You’ve received a beautiful poinsettia for Christmas and you want to keep it looking nice as long as possible. Or you’ve decorated a small Norfolk Island Pine instead of a big Christmas tree this year and want to keep it as a houseplant after the decorations come off. What to do?
Many gift plant pots come wrapped in colorful aluminum foil. Remove the foil or punch holes in the bottom of it just below the drainage openings of the pot inside so water will drain out. Place the plant on a saucer to protect your furniture.
When you receive a gift plant, look it over carefully for pests that may spread to your other houseplants. Poinsettias may have whiteflies which can be removed by a good washing using your kitchen sprayer or in the shower.
According to Rachelle Kernen, Retail Manager at Pansies Nursery in Neenah, poinsettias should never be placed in the sun. Bright but indirect light from a south or west window is best. The soil should be kept moist but not dripping wet. Nighttime temperatures of 60-65 degrees will keep the plant lasting longer. They should not be subjected to drafts or sudden temperature changes. When the red leaves dry up and fall off, poinsettias can be grown as green houseplants and even transplanted outdoors in spring.
Norfolk Island Pines are the lacy evergreen miniature Christmas trees in pots that are often sold already decorated. It is an extremely tolerant plant that will survive in cool or warm temperatures, and light or dark locations, but branchlets will droop when light is limited. The best growth is obtained in the sun with a temperature of about 65 degrees and soil kept moist.
The soil of Christmas cactuses should be kept constantly moist. They prefer sunshine and form flower buds at a 55 degree night temperature regardless of day length, or a night temperature of 63-65 degrees during short days. Flower buds may drop if the temperature is too high or the light intensity is too low.
Red and white chrysanthemums are popular this time of year. They should have abundant moisture with good drainage and should be kept in full sun in order to develop their full color. The flowers will last a long time if they are kept cool at night, but the plants are not worth keeping after the flowers die.
Red, white and pink begonias are another holiday gift plant. They should be kept in the full sun of a south window in winter, but moved to a shadier area in summer. Begonias like a uniform water supply and thrive best with a minimum temperature of 60 degrees. The plants will not flower if night temperatures are over 70 degrees during the short-day period of winter. Begonias are good bedding plants that can be planted outdoors in spring.
Don’t forget to care for your largest holiday plant – your Christmas tree. Make sure to keep it well-watered so it doesn’t become a fire hazard.
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