Christmas Season House Plants

Now that we are into the Christmas season we will see, and maybe even have, one or more of the holiday plants in our home. There are several varieties that most of us will only see at this time of the year. Here are a few of them that are available here in our area: Christmas Cactus, Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Amaryllis and the ever popular Poinsettia. These plants brighten our homes, offices, churches and hospital rooms at this time of the year. They make a fine gift that lasts for weeks if not months.

Poinsettia

Here are some things to consider to keep them growing well after you purchase one to enjoy where you live or work. They will do well when they have adequate light and moderate temperatures and are watered regularly. Proper watering is likely to be the most challenging aspect of keeping plants healthy in the home or wherever you choose to enjoy it. No need to be concerned about fertilizing for the first 6 weeks or so. In order to keep your plants growing healthy, avoid keeping the soil either too wet or too dry. What we want to do is to try and avoid the extremes by watering well when needed and then waiting a couple of days before watering again. Be sure the plant has good drainage and doesn't sit in water for more than a few minutes, pour the water out of the saucer or the roots will suffer from the lack of oxygen and begin to deteriorate. One way to tell if your plants need to be watered is to use the "one knuckle" test. Using your index finger, place it into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil feels damp to the touch and the soil tends to stick to your finger, the soil is wet enough and the plant should not be watered. Another way to tell if the plant needs watering is to pick it up, checking the weight. After some experience it becomes rather simple to tell if a plant needs to be watered by how heavy the plant feels and whether it needs to be watered or if it can wait another day.

Cyclamen

Give this a try. Water your plants by putting 2 or 3 ice cubes on the soil of your potted plant away from the stem every day. This will water slowly and without the mess of spilling water. Tell us how much you like this method.

Normally, there is no problem with insects at this time of the year so no need to be concerned about this now.

Send an email to info@meadowview.com with your question or comments.


30 years of Growing
Meadow View Growers
New Carlisle, OH
www.meadowview.com

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