"If you've bought or received a poinsettia, remove the foil around the pot if you haven't already. Foil holds the water, and poinsettias don't like wet feet. They're also touchy about temperature (no colder than 65 degrees), nutrition, light (need strong sunlight at times), complete darkness (especially when building color for "blossoms" called bracts), insect invasions and disease. When the plant starts to look ratty, I discard.
If you are determined to keep it over for next year, you'll have to find a way to give it total darkness 14 hours a day from about Oct. 1 to mid- to late-November, and to give it bright sunlight at least three to five hours a day. Put it in a closet for 14 hours, and if someone opens the door, the total darkness is destroyed. This is one of the most difficult plants even for greenhouses to grow well."
(By Margaret Lauterbach)
OK. If, (when) I kill mine, remember, GREENHOUSES find it difficult to grow this plant.
Speaking of plants.....who isn't looking forward to spring already? I am. Well, sort of. I'm still anticipating our annual trip to the yurt next month. Always great. After that it will be time to start gearing up for spring.
Until then, I've been knitting, knitting, knitting. Made tube slipper-socks for the family for Christmas.
If you want the pattern, just email me. It was way easy and they fit great.
Now I'm starting "real" socks. (Socks with heels.) And a new sweater. Can't wait to see how they turn out. I'll keep you posted.
We've had plenty of snow so far here in Idaho. Makes for some interesting drives to work. And it's also just plain pretty.
These Junkos have been eating bird seed in our back garden.
And speaking of spring, I'm hoping to grow some of these luscious beauties this year thanks to Patsi at Heirloom Tomatoes.
(The great pictures are from her blog.)
Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?
Let me know if you've already started your spring seed planting.
