Caring for Christmas trees, poinsettias
Amy Jordan, Special to The Gazette
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Christmas trees and poinsettias are popular holiday symbols and decorations, as well as horticultural commodities.
Fresh Christmas trees are grown or sold across the state, and many greenhouses and floral shops produce and sell poinsettia plants.
There are many options for both of these items, but use these tips to make good selections and help the plants last throughout the season.
Fresh trees can be purchased at Christmas tree farms, or lots with pre-cut trees. Many lots are organized by local service groups, so tree purchases could benefit the community as well. The Flint Hills Optimist Club operates the tree lot in Emporia.
If a pre-cut tree is being purchased, choose one that feels heavy and has flexible needles that do not pull off the branches easily when tugged on. Re-cut at least 1 inch off the base of the tree and immediately place it in water. If the tree will not be placed in water within 6 hours, re-cut the base again.
Choose a tree stand with a large water reservoir that holds several quarts of water. Check the reservoir often and do not let the water level drop below the base of the tree. A tree may drink a gallon of water in the first 24 hours, the several pints each day after. Plain, lukewarm tap water is sufficient. Place the tree in a cool room, away from heaters, heating vents, fireplaces or stoves.
After Christmas, the tree can be taken to a local collection where the trees will be used for mulch or wildlife habitat.
Poinsettias are fairly finicky about soil moisture and they’re somewhat particular about light and temperature. A sure way to reduce their “pretty” time, for example, is to keep them too wet or dry.
Poinsettias do not like ‘wet feet.’ Be very careful not to overwater them. At the same time, though, if you let them dry to the point of wilting, the plants will drop leaves. Check them every day, just by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s dry to this depth, the plants need water.
The best process is to use lukewarm water, apply it until water runs out of the pot’s drainage hole. Remove any decorative wrap from the pot prior to watering.
Poinsettias also want a sunny window or the brightest area of their room. Yet, they do NOT want to touch cold windowpanes, because that can cause damage.
Room temperatures above 75 degrees will shorten their bloom life. Temperatures below 60 can cause root rot. Poinsettias really prefer daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees and nighttime temperatures between 60 and 65. Sometimes the only way to keep them happy is to move them away from windows at night or to draw the drapes between them and a nearby window.
With this kind of care and some careful trimming and repotting next spring, a poinsettia can become an indoor foliage houseplant or a medium-size garden shrub next summer. Then, if kept or moved indoors next September, but exposed only to natural light as the days get shorter and nights get longer, it also will bloom again in time for the following holiday season.