Holiday Plants
Holiday Plants
Beltrami County Master Gardener By Joyce Rairdon
As our thoughts are turning from the outdoor garden chores, many of us think about getting our homes ready for the holidays. Soon poinsettias will be on display, Christmas cacti in full bloom will catch your eye, and porch pots will fly off the shelves to decorate the entrance to your home. It seems like a good excuse to purchase one more plant before the long winter sets in. (Who needs an excuse?)
Once the holiday plants become available, people on your shopping list would enjoy an early gift to enjoy throughout the holidays and beyond. Remember, the earlier you buy them, the less cold shock they get when transporting them to their new home. Many people forget to protect sensitive plants from the colder weather. Before you leave the store, be sure they are double bagged, and on a cold day, a box over the bags is preferred for protection.
Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, indirect but bright light, and watering when the soil feels dry. They do not like to be overwatered.
Holiday cacti need bright light, placed out of drafts and watering only when the top inch of soil dries out. Cacti can thrive for years, are easily propagated and become part of holiday traditions. For cacti to bloom the following season, it needs cooler nights and shorter days in autumn.
I try my hand at growing amaryllis each year and try to time the blossoms to be ready by Christmas. Amaryllis bulbs are planted so the top one third of the bulb is above the soil line. They need little water until the stalk appears and then need to be watered consistently to keep the soil evenly moist. When the blooms fade, the stalks are trimmed off. They survive well in a sunny window to recharge the bulb for next year’s show. Once warm weather comes in the spring, amaryllis do well outdoors until the cool fall weather.
Other favorite holiday plants include cyclamen, paperwhites and Norfolk Island Pine. They need some specialized care throughout their life cycle. Most holiday plants dislike sudden temperature shifts and dry indoor air. If they are grouped together, they can be misted occasionally to boost humidity. Be sure to read their care tag for more tips on their care and feeding. Your holiday plant survival guide | UMN Extension
Making my own porch pots has become a tradition for me. I gather sumac for the red berries, dogwood for the red twigs, small birch logs for the white contrast amid the various pine and spruce branches I glean from our small acreage. A few added ribbons, a string of lights and a beautiful porch has been created.
This concludes the writing series for the Master Gardeners this season. If you are interested in having a Master Gardener speak at a meeting or event, please contact the Beltrami County Extension office at 218-444-8169. The Extension administrative assistant will direct your inquiry to Master Gardeners.