Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Although Christmas is still a couple of months away, it is time to begin preparing some of them to flower during the holiday season. This typically involves changing their environment in some way to force them into bloom.
Poinsettias initiate flowers through a process called photoperiodism, which is the plant response to light levels. The colorful part we see are actually modified leaves called bracts. The real flowers are the red or green button-like parts in the center of the colorful bracts.
To initiate flowers and cause bracts to change color, poinsettias must have total darkness for 12 to 15 hours each day for eight to 10 weeks. To do this, place plants in a dark closet or cover with cardboard boxes. During the day, the plant will need bright light to produce enough energy to flower. Be sure not open the closet door or peek under the box because even the slightest disruption in its long night cycle will cause the plant not to bloom properly.
Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 60-70 degrees. They do not tolerate warm or cold drafts, therefore keep them away from radiators, air registers, and fans as well as open windows and doors. To extend the blooming time, place your poinsettia in a cooler location at night (55 – 60 degrees).
The other favorite flowering holiday plant is holiday cactus. These plants are thermos-photoperiodic, which means that they need a change in both temperature and light to bloom. The secret to getting your holiday cactus to bloom is one of air temperature. All of these cacti require a cool night temperature of about 60 degrees to bloom. Long nights are important too to get them to bloom. My mom used to put hers in their cool, dark basement to induce flowering.
Take a holiday cactus to a sunny window as soon as buds start to show. If buds start to drop, it may be an indication of one of three things: the plant may need repotting, the temperature may be too high, or the light intensity too low. These plants seldom flower well at temperatures above 70 degrees.
Holiday cactus come in several types, including Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Each is appropriately named by the holiday it blooms near. The differences between these plants are found on the leaf edges. Christmas cacti have scalloped edges while Thanksgiving and Easter cacti have pointed edges. The Thanksgiving cactus is most common, probably because it is easier to get to bloom. They each are available in a variety of flower colors including white, pink, red, and orange.
Flowering plants always seem to make the holiday season more festive and meaningful. With proper care, yours should last for years to come.
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.