The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
My mother always said that the Christmas decorating wasn’t complete until the poinsettias were bought and placed throughout the house, and I think of this on the last weekend of each November when I go to purchase my poinsettias. I think of them as the “jewelry” to my holiday decor, like the perfect pair of earrings that make an outfit “pop.” When Ioading my poinsettias into the car in late November I say a little prayer that these plants will make it until December 25th, because I am now entering a battlefield of sorts-a fight to keep these plants alive until Christmas morning.
I’ve read all the care tips for keeping your poinsettia looking its best: place them in an area that will receive bright sunlight; avoid drafty areas; a room temperature of 65 to 70 degrees is best; water when the soil feels dry; allow water to drain completely; don’t leave them in sitting water. Fairly straight forward, right? For some reason, however, by the week before Christmas I find myself picking up yellowed leaves from the floor, as if a naughty Elf on the Shelf has visited overnight. Have I watered too much or not enough? The soil felt damp yesterday, why is it dry as a bone today? It stresses me out and I find myself counting the days to Christmas, secretly longing to toss these poinsettias out in the clean sweep I give the house after the holiday. Which gets me to thinking-is Christmas supposed to make me feel this way? No! Do I, in the middle of June when one of my annuals shows signs of failing, have the urge to rip out all my annuals, wishing it were autumn already? Of course not! All of this leads to me to a thought: the Christmas season should be viewed as a gift, and the poinsettia is a gift from Mother Nature. It may not last as long as I’d like, but I need to learn to appreciate it while it is here. That’s a lesson we all can benefit from. (And I probably need to pay a bit more attention to my watering schedule!)
The Caroline County Garden Club wishes everyone a happy holiday season, no matter what your poinsettias look like! If you’d like to learn more about our club, please contact us at ccgardenclubinfo@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook at “Caroline County Garden Club-Maryland.”
