POINSETTIAS 481 



It takes a good grower to produce a pan of Poinsettias with 

 green leaves to the top of the pan, but even with such stock it won't 

 hurt, a couple days or so before Christmas, to set a few good-sized 

 Asparagus plumosus plants along the edge of the pans. For in a 

 hot, dry room the Poinsettia leaves will usually come oflF inside 

 of a couple of days. I- suggest to the smaller retail grower that if 

 he can manage' to purchase his requirements a few days before 

 Christmas and do it at all reasonably, he let the large grower, who 

 makes a specialty of Poinsettias, do the growing for him. With 

 those located long distances out in the country, however, even the 

 shippmg doesn't do the plants any good; and it is best for them 

 to create facilities that will in some way enable them to maintain 

 an even temperature in the house where the plants are. 



The Care of Gut Poinsettias 



To prevent the bracts from wilting is easy. Dip the lower 

 end of the cut stem in hot water for a minute or so and wrap each 

 bract nicely in tissue paper. It won't hurt if you fold the leaves 

 close up to the stem and wrap at least the one nearest to the bract 

 along with it. After that, place the flower deep in water and keep 

 it in a cool place until wanted for deUvery. If you want to prevent 

 disappointment, let your customer know that if the stems of the 

 Poinsettias are to be cut, in case they are too long, they should, 

 after cutting, be dipped in hot water again. 



Delivering Poinsettia Plants 



Those who are anxious to fill orders for Poinsettia plants to be 

 delivered as gifts in good shape on Christmas Day should never let 

 one go out without wrapping it carefully to prevent its becoming 

 chilled on the way. These plants are even more particular in that 

 respect than the most tender Begonia, and you cannot be too 

 careful. 



Propagating Poinsettias 



The cut-down plants, whether from the bench or such as are 

 left over in pots or pans, should be stored away under a bench and 

 kept dust dry up to the middle of April. After this the soil should 

 be removed from the roots and the plants potted up, placed on a 

 sunny bench and the soil in the pots kept moist. They soon will 

 begin to break and the cuttings— removed with a heel — will easily 

 root in sand. Cuttings can be taken up to the middle of August, 

 but of course the early rooted ones are best for cut flowers and 

 will give you, 5- to 6-ft. stems if planted out early. Those rooted 

 the latter part of August may only grow five or six inches in height, 

 yet when five or six are used in a small pan, they make very at- 



