Robyn Stewart
With Thanksgiving festivities behind us, many Lincoln County residents are looking forward to the end of the year holidays. No matter what you celebrate, there is a chance that you will soon purchase or be given a new plant. From poinsettia and amaryllis to Christmas cactus, it is important to take proper care of your acquisition to ensure its longevity of bloom and health throughout the holiday season and into the new decade.
Poinsettias can last several months after the holidays and may even flower again the next year if cared for properly. When you first get your poinsettia, place it somewhere that it gets bright, indirect sunlight, and moderate temperatures of 65-70 degrees. Keep the soil moist but be careful not to overwater, and do not let the poinsettia sit in water. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot and other diseases. After the last frost of the spring, you can move your poinsettia outside to high indirect light (morning sun with afternoon shade) and continue to water and fertilize it often. When temperatures start to drop in the fall (below 60 degrees at night) the plant should be brought back indoors. Starting October 1st keep the plant in continuous darkness for 14 hours a day, until color is well developed in mid-November. It is generally easiest to place the plant in a closet or under a cardboard box to achieve this. Any light during the dark period will delay or inhibit flowering.
Amaryllis is another holiday plant that can continue to thrive for some time after you receive it. If you’re lucky, your amaryllis will continue to open blooms for several weeks. After the last bloom fades, cut off the stalk, which will gush water when you do so. Place the plant in a bright window and water regularly, ensuring good drainage of the soil. Once the risk of frost passes in the spring, you can plant your bulb in the garden and it will bloom the next spring. You may also place the plant in a sunny spot outside, watering and fertilizing regularly. In fall, stop watering the plant to encourage dormancy, then move the bulb indoors to a cool, dry location for a few weeks. Then, water it once, wait for new growth at the top of the bulb, and move the plant into bright light upstairs.
A Christmas cactus can be quite prolific, blooming beautifully for several years after you receive it. The Christmas cactus requires placement where it gets bright, indirect sunlight, and moderate temperatures of 65-70 degrees. Good drainage is key for healthy root systems, and the plant should be watered often to keep the soil moist. Take care not to let the plant sit in standing water. Christmas cactus prefer bright natural light and can grow indoors year-round when this requirement is met. Otherwise, after the last spring front, move the plant outdoors to a shady area, such as a porch. The direct summer sun will burn and kill Christmas cactus, so take care with where you place your plant outdoors. These plants should be watered once a week and fertilized once a month in spring and summer. As we enter fall, the plants will form flower buds and when the temperatures drop into the 30’s, the plants should be brought inside.
Proper care of your holiday plants can ensure the longevity of existing flowers and promote plant health for future blooms as well. If you have any questions on a specific type of plant and how to care and manage them, please reach out to the Lincoln County Extension Office at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
