1. Holiday Plants Poinsettia Amaryllis Holiday Cacti Julie Weisenhorn U of MN Extension

2. “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;

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. A major floriculture crop Photo: Walter Knoll Florist Commercial Service

8. Poinsettia Euphorbia 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.

9. 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

10. Varieties – Pink & White Poinsettia ‘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

11. New colors, forms Photo: Paul Ecke Poinsettia Ranch ‘Royal Blue’ Photo: Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery

12. Painted, glitter Photo Credit: Megan Bame Photo: Al’s Garden Ctr Photo: Lynette L. Walther

13. Traditional Mexico red is favorite Photo: Nueva Andalucia, Mexico Photo: KubePak

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Variety & Interest Photo: http://gardening.lohudblogs.com ‘Papillio’ Photo: http://www.gardenhousebrighton.co.uk ‘Germa’ Photo: http://www.growquest.com

20. Photo: http:// ffd.edu.ms

21. 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

22. Top left: Thanksgiving Cactus Bottom left: Easter Cactus Above: Christmas Cactus

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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