image from West Fork Methodist Church Cool out this morning at 21 degrees at 8:00 AM but looks like clear blue sky is going to be this morning. I read that during Jan we gain 50 minutes of sunlight, so that is exciting. High of 34 degrees and low tonight of 17 degrees. With this mild winter weather, the waste oil stove at Larry’s Garage which is tied into the greenhouse furnace is keeping up with the heat. We haven’t had to start the outdoor wood stove at the greenhouse yet. Of course, we are using the outdoor wood stove at the house, and I have been keeping it going while Larry laid up. It is a science on how to keep that wood burning and not getting too many clunkers in the fire box. Looks like another quiet week, but just heard that next week more active weather is coming. We might get some snow Monday night into Tuesday. See what happens.
We have many poinsettias at our church, here is how to keep them looking good. 7 Tips for Poinsettia Plant Care, through the Holiday Season and Beyond by Doreen G. Howard Keep those poinsettia plants going strong, especially after the holidays! Poinsettias can even be kept year after year to rebloom if you give them proper care. See our tips on top mistakes to avoid. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are the perfect Christmas plants that bloom when the days are shorter! By the way, the showy red parts of Poinsettia plants are not flowers; rather, they are modified leaves known as bracts. A poinsettia plant’s actual “flower” is the yellow bloom at the center of the bracts. The colored leaves, known as bracts, are not the poinsettia plant’s flowers. They are the tiny yellow or orange buds in the center.>Getting Off to a Good Starting the future, when choosing poinsettias, select plants with little or no yellow pollen, as they will bloom longer. Also, do not buy these tropical plants from an outdoor stall, nor leave them in your cold car while running other errands! When you get home, always remove the plant from its plastic sleeve. Make sure there is a watering hole in the bottom of the container (or drill a hole) and place it on a saucer that captures extra water. At home, follow these plant care tips: Poinsettias are particular about light. They require bright light during the day for the brightest color (at least 6 hours a day), but they don’t like direct light that could fade or burn the leaves. In the winter, place yours near a well-lit window. East-facing windows are best. Avoid spots near heating vents and doors, as well as hot appliances. Cold drafts will cause leaves to drop. No part of the plant should touch the cold glass. Excess heat can dry out the plants too much. Poinsettias favor semi-cool conditions. Keep temperatures between 65° and 70°F, ideally. Basically, maintain temperatures that are comfortable for people. Be sure to lower the thermostat at night so that plants cool off. Do NOT overwater. Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater, which is the most common cause of death. Only water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. If underwatered, plants wilt and shed leaves. Don’t let the plant sit in water or water-filled sauces, which causes root rot. Be careful to remove any foil which may gather water. Treat the saucers like water catchers, and 30 minutes or so after a good watering, detach it in the sink and let it all drain out. Fertilizer is never recommended while the plant is in bloom. Fertilize only if you decide to keep them after their holiday bloom. Poinsettias like humidity. Add plants nearby to aid humidity. Use a humidifier or place plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase relative humidity. Taken from https://www.almanac.com/caring-for-poinsettias Till next week, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, [email protected] 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
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AuthorHi! My name is Becky and I am a Master Gardener. I own Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty, Iowa. Archives
October 2024
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