Whether you like flowers a little, a lot or passionately, there is no doubt that they add life and colour to any decor and especially at any time of the year. At first glance, we associate flowers with the summer season, but some varieties need shorter days to bloom and Christmas is the ideal time to show them off.
Of course, the poinsettia, with its beautiful red flowers, steals the show in holiday decorations. Hundreds of them arrive on Christmas store shelves in November and December. More and more, the traditional red is giving way to pink, white, blue and purple. They are covered in glitter to match the style you want to give to your decorations. Often, once the holidays are over, the poinsettias disappear along with the tree, only to resurface at the same time the following year.
Did you know that poinsettias can bloom for several months if you take good care of them? Be sure to give them as much light as possible while avoiding direct sunlight. Poinsettias are also sensitive to drafts, so keep them away from doors and remember to cover them if you have to transport them. Over time, the flowers of your poinsettia will lose their colour and turn the same green as the leaves. Is it possible to make it blush again? Yes, with good care and above all a lot of rigor. You will have to give your plant 14 hours of complete darkness every day for 8 to 10 weeks, by placing it in a closet every night and taking it out in the morning. This is where rigor is required: every day, without exception for two months. This is how you will see your plant cover itself with its beautiful colours again.
Stand out with your Christmas plants
In addition to the poinsettia, many other plants are at their most beautiful for the holiday season. The offer in stores is more and more interesting. Here are a few varieties that are sure to please:
The spectacular amaryllis
The amaryllis is a bulbous plant that can produce huge flowers of different colours. These flowers appear at the end of a stem that can reach 18 to 24 inches about 6 to 8 weeks after the bulb is planted. Each bloom will last two to three weeks and several will follow one another for your pleasure.
Amaryllis is rather easy to grow. Choose your bulb – the bigger it is, the more imposing the flowers will be – and plant it at two thirds in a pot hardly bigger than the bulb. It is essential to leave the upper third in the open air. Water and wait. You will quickly see the first stem appear, then the first flowers. Keep the soil moist and give it a nice light.
The Christmas cactus
With its beautiful flowers at the end of the branches, often pink or red, the Christmas cactus usually blooms from mid-December to mid-January, hence its name. If you give it the right environment, it can bloom until March! If you want your cactus to bloom, it must lack water a little. From mid-October onwards, space out the watering. Wait until the leaves have wilted a bit before giving it water again, two to three weeks. When the first flower buds appear, start watering again more regularly, while waiting for the soil to dry out.
Christmas Kalanchoe
Another fat plant that loves short days, the Kalanchoe will offer you a multitude of small flowers available in different colors. Water regularly when the potting soil is dry and avoid large temperature differences. Place it away from heat sources and draughts.
It is possible to make the Kalanchoe bloom again by giving it the same care as your poinsettia: 14 hours of total darkness every day.
The Jerusalem cherry tree
The Jerusalem cherry tree, also known as the love tree, is a great gift for the holidays, when it is covered with orange-red fruit. Its fruits can last quite a long time. The fruits, especially when they are still green, are somewhat toxic, especially for children and small animals. However, it is necessary to ingest a very large quantity to have adverse effects… better to place it in height, out of their reach to avoid problems. There is no particular care to give to your Jerusalem cherry tree: regular watering, when the soil is dry, and a nice light will be enough.
Come see us at the Christmas store to choose your Christmas plants and to make your holiday season more beautiful.
