BY KENT LOWER
BEAUTIFUL
BLOOMS FOR CHRISTMAS CHEER
Th e holidays are a time for happiness and cheer; a time to
enjoy with loved ones. Th e Christmas tree is up and boasting
the many ornaments you’ve collected over the years.
Th e stockings are carefully hung from the mantel. Th e
delicious aromas of holiday baking permeate through the
house. And festive, colorful plants displayed in your home
add to the atmosphere and bring about a feeling of joy to
your holiday decor.
Following are a few of the more popular Christmas houseplants
and tips to help you properly care for these beautiful blooms, to
ensure their lasting beauty all season long.
POINSETTIA
Th e poinsettia is probably the one that most quickly comes to
mind when you think of Christmas houseplants. Th eir vibrant
leaves echo the colors and spirit of the season. To care for your
poinsettia, follow these guidelines:
– Avoid exposing them to extreme cold. Your vehicle should be
warm for transporting.
– Place your plants in a room with suffi cient natural light to read
fi ne print. Poinsettias will droop and may develop yellow leaves
if the light is too low.
– Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Do
not leave plants sitting in excess water.
– Avoid draft s or excess heat from fi replaces, appliances, radiators,
or ventilating ducts.
– To prolong color and longevity, room temperatures should not
exceed a daytime temperature of 74 degrees F and not below 60
degrees F at night.
– Poinsettias are not poisonous and research indicates that they
are not harmful to people or animals. However, it is not recom-
mended that they be eaten.
CYCLAMEN
In our area, the fl orist cyclamen is intended to be grown indoors in
order to enjoy their colorful fl owers and pretty foliage in the home
during the fall and winter months. Some are lightly fragrant of citrus.
To get the most out of your cyclamen, keep in mind the following:
– You may fi nd that a cool window will be the preferred spot for it.
– Be sure to keep it cool. Ideal temperatures are between 40 degrees
F and 50 degrees F at night and less than 68 degrees F during the
day. It will decline over time if kept above 70 degrees F in a dry
home. A cool spot at night will help it tolerate indoor conditions.
– Cyclamen prefer bright light. From late autumn to early spring,
provide as much light as possible.
– When watering, be sure to not overwater or underwater. Once
the soil surface feels dry, it’s time to water. Th e plant should not
be allowed to go limp. Cyclamen like a good soaking and then
to dry out partially before being watered again. Overwatering
can lead to rot problems.
– Do not water the center of your cyclamen. It’s better to set the
plant in a bowl or deep saucer and pour water into the saucer
so the plant can take up the water from the bottom. Pour off
excess water aft er 10 minutes or so to help prevent the tuber
from rotting.
– Fertilize cyclamen every three to four weeks with a half-strength
solution of water-soluble fertilizer labeled for indoor plants.
Overfeeding will probably result in more leaves than fl owers.
– Remove dead fl owers with a sharp tug on the stems. If that fails,
wait a day or so before trying again.
– Most people discard their cyclamen once it stops blooming and
the leaves begin to run yellow. In late spring, this is a sign that
the plant is preparing to go dormant.
44 CIRCA Magazine | October • November • December 2020 | www.circamagazine.com
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