Question: How do I care for Holiday plants?

Answer: Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Pepper, Jerusalem Cherry, and Kalanchoe are just a few of the plants available at the Holiday Season. If you have received one of these plants as a Holiday gift, the following are some pointers to keep your plant healthy through the winter season.

Poinsettia is perhaps the most common plant gift of the Holiday season. If cared for properly, the poinsettia will give weeks of color and pleasure to its owner. However, it can be challenging to grow in the home under normal house conditions, since many homes are kept too hot, causing the air to dry out and the plant leaves to drop.

Proper watering is most important. The first thing you need to do is remove the foil and set the plant on a plastic tray or ceramic dish to protect your furniture or sill. Keep the soil damp but not sopping wet. For best results, never allow the foliage to wilt between applications of water. Whenever you do water, take the plant to the kitchen sink and water thoroughly until the water drips out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Avoid placing poinsettias in areas where air movement from windows, doors, fans, or radiators exist. This will cause rapid water loss from the foliage resulting in the inability of the roots to absorb a sufficient amount of water to offset wilting, thus causing premature flower, bract, and leaf drop.

Reblooming – Poinsettias are among the most difficult plants to rebloom in the home. After plants begin to drop their leaves, withhold water to encourage dormancy, and store in a cool location (50-60 degrees F). Following the last frost in the spring, move the plants outdoors to full sunlight. Prune 2-3” from the end of each stem. The plants will develop a large amount of new growth during summer. It is probably best to start cuttings from the original plant, which would then develop into sizes you are normally inclined to purchase during the Holidays. Locate the plants in full sunlight and provide a temperature range of 60-70 degrees F at night. Keep the soil moist, and apply a fertilizer solution (one tablespoon of 20-20-20 per gallon of water) each week. Poinsettias form flower buds when the days are shorter than 12 hours. Beginning October 1 protect the plants from light by placing them in a dark closet between 5 PM – 8 AM daily. After 40 days the plants can be kept in normally lighted rooms. With water, fertilizer, and 60-70 degree F night temperatures, the plants will flower during December.

Christmas Cactus is one of the few Holiday plants suited to growing all year long (no dormant period required). If the plant receives proper care, it is very long-lived.
Watering – this cactus requires more water than other cacti. Keep the soil evenly moist all of the time, but do not overwater, as waterlogged roots can cause the flower buds to drop. Underwatering or excessive dryness can bring on the same condition. In late summer or early fall, when the buds are forming, water only enough to keep the stems from wrinkling or shriveling. After the buds are formed, resume normal watering. Fertilize the plant every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertilizer that is high in potassium. When the flower buds are forming, do not fertilize.
Lighting – this plant likes a bright location and some sun; however, strong summer sun may cause the plant to turn yellow. They are sensitive to light, so if you move the plant, be careful not to change its position relative to the source of light. This can weaken the small, newly-formed buds, and they may fall off.

Reblooming – The flowering of a Christmas cactus is related to the length of the day and the night temperature. If the plant is kept outside during the summer, the cool temperatures of early fall nights (50-55 degrees F) are usually enough for the plant to set buds. This will probably take place before you bring the plant indoors (before the night temperature goes below 50 degrees F or before the first frost). The buds will form regardless of the amount of darkness they receive. If the plant is grown indoors all year round, then it will need artificial short days or about 13 hours of darkness to initiate bud development. You can do this by placing the plant in an unused room or closet from 6 PM – 7 AM or draping it with a dark cloth for this period. After the buds form it can be treated normally, and you can watch the buds develop.

Christmas Pepper and Jerusalem Cherry both have brightly colored fruits. Keep these plants in full sunlight and keep the soil moist. Cool temperatures will help prolong the life of the fruits. After the fruits drop, discard the plants. New growth is ungainly, and they will not flower again. The Christmas Pepper is edible, but very hot; the berries will irritate the mucous membranes (especially of children). The Jerusalem Cherry leaves and unripe fruit are toxic when eaten.
Cyclamen – this plant is distinguished for its compact foliage and abundant bloom. This plant is difficult to maintain in most homes. Cyclamen requires a night temperature of 50 degrees F, and day temperatures of 60-65 Degrees F in full sunlight. The leaves turn yellow quickly and flower buds die if the temperature is too high or light intensity too low. Inadequate moisture also produces adverse effects.

Kalanchoe is available during the Holiday season. These plants are small, compact, and bear red, orange, and yellow flowers in clusters above the foliage. They are usually available throughout the winter. For extended bloom, they require cool temperatures, full sunlight, and constantly moist soil. After flowering, the plants can be retained for their foliage if they receive direct sunlight. For Holiday bloom, put the plants in complete darkness from 6 PM – 7 AM for 30 days, beginning September 1. The plant should then develop buds under normal conditions.

For more detailed information on caring for Holiday plants, please contact the Warrensburg Cornell
Cooperative Extension Office at 623-3291, and request a copy of “Care of Holiday Plants”
References:
Care of Holiday Plants; CCE Suffolk County
Christmas Cactus; CCE Cornell.edu
Watering Christmas Poinsettias; CCE Gardening Resources
Holiday Plants to Give and Use with Joy – and Some Caution!; CCE, Schenectady County