| | Poinsettia | Azalea | Chrysanthemum | Easter lily | Cineraria and Calceolaria | Cyclamen | Hydrangea
A gift plant is a flowering plant grown under carefully-controlled greenhouse conditions and sold in full bloom by a florist. They require special attention if they are to be kept in the home; often they are discarded after blooming. Their individual requirements vary considerably, and timing is of particular importance if they are to be forced into bloom for special occasions.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia with its showy red bracts has traditionally been known as the Christmas plant. Under ideal conditions, the bracts will remain colorful longer than three months. When plants are in bloom, they should be kept in a sunny, draft-free location. Like most flowering plants, the bloom will be held much longer if the temperature is fairly cool, (15 to 18° C). Do not keep the soil wet, it should be allowed to dry between waterings.
Once the bracts fall, allow the plant to dry off and go dormant. Store it in a cool, dry place and withhold water until May.
In May, cut it back to six inches high and repot in fresh soil. Increase the heat and light, and begin regular watering. Plants should only be fertilized during spring and summer. Until August, pinch off growing tips of new shoots to increase shoot and eventually flower development. August is the time to propagate poinsettias. Take four to six inch (10 to 15 cm) cuttings of new growth, insert them in rooting medium and place in a warm, humid, lightly-shaded spot until they have taken root.
Pots can be placed outside in a protected area for the summer, and brought indoors again when night temperatures begin to fall below 15° C.
Flowers only develop on plants subjected to a shortday period of at least a month and a half, when they will need 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness each day. To ensure Christmas blooming, keep plants under short days from late September to at least mid-November.
Azalea
Azaleas remain in bloom from midwinter to early spring (making them ideal Christmas to Mother's Day gifts), but they are difficult to keep from one year to the next without a greenhouse.
Azaleas need an organic acid soil (one part peat; one part acid soil). When in bloom, keep them in diffused sunlight at cool temperatures, 15 to 18° C.
In May, or when danger of frost is past, plunge pots in the garden, in a lightly shaded area. Mulch with peat and pinch off rapidly-growing shoots in late June. During spring and summer months, azaleas should be kept moist and fed with a fertilizer leaving an acid residue. This is essential to induce new growth and bud formation.
Bring the plants into the house before the first frost and place them in a cool room, 10° C; without this cool period they bloom irregularly. They need plenty of light from mid-August on. In November gradually increase the temperature to 15 to 18° C. to bring them to bloom. Flowering should begin in 6 to 10 weeks.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums do not make good house plants because of their high light requirements. They seldom bloom well a second season, and only the hardy varieties can be transplanted outdoors. Potted mums are usually discarded after flowering, but you may wish to try forcing them again.
Place potted plants in full sunlight but in a cool-temperature area. Keep them moist. After flowering, cut back and repot; pinch back new shoots to develop bushy growth. Plunge them into the garden during the summer months but bring them indoors before the first frost. They will not flower unless they receive short-day conditions (at least 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness each day until the buds are well-formed).
Easter Lily
Easter lilies last several weeks in the home. Place them in moderate light and cool temperatures (18 to 21° C) and water thoroughly every day. Remove the yellow anthers from the flower centers. This will help prolong blossom life and prevent staining the flowers, your hands, clothing and tablecloths from the pollen.
Easter lilies are usually discarded after flowering; they cannot be forced again indoors. They can be planted outside and may bloom again the same fall.
Cineraria and Calceolaria
These plants are available from January to May, but should be discarded after the flowers fade. Place them in a very cool (10 to 15° C), sunny window and water frequently.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen are difficult to keep after they flower. To keep their bloom for any length to time, they must have cool temperatures, especially at night, 10 to 15° C. Water frequently until the flowers fade, then reduce watering and store plants in a cool dry environment to allow them to rest.
In late July, repot tubers, leaving half the tuber above the surface off the soil; place them in the garden or a cold frame. Keep the soil moist and protect from hot sun. In September, place the plants in a cool window or greenhouse until they flower.
Hydrangea
The hydrangea is difficult to keep from year to year in the home. In bloom, they require abundant water and moderate light. After blooming, cut them back to a third of their original height and repot in fresh potting mix. Place plants outdoors in a shady area for the summer, and water frequently; fertilize regularly throughout the summer. If blue flowers are desired, water every two weeks with aluminum sulfate; for pink flowers use a high phosphate fertilizer (15-30-15) every two weeks, or add 30 ml of ground limestone per litre of potting soil.
In early August, move plants into full sun to promote bud set. Continue fertilizing until they flower. After this second flowering in fall, bring the plant indoors and store in a cool, dark place, below 10° C and withhold water. This forces the plant into dormancy.
In January, gradually increase heat, light and water, until the plant is able to withstand full sunlight, and temperatures of 15 to 18° C. Blooms should appear in late March.
Adapted from Agdex 285/20-10. |
|