Holiday Plants
Poinsettia
Amaryllis
Holiday Cacti
Julie Weisenhorn
U 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.
Poinsettia
Native 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
Poinsettia
Over 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
Poinsettia
Euphorbia 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
Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
• “Photoperiod plant” – sets buds and produces
flowers as winter nights get longer
• Requires 14 hours of complete darkness for 810 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 & White
Poinsettia ‘Winter Rose’
Photo: http://www.thegrowspot.com
‘Whitestar’
Photo: Stranges Garden
Center
‘Marble Star’
‘Monet Twilight’
‘Pink Cluster’
‘Picasso’
Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr
Photo: Stranges Garden Ctr
Photo: VW Garden
Photo: Shamrock Nursery
New colors, forms
Photo: Paul Ecke Poinsettia Ranch
‘Royal Blue’
Photo: Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery
Painted, glitter
Photo Credit: Megan Bame
Photo:
Lynette L.
Walther
Photo: Al’s
Garden Ctr
Traditional Mexico red is favorite
Photo: Nueva
Andalucia, Mexico
Photo: KubePak
Amaryllis
Hippeastrum 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.
Amaryllis
Native 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
‘Papillio’
Photo: http://www.gardenhousebrighton.co.uk
‘Germa’
Photo:
http://www.growquest.com
Photo: http://gardening.lohudblogs.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 Cactus
Bottom left: Easter Cactus
Above: 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 Cacti
Caring / Maintenance
• Well-drained soil;
• Let dry between
waterings;
• Fertilize monthly;
• They do well outside in
summer in part shade;
Photo: http://bakati.com
Holiday Cacti
Flowering
• “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 Cacti
Flowering
• Dropped buds
– Excessive number of
buds
– Sudden change in temp,
light or soil;
– Light interrupting the
long light period:
Photo: http://plantcrazy.blogspot.com