Backyard Wisdom

Mistletoe—Just What Is It?

It’s a safe bet that that lots of folks have some mistletoe somewhere in their homes as part of the holiday décor. After all, who hasn’t stolen a kiss under a sprig of mistletoe at some time in their life? But have you ever really given much thought to mistletoe?

Tony Glover, a friend and colleague of mine at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, has an excellent article on mistletoe at his blog, Heart of Dixie Gardener. Check it out.

Poinsettias Brighten Homes during Holidays

Poinsettias are the classic holiday flower. My husband and I got married during the holiday season so white poinsettias were the backbone of the floral decorations for the wedding. Back then, choice of colors was limited. Now they come in a huge array of colors and sizes. Just a few decades ago, there were only about five varieties. Now there are more than 100.

Choices Abound

You can find them in shades of red, pink and white as well as deep burgundy and even purple. There are marble varieties and selections that appear as if the second color was spattered on. In addition to choice in color there are choices in foliage and bracts. One variety, Winter Rose, has multiple layers of bracts giving it a more flower-like appearance. Another variety has more pointed leaves for a holly-like effect.

I am pretty old-fashioned. You won’t find any purple poinsettias in my house this season. The same is true about poinsettias that have been painted or embellished with glitter. Now—these are good choices for some folks, just not me. Right now, I have about a dozen red ones placed around my house.

Selecting the Right One

If you follow a few basic guidelines, you can enjoy poinsettias longer. Choosing the right poinsettia to bring home is the first consideration. Select a dense, well-branched plant. A poinsettia in a six-inch pot should have at least five sets of colored bracts. Bracts are not flowers, but modified leaves. Look at the center of colored bracts, and you will see the actual poinsettia flowers. They are small urn-shaped structures that are yellow-green. Look for plants where only a few of the actual flowers are open. Open flowers have a small tuft of anthers poking out of the top.

Check out this video from Dr. Raymond Kessler on selecting and caring for poinsettias.

Making It Last

After you buy your poinsettias, avoid exposing them to very cold temperatures when you take them home. Retailers should put the poinsettia in a plastic or paper sleeve to protect them during the car ride home. But remove that sleeve as soon as you get home.

Next water the plant. You should water it until water flows freely from the drainage holes. Water again only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Poinsettias in full color generally do not need fertilizer.

Selecting the proper location to display your poinsettias is another key to a long-lasting poinsettia. They are tropical plants and cannot tolerate cold, drafty locations. However, a spot where a heating vent blows on the plant is not a good choice either. Place them in a bright, well-lit spot. If the temperature is comfortable for you, it should be good for your flowers. If you choose to place a poinsettia in a less than ideal location, move it to a brighter spot during the day to ensure the plant gets enough light.