Jingle Bell Rock, not just a Christmas song for my fellow garden enthusiasts, but it is also one of the new varieties of poinsettias available to brighten your home this Christmas season. I had the opportunity to spend an hour on location with Mark Landa, owner of Boulevard Flower Gardens on Ruffin Mill Road last week. Boulevard is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015 and has produced poinsettias since the late 80’s. Part of that time was spent in the green house where they produce over 8,000 plants annually. They have over 20 varieties in colors such as red, pink, cream, peach and variegated or multicolored. Mark, a gracious host and passionate poinsettia producer told me this year was “the nicest crop I have ever seen.” Mark has a few tips on how to keep poinsettias colorful through January.
First, like many indoor plants, lighting is critical. Placing the plant near a brightly lit window and not in the middle of a room is a must. Second is consistent watering and good drainage. One way to tell if the plant needs water is to place your index finger down to the first knuckle. If its dry then water until it drains from the pot. If you want to leave the attractive foil around the pot, be sure to place a few drain holes at the bottom. Another way to determine if the plant needs water is to pick it up. If it feels too light chances are it needs watering. However, poinsettias are an unforgiving plant if kept too wet so allow the soil to dry, not to the point of the plant is wilting between watering. As Mark says, “don’t try to give the plant three weeks of water in one day”.
Another tip is poinsettias require feeding. Feed the plant with a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer at one half of the application rate each time you water the plant. Finally and perhaps the most important tip is intact cyathias. I know, what is a cyathia? In normal language, the showy leaves, which are called bracts, surround the flower of the plant called the cyathia. In the store, the cyathia will have a green or red tip and should not be open so the yellow pollen is exposed. Purchase the plant with the cyathia intact to retain the bracts longer.
Follow me on Twitter @vngardener
