It’s the season for poinsettias. Choose from colors of white, pink, red or variegated. The best way to prolong poinsettia blooms is to keep them cool and out of drafts and direct sunlight. Water when the top of the soil is dry and mist the petals to stop them from drying out too quickly. Trying to keep poinsettias to attempt re-blooming requires exacting conditions of light and temperature and requires a professional grower. Do not be in a hurry to toss, as they will grow and survive in an outdoor setting until frost. The beautiful shape of the green leaves makes them great additions to be used as accent plants in a large pot of plantings.
Christmas cacti should never be allowed to set in water. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering. Place them in indirect light. They are worth keeping, for they bloom several times a year. I recall my mother-in-law calling them May Cacti, because they may bloom anytime. They are tropical cacti not dessert cacti. Fixing a gravel bowl is a good idea. This will allow moisture in the air while keeping them from suffering from wet roots.
Happy Hoildays!
