush about four feet high and three feet across. As danger of frost approached I dug it up and moved it to a huge planter in our dining room. But it was never the same. Here in Florida that same plant may have made it through the winter. Even if frost hits a poinsettia it can be pruned back and will likely be fine.
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Photo by Jonathan Diemel on Unsplash
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When April rolls around think about where a large shrub that could turn red may fit in your outdoor landscape. The bit of fussiness remains when moving the plant outside. Full sun (but not too hot or dry) and good soil that remains somewhat moist is required. Fertilize and pinch back shoots to avoid a scraggly look. When the next holiday season comes you can cut the flowers and hope it makes it through the winter. To get them to turn red shelter the plant from light as they need 1214 hours of darkness to change color starting around Halloween. That's a lot of work but you'll have something to brag about at your holiday cocktail party.
How about those amaryllis bulbs? They can easily be transplanted outside and are truly low maintenance, unlike Aunt Edna. You can plant them outside as early as January. Pick a partly sunny spot and plant with 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. Cover lightly with mulch. Plant in groups for a more dramatic look. Blooms will appear in the spring.
Well, now you have all the info you need to enjoy your holiday plants year round. Give it a try and you'll have a little gardening "Christmas in July".
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