Holiday Plants Poinsettia Amaryllis Holiday Cacti Julie Weisenhorn U of MN Extension
Jan 20, 2016
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