Feliz Navidad!
I was curious about why the Poinsettia
has become so customary to have at
Christmas time (at least in the U.S. it is).
I don't know what other countries
do for their holiday decorating but the
Poinsettia is definitely a favorite around
Christmas here in the U.S.
This year I picked out three small
plants and put them in the basket so
it would look like one larger one!
This one is called Jingle Bells-
a particular favorite of mine!
As I said before I was curious about the
reason for the poinsettia becoming a
tradition and so I looked it up and
this is what I found:
"The holiday's connection to the poinsettia originated with a Mexican legend. With nothing to give to the Christ Child, a youngster picked a bouquet of weeds as an offering. As the gift was presented, the weeds transformed into brilliant red blooms. Since then, the plant is known in Mexico as Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night), or just nochebuena for short. The poinsettia's red "flowers" aren't actual flowers. They're bracts (modified leaves), and the little yellow centers are the flowers."
They don't like to get too cold and
they are definitely not hardy to the
freezing temperatures.
I'm pleased to show you that my
Amaryllis really grew and it looks
like I am going to have a bloom
for Christmas!
The other identical one has leaves but
no flower coming yet. I guess that
will be a couple more weeks away!
My Christmas Cactus has just finished
blooming but there are a new set
of buds coming on it so I'm pleased
to see that!
I'll have to read up on this again.
It seems to me that sometime next
fall I have to put it in a cool, dark room
for a while so it will promote it
to bloom again? Something like that.
Well everybody I hope you're not
getting stir crazy already! It's hard
to go from being outdoors in the garden
and doing yard work to being indoors so
much of the time.
I'll bet you are all plotting your
next dig in the spring!!
Take care and have a
Very Merry Christmas!
Peace, Love, and Joy to All!
Your Poinsettias look good together like that. I am getting ready to have some renovation done here so haven't had a chance to go stir crazy yet, although that's starting to sound pretty good. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas!
Cher Sunray Gardens
They look great Liz... Wish you a very happy Christmas
ReplyDeleteHappy if you come to see me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
with love from
Farah
Liz, your plants look great! My poinsettias are in urns and doing quite well. However, I have had my Christmas cactus for 2-3 years now; and it has yet to bloom. I, too, read that it should be placed in a cool, dark room around October and brought back out in December to promote blooming. But, another blogger says that she has hers in a West facing window and just leaves it alone...and it blooms every year. So, I'm not sure what to do with it! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a colourful Christmas you will have. Mrs Tootlepedal will have to make do with my sunny smile.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas.
I hope the amaryllis make it before Christmas so you have a bloom or two!!! I thought that if you leave a Christmas cactus alone and leave it undisturbed that it would bloom year after year but they don't like being moved around. At least that's what I've heard. I have heard that the poinsettia is what likes a dark place to cause it to bloom but I wouldn't think putting anything in the dark would make it bloom would you???? Kinda goes against everything I've ever thought, but what do I know!! It is very nice having something to tend to and watch bloom when its cold outside though. I hope you have tons of blooms!! Merry Christmas dear Liz!!
ReplyDeleteOh and every time I look at your header picture it makes me sigh. I just love your fountain with the hosta all the way around. Gardening really is good for the soul and I miss it so much in the winter.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz,
ReplyDeleteYour poinsettias are beautiful! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!