Friday, November 18, 2011

Poinsettia is from Mexico?

I was reading other things about how some americans don't like mexican people, but what about for Xmas Usa is full everywhere with poinsettias. They are from Mexico

Poinsettia is from Mexico?
The average American doesn't know that the poinsettia is from Mexico, where it is called la flor de nochebuena, or the Christmas Eve flower. It's named after Joel Poinsett, who was an ambassador or something along those lines from the USA to Mexico, and he found it there. Technically, it's really not a flower but a pretty plant. I don't think most people connect pointsettia + Christmas = Mexicans.
Reply:People != Flowers.


Geez.
Reply:I am missing your point. Yes, Dr. Poinsett discovered the first "Christmas Stars" in Mexico. Potatoes originated in Peru. The common "amaryllis" (Hypeastrum) was found in Chile. Do we really care about the politics, culture, ethnicity, religion, etc. of the country from which we in the United States now enjoy plant varieties?
Reply:A more accurate statement would be we don't like people sneaking into our country illegally. It has nothing to do with the people themselves. Most people know poinsettias are from Mexico.
Reply:SO is this a question or a statement?


I don't like Poinsettia's. Does that mean I hate Mexicans.


OK I like Avocados, but hate Chili's. I like Tequila, but hate Corn tortillas. So does this make me confused.


Wait, I like Del Taco. Does this mean I like Mexicans, but only if they Americanize.


What can I do with my Poinsettia?

I got this for my birthday (in December). It came from the best florist in town, and it is still beautiful! I've kept it at work, because I have a cat that eats anything green and there's no where I can put it where he can't get at it. He can even get on top of the cabinets above the fridge! Poinsettias are toxic to cats, so bringing it home just isn't an option.


It's getting really big and should be repotted soon. I don't know what to do with it! It's too pretty and healthy to just throw out. I know my b/f spent a fortune on it, not knowing the predicament it was going to put me in.


Any good suggestions? Serious answers only, please.

What can I do with my Poinsettia?
Poinsettias are not toxic enough, nor are they poisonous enough for cats to either become sick nor to die from. This has been an ongoing myth. At the most, your cat may have a mouth irritation, or a stomach upset, at the very most, vomiting. What cat does not throw up on occasion?





I am totally against using toxic substances in the house, I am an absolute animal lover, I have three cats presently, so I am giving you this information in good faith. I have had poinsettias over the years and many cats who were plant nibblers, and I never had a problem.





Bring the poinsettia home and your cat will be fine.


http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas...


http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants-no...


http://www.ehow.com/how_2073940_keep-cat...





I hope this ease your mind a bit. In the end it is up to you, but with any YA advice you need to do your own research as well.
Reply:Donate it to a co-worker or nursing home
Reply:eat it
Reply:I heard you can cut it back and place in a dark paper bag and it will come back next year. Never tried it. maybe get a plant stand to keep the cats away in the meantime.
Reply:When the weather will allow, find a nice semi shaded place outside for your poinsettia. The plant will grow and flourish all summer. When winter comes, bring it back inside and it may turn red by Christmas. I have done this many years and sometimes they are beautiful at Christmas and sometimes they are off a couple of weeks. Maybe you live somewhere that you can leave it out year round? Wish I did. Sometimes seems like a pain hauling my plants back and forth

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Poinsettia longevity and tips?

Costco has some beautiful Poinsettias right now for the holiday season. My mother loves flowers and the such. Her birthday is January 3rd, and I was thinking of getting her one for her birthday, however I'm not exactly familiar with how often they should be watered or their longevity? I'm worried if I wait to buy it after Christmas, they will all be gone.





My question is, if I bought it next weekend, would it last another week and a half with proper care? And what tips would you give me regarding caring for it? Obviously as I am up in Canada and we're expecting a blizzard tonight, it'll be kept indoors.

Poinsettia longevity and tips?
Choose a plant that looks healthy and does not have wilted looking blooms. Ask the clerk at the store for a bag, preferably paper, to put the plant in so that it won't suffer from the cold when you move it from the warmer indoor temps to the cold outside as you transport it home. Water it lightly when you get home and it should be just fine until her birthday.





The blooms ( actually the plant's leaves which have changed color ) should last another couple of weeks depending on the plant and when it came into "bloom". I've had blooms last up to a month beyond the holidays.





I have kept Poinsettias for many seasons. Just keep them watered as you would any houseplant.
Reply:Poinsettias are perennials that with proper care will last for years. This is therir peak time right now so it you don't overwater it and it has the right amount of sun and no drafts it will do fine.


My one suggestion, when you buy one take a bag for it and put it in the bag in the store. Even the small time its outdoors in the wind and cold will be a shock to it. I live in a cooler zone 5 so know the effect of cold air on the plants..











I just did an article on poinsettia care that you may want to read. It covers taking care of it through the entire year. Good luck! Denise http://thegardenersrake.com





http://thegardenersrake.com/indoor-plant...
Reply:my grandpa had 3 or 4 in his greehouse that were 20yrs old, 7 feet tall at least with stems (trunks) 3 inchs around.i think it will last a week more


Poinsettia trimming in the Spring...?

I've got two gorgeous poinsettias - about 12 inches tall and 6 or 7 3/8" branches each. They are still bright red and have flowers (little balls) that look lively. Each branch may only have one or two green leaves, if that. They are also starting to grow new leaves by the flowers (about 1/2 inch long now.) It's late March... I read stuff that says to cut them back to anywhere from 2 inches to 8 inches tall. There aren't any leaves on the first 4 or 5 inches of the stems/branches. I also recently re potted them into 8 inch pots.


How far do I want to cut them back, or do I even need to? Do I need to cut all of the red leaves (bracts) off? I'd like to have them out to show in my house until October when they have to go in the dark to turn red. I'd also like it if they grew a few inches taller, heck, wouldn't mind 3 feet either, but also got denser. What are the keys to trimming them back and keeping them looking sharp - I'm a bit horticulturally illiterate, but am enjoying growing them.

Poinsettia trimming in the Spring...?
Cut them back to about 6 to 8 inches. It does not matter that they don't have leaves. If you take care of it, it will come back out great. Keep them from drying out, but do not over water. I'd make sure all of the red leaves were cut off. It will get denser, but don't expect 3 feet tall. Cut them with a very sharp knife and keep in a good window or in a greenhouse. I'd even keep them outside during the summer.
Reply:I don't know much about cutting them back but I wanted to tell you I broken one of my limbs off and just off hand stuck it in some water and it has rooted and had put on leaves.





I was quite surprised!





nfd♥
Reply:My doctors office has one and they have not cut it back, it is huge and beautiful.


Make sure you have them in the dark in order for the leaves to turn red.

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Just for me, can you all be sure to pronounce Poinsettia as poin-set-ee-ah this Christmas season?

The people who mispronounce it as poin-set-ah really make me cringe. I want to yell "there's an "i" at the end of the word, folks!" But then I remember it's the Christmas season and we shouldn't yell at people.





So for me, will you please pronounce the word Poinsettia as poin-set-ee-ah? Thank you so much.

Just for me, can you all be sure to pronounce Poinsettia as poin-set-ee-ah this Christmas season?
Sure, no problem.
Reply:I already do, so I can easily do this for ya! Merry Christmas
Reply:I would, but I'll probably forget. People mispronounce words all the time.......in this world, you better get used to it. happy early holidays.
Reply:OK I'll say it right just for you!
Reply:hmmmm! and for me , will you learn to be more tolerant of people and less picky . You do know what they are speaking of when they say Poinsettia. It's not like you can't understand..
Reply:i believe either pronunciation is correct
Reply:Can you do me a favor and stop wasting your time and mine on such trivial matters.Thank you so much.
Reply:Only if you promise to say "Iced tea" and not "Ice tea". :-)
Reply:let it go fruitcake.


What verse in the bible does it talk about the poinsettia?

i need to know the verse section on where it talks about the poinsettia in the bible

What verse in the bible does it talk about the poinsettia?
It isn't in the Bible as it is a tropical American plant





Here is a link to the "Legend of the Poinsettia" which you may be referring to:





http://www.appleseeds.org/poinsettia-leg...





Hope that helps!
Reply:It's not in the bible, it's a Mexican legend: http://www.ecke.com/html/h_corp/corp_leg...





It's "bible connection" is allegedly Luke 2 %26amp; Matthew 2
Reply:The poinsettias "bloom" around Christmastime.


That's why they're often used as Christmas decorations.


They originate in Mexico, and trans-ocean travel from/to there %26amp; the Middle East (where the Bible originated) was not available at the time of the first Christmas.
Reply:Poinsettia's are from Mexico. It shoudln't be in the bible at all...


What is the best way to care for a poinsettia?

We received a beautiful potted poinsettia in our office yesterday and I don't want it to die.

What is the best way to care for a poinsettia?
First only water when it needs it, don't let the soil become soaked. You can feel the dirt, and if it's damp, leave it for a while, if the soil is dry, add a bit of water to it. Place it where it can have some sunlight through a window, but the regular lights work too.





If the plant begins to wilt, check the moisture in the soil. Too wet: let it dry, and it should be fine. Too Dry: add water and watch it perk right up!





Good Luck!
Reply:this may help
Reply:Examine the soil daily, and when the surface is dry to the touch, water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. The amount of water recommended in the table for use in various sized containers ensures that enough water will be applied so that some will run out the drainage hole. If a saucer is used, discard the water that collects in it. Do not leave the plant standing in water. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury.





A wilted plant may drop its leaves prematurely, so check the soil frequently. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. If wilting does occur, immediately water with the recommended amount, and 5 minutes later water again.





Light


If you obtain a poinsettia for your home, place it near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. A window that faces south, east or west is better than one facing north. Do not let any part of the plant touch the cold windowpane because this may injure it.





Temperature


To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees F, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this. Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may cause premature leaf drop.





Reflowering


Poinsettias can be reflowered the following Christmas, but unless a yearlong schedule of care is observed, the results usually are not good. For such a schedule, continue normal watering of the soil until the first of April, then allow it to dry gradually. Do not let it get so dry at any time that the stems shrivel. Following the drying period, store the plant in a cool (60 degrees F), airy location on its side or upright.





In the middle of May, cut the stems back to about 4 inches above the soil, and either replant in a pot 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter or shake old soil off the roots and repot in the same container, using a new soilless mix. Many good commercial potting mixes are available. Choose one that is not very finely textured. Using soil from the garden can introduce disease to the plant. Water the soil thoroughly after potting; wait five minutes and water again. Then put the plant near the window that is exposed to the most sunlight. Keep the plant at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F, and water when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. After new growth appears, fertilize every two weeks with a complete-analysis, water soluble fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label for flowering plants.





In early June, leave the plant in the pot, move it outdoors, and place it in a lightly shaded location. Continue watering and fertilizing the plant while it is outdoors. Pinch each stem (remove 1 inch of terminal growth) in early July. Then, between August 15 and September 1, cut or pinch the new stems back, allowing three or four leaves to remain on each shoot. After this second pinch, bring the plant indoors and again place it near a window with a sunny exposure. If the plant is not pinched, it will grow too tall and be unsightly. Keep the plant at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F at night and continue watering and fertilizing.





Poinsettias are short-day plants, which means they flower about 10 weeks after the daylight shortens to about 12 hours or less. Therefore, to have the plant in full flower by Christmas, keep it in complete darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. from the first part of October until Thanksgiving. During this period, any kind of light exposure between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. will delay flowering. A closet, opaque box or opaque cloth will keep the plant in darkness during those hours. Remember to put the plant near a sunny window in the daytime. Continue fertilizing the plant until mid-December