Need to know information about Poinsettias! The holiday season is upon us… Do you know all there is to know about Poinsettias? Here is some general information, store handling, and care tips for consumers. - Are they poisonous? Poinsettias are NOT poisonous and there is plenty of research to prove it. Of course, the plant is NOT for consumption. - What are their light needs? Get plants out of boxes ASAP. Plants suffer if held too long in boxes. Leaves will yellow. It is best to display poinsettias in bright, indirect light (not direct sunlight) and away from heater drafts. - Are they cold sensitive? YES, wrap the plants well and remind customers that chill damage happens at temps colder than 3°C for more than 30 minutes. Poinsettias are happiest between 15°C - 23°C. - Are they ethylene sensitive? Plants are moderately sensitive. Internal ethylene production is triggered when bracts are bent upward as when plants are lifted up and out of sleeves. The upward motion of bracts triggers an ethylene response. - Prevention: Ask growers to ship with Chrysal Ethylene Buster (See: goo.gl/iqF8DG) sachets in boxes. - Avoid ethylene exposure from: 1 exhaust from combustion engines, space heaters 2 smoke from cigarettes, BBQs, fireplaces, air pollution 3 Douglas Fir and Redwood cut foliage 4 storing in closed area with boxes of deco moss - What is epinasty? A horticultural term describing plants that appear wilted, but are not revived when watered. To prevent epinasty, un-sleeve plants by tearing open the sleeve from the bottom rather than pushing the pot up from the bottom. - What is leaf drop? Irregular irrigation, low-light intensity, warm temperature, and low relative humidity make leaf drop a common disorder. - How do I water? Never let the plant sit in water—roots drown. Water every 7-8 days depending on temperature of the house. Allow water flow through soil to flush salts completely out of soil profile and ample time for pot to drip dry (2-3 hours) before placing in display location. - Broken bracts as cut flowers? Yes as long as stems are fully hydrated. Hydrate broken bracts in Chrysal Professional 1 (see: goo.gl/ykHRDi) for 2-4 hours at ambient. Make sure solution level is deep enough to act as a liquid band-aide to seal and clean latex flow from wounded areas on stems. When bracts are hydrated, design w/o giving a fresh cut. Display designs outside of cooler.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:07:03 +0000