Holiday PlantsPoinsettiaAmaryllis

Holiday Cacti

Julie WeisenhornU of MN Extension

“Humble Weed”

• Legend has it that poinsettias began as a humble weed;

• Turned into brilliant red blooms when a little girl—with no means for a grander gift—placed poinsettia on a church alter;

Poinsettia“The Christmas Flower”

• Symbol of good cheer and merriment

• Ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity.

• Noche Buena, the Winter Rose, the Christmas Star, the Flame Leaf and the Stelle di Natalle.

PoinsettiaNative to Mexico & Guatemala

• Named after Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico,

• 1825 - introduced to the U.S.

• December birthday flower

• Not poisonous, as they were long believed to be.

Photo: Duarte Nursery Poinsettias

PoinsettiaOver 100 varieties

• Outdoors – grow as shrubs to small trees

• Two to 16-ft tall• Three to 6-inch dark

green leaves (bracts)• Leaves are often

mistaken as flowers.

Poinsettia 'Cranberry Punch'Photo: Henryr10 on Flickr

PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima

• “Cyathia” – The actual flowers– Grouped within the

small yellow structures – Found in the center of

each leaf bunch

• Bracts (leaves) turn white, cream, red, pink, orange, blue, pale green, marbled. Photo: U of Florida Extension

A major floriculture crop

Photo: Walter Knoll Florist Commercial Service

PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima

• “Photoperiod plant” – sets buds and produces flowers as winter nights get longer

• Requires 14 hours of complete darkness for 8-10 wks in autumn in order to develop flowers.

• Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production.

Caring for Poinsettias

• Bright sunny window (ideal: 6 hrs minimum)• 65 – 70° F; avoid drafts and dry air, excess

heat• Chilling injury below 50° F• Allow excess water to drain. Do not let plant

sit in water, but keep soil moist.• Fertilize after blooming

Varieties – Pink & WhitePoinsettia ‘Winter Rose’

Photo: http://www.thegrowspot.com

‘Whitestar’Photo: Stranges Garden

Center

‘Marble Star’Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr

‘Monet Twilight’Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr

‘Picasso’Photo: Shamrock Nursery

‘Pink Cluster’Photo: VW Garden

New colors, forms

Photo: Paul Ecke Poinsettia Ranch

‘Royal Blue’Photo: Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery

Painted, glitter

Photo Credit: Megan Bame

Photo: Al’s Garden Ctr

Photo: Lynette L.

Walther

Traditional Mexico red is favorite

Photo: Nueva Andalucia, Mexico

Photo: KubePak

AmaryllisHippeastrum species

• Amaryllis - Greek word "amarysso," which means "to sparkle."

• In Greek mythology, named for Amaryllis in love with a gardener, Alteo.

• Alteo’s only desire was for a new flower.

• Amaryllis was instructed by the Oracle to walk everyday for a month to his door, piercing her own heart each day with a golden arrow.

• The blood flowing from Amaryllis' heart created a beautiful flower.

AmaryllisNative to Peru, South Africa

• Brought to Europe in the 1700’s;

• Mentioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1811;

• Can bloom for up to 75 years;• Confused with belladonna lily;• Hybridized – no longer a true

amaryllis;• Hippeastrum is genus for

cultivated amaryllis hybrids;• Poisonous if eaten in large

quantities.

Planting Amaryllis• Tender bulb• Select firm bulbs with

no mold, injury• Pot 1-2” larger than

the bulb• Good drainage• One-third to ½ of

bulb should show above the potting medium

Caring for Amaryllis To force the bulb to rebloom next winter• Gradually reduce water in

August;• Allow foliage to dieback;• Requires “resting period”. In

Sept. put in the dark, cool dry place without water.;

Photo: http://www.judithbakermontano.com

Caring for Amaryllis

• Check occasionally; • Put in light if new growth

appears or after 8-12 wks;• Repot the amaryllis in

fresh soil;• Place in a bright sunny

window;• Fertilize with high P

content when bulb begins to grow.

Photo: http://www.dutchgrowers.ca

Variety & Interest

Photo: http://gardening.lohudblogs.com

‘Papillio’Photo: http://www.gardenhousebrighton.co.uk

‘Germa’Photo: http://www.growquest.com

Photo: http:// ffd.edu.ms

Holiday Cacti• Thanksgiving Cactus

Schlumbergera truncata– Pointed teeth along leaf

• Christmas Cactus Schlumbergera bridgesii– Flat leaves with rounded teeth

on margin• Easter Cactus

Hatiora gaertneri– Pointed teeth with fibrous hairs

at leaf joints

• Most sold as Christmas cacti around Thanksgiving and will keep blooming at Thanksgiving Photo: Staten Island

Advance/Irving Silverstein

Top left: Thanksgiving CactusBottom left: Easter CactusAbove: Christmas Cactus

Holiday Cacti

• Epiphytes• Variety of colors;• If cared for properly,

plants are long-lived;• Often passed down

through generations;• Easy to propagate with

cuttings;

Photo: http://www.dannylipford.com

Holiday CactiCaring / Maintenance

• Well-drained soil; • Let dry between

waterings;• Fertilize monthly;• They do well outside in

summer in part shade;

Photo: http://bakati.com

Holiday CactiFlowering

• “Short day “ plants:– They bloom when nights

are at least 15 hours long

• Will also bloom if exposed to temps between 50-55° F

• After flowering, prune plants to encourage branching.

Photo: http://plantcrazy.blogspot.com

Holiday CactiFlowering

• Dropped buds– Excessive number of

buds– Sudden change in temp,

light or soil;– Light interrupting the

long light period:

Photo: http://plantcrazy.blogspot.com