Poinsettias - Facts, Growing and Caring Tips of Poinsettia Plant Species pulcherrima The bright petals of Poinsettias, which look like flowers, are actually the bunch of upper leaves of the plant, called bracts. Poinsettia flowers are small, green or yellow, and grow inconspicuously in the center of each leaf bunch. Poinsettias are sub-tropical plants and therefore wither if the night temperature falls below 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). The day time temperatures in excess of 21 degrees C (70 degrees F) shorten the lifespan of Poinsettias. In colder climates, Poinsettias are grown as indoor plants. As indoor plants, Poinsettias need exposure to the morning sun and shade during the hotter part of the day. Poinsettias are one the most difficult to reflower after the initial display when purchased. Poinsettias need a period of uninterrupted long, light-free nights for about two months in early spring in order to develop flowers. Facts About Poinsettias Poinsettias are the most popular of the holiday plants. Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America.

Poinsettias also bloom in cream, lemon, peach, pink colors and with white and gold-splashed leaves. Poinsettia's botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means "the most beautiful Euphorbia". Poinsettia was named after the former US ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel R. Poinsett who introduced the Poinsettia to the United States. Recent research has proved that Poinsettias are not poisonous. Poinsettias, at times, reach a height of sixteen feet. Poinsettias are also known by other names such as 'Christmas flower', 'lobster flower', and 'Mexican flame leaf'. As a result of its importance in the celebration of Christmas and its beautification of America, December 12th is celebrated as National Poinsettia Day, to honor the passing away of Joel R. Poinsett. Poinsettias & Christmas The ancient Aztecs (the Mexican Indians) prized the Poinsettia as a symbol of purity. Centuries later, Mexico's early Christians adopted the Poinsettia as their prized Christmas Eve flower.

The Mexican Poinsettia, known as the Christmas flower in North America, is used in most Christmas decorations, owing to its bright red color and its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas holiday season. The Mexican poinsettias are commonly bright red. For some, these star-shaped bracts symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. The Christmas Poinsettia flowers have become a symbol of Christmas and are used as festive decor. A Mexican legend explains how Poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. Apparently, a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When brought into the church, the weeds bloomed into red and green flowers and the congregation felt that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle. As the poinsettia is one of the most popular potted plants, you may want to purchase one as a gift. They now come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Shop poinsettia plants.

from our stores - Pickupflowers - the flower expert Growing Poinsettias It is probably best to start cuttings from the original Poinsettia plant, which would then develop into sizes you are normally inclined to purchase at Christmas. In July or August remove three- or four-inch cuttings from the new Poinsettia growth on the plant. Insert each Poinsettia cutting in a small pot containing a sterilized mixture of half sand and half peat moss. Keep the Poinsettia cuttings shaded and watered during the rooting period for about three weeks. Then set the Poinsettia plants in larger pots in a sterilized mixture of equal parts of soil or sand, peat moss, and perlite. The soil in which poinsettias grow should be kept moist at all times, but not excessively wet. Avoid placing poinsettias in areas which receive air movement from windows, doors, fans, or radiators exists. If placed in such locations, they cause premature flower, bract, and leaf drop. Poinsettia Plant Care Keep your Poinsettia plant near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight.

Sunlight should be available for the Poinsettia for at least five hours a day. A window that faces south, east or west is the best location to place your Poinsettia. Do take precaution that no such part of the plant touches the cold windowpane which may injure it. Let not the soil in the Poinsettia pot dry out. If you feel dryness of the soil on touching it, do water it until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. The pot should be able drain the excess water as waterlogging in the pot is not good for Poinsettia. Waterlogged soil lacks sufficient air, which may result damage of roots. Poinsettias exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. Maintain the temperature of the location at 65 to 70 degrees F during the daylight hours for Poinsettias to maintain its blooming in a good stead. It is a good practice to move Poinsettias to a cooler place at night but it is not a demanding criterion. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees F, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this.

Poinsettias form flower buds when the days are shorter than 12 hours. Get your Poinsettias to bloom by dark treatment of Poinsettias! Beginning the first of October, protect the plants from light by placing them in a dark closet between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM daily. Exposure to even the slightest amount of artificial light during this period will inhibit flowering. After 40 days of this treatment, 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. After the plants begin to drop their leaves, withhold water to encourage dormancy, and store in a cool location (50-60 degrees F). Subscribe Get 10% off on pickupflowers.com explore Christmas Flowers - Flowers For Christmas Christmas : Christmas Flowers Christmas Flowers Flowers are one of the most beautiful creations of the God. They brighten our lives with their colors and with their beautiful smell. Christmas is a season of decorations and you have to lighten up the whole of your home as well as your surroundings for that.

You will have some beautiful decorations done with wreaths, nativity scenes, Christmas Trees, and flower arrangements. Flower arrangements are an integral part of every Christmas decoration and at Christmas, they are more unique as the arrangements will solely be with Christmas flowers. Therefore ignoring the prominence of flowers in a Christmas decoration is near to impossible. There are quite a number of flowers that are been used for Christmas decorations. They vary from poinsettia in North America to Pohutukawa in New Zealand. People celebrate Christmas with flowers that are common in their region or which they call their 'Christmas Flower'. In case your loved ones are in India, you can send flower basket to India on Christmas. Here are some flowers that are considered as Christmas flowers at different places. Flowers For Christmas Poinsettia It is a beautiful, red, star-shaped flower, the blooming season of which coincides with the Christmas season. It is considered as one of the favorite flowers of Christmas. The legend of poinsettia came all the way from Mexico. According to the tale a girl named Maria and her brother Pablo were very poor and couldn't buy any gifts for Baby Jesus in the manger at church.

So they took some weeds that they found on their way to the Church service and planted it all around the manger. However, miraculously the green top leaves of the weeds turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today. In some places, it is also said that the poinsettias symbolizes the 'Star' of Bethlehem. Known as 'Flame Leaf' or 'Flower of the Holy Night', poinsettia is a part and parcel of every Christmas decoration now. The Christmas Rose The Christmas rose, also called the Snow or Winter Rose, is a well known English plant which is traditionally regarded as a true Christmas flower across Europe. It blooms in the depths of winter in the mountains of Central Europe. There is a legend associated with the Christmas rose too which is related to shepherdess named Madelon. It was on a cold and wintry night when the Wise Men and the shepherds walked past her with gifts for the Christ Child. Knowing this, poor Madelon started weeping as she couldn't even find a flower to gift the Holy Child.

An angel, seeing her tears, brushed away the snow revealing a most beautiful white flower tipped with pink, the Christmas rose. Thus, Christmas rose is a favorite among the Europeans. Christmas Cactus Also known as the 'orchid cactus' usually bloom during the Christmas season. It is a great choice for the hanging baskets as it has a pendulous stem. Pohutukawa The pohutukawa tree is often associated with Christmas in New Zealand. The bright red flowers that they are, blooms in December. Ivy leaves They symbolize eternity and resurrection. The ivy leaf has been associated with the Egyptian God, Osiris, and the Greco-Roman god, Attis. They were both resurrected from the dead. Mistletoe The use of it has been dated back to the time of pagans. It is also said that the Druid priests used it much before the birth of Jesus Christ for the winter celebrations. Cherry Blooms It is the custom in central and northern Europe to break off a branch of a cherry tree at the beginning of the Advent and keep it in water in a warm room. The flowers will burst into bloom at Christmas time.

Poinsettia Facts - The Poinsettia Pages - University of Illinois Extension University of Illinois Extension Poinsettia Facts 10 Interesting Facts about Poinsettias No flower says Christmas like the beautiful poinsettia. Learn a few facts about this traditional Christmas plant. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. Many plants in the Euphorbiaceae family ooze a milky sap. Some people with latex allergies have had a skin reaction (most likely to the sap) after touching the leaves. For pets, the poinsettia sap may cause mild irritation or nausea. Probably best to keep pets away from the plant, especially puppies and kittens. Poinsettias are not poisonous. A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than 500 leaves to have any harmful effect. Plus poinsettia leaves have an awful taste. You might want to keep your pets from snacking on poinsettia leaves. Eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color. Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United States from Mexico. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. In Mexico the poinsettia is a perennial shrub that will grow 10-15 feet tall. There are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias available today. Poinsettias come in colors like the traditional red, white, pink, burgundy, marbled and speckled. The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 70% of all Poinsettias purchased in the United States and does about 50% of the world-wide sales of Poinsettias. December 12th is Poinsettia Day, which marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1851. What's in a Name? Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family.

Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. In Nahuatl , the language of the Aztecs, the Poinsettia was called Cuitlaxochitl (from cuitlatl, for residue, and xochitl, for flower), meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil." Today the plant is known in Mexico and Guatemala as ""La Flor de la Nochebuena" (Flower of the Holy Night, or Christmas Eve). In Chile and Peru, the Poinsettia is called the "Crown of the Andes". In Spain the Poinsettia has a different holiday attribution. It is known there as "Flor de Pascua", meaning "Easter flower". Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color. Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.

He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. The word Poinsettia is traditionally capitalized because it is named after a person. Anatomy of a Poinsettia The showy colored parts of Poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting Poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing. Many plants in the Euphorbiaceae family ooze a milky sap. Some people with latex allergies have had a skin reaction (most likely to the sap) after touching the leaves. Despite rumors to the contrary, Poinsettias are not poisonous. A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than a pound-and-a-quarter of Poinsettia leaves (500 to 600 leaves) to have any side effects. The most common side effects that have been reported from Poinsettia ingestions are upset stomach and vomiting.

The leaves are reportedly not very tasty, so it's highly unlikely that kids or even pets would be able to eat that many! But be aware that the leaves can still be a choking hazard for children and pets. In nature, Poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that were once considered weeds. Poinsettias are not frost-tolerant. They will grow outdoors in temperate coastal climates, such as Southern California beach communities. In the ground, they can reach 10 feet tall. The colors of the bracts are created through "photoperiodism", meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. On the other hand, once Poinsettias finish that process, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. Great Moments in Poinsettia History Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They are found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala. They are also found in the interior of Mexico in the hot, seasonally dry forests of Gurerro and Oxaca.

December 12th is Poinsettia Day, which marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1851. In Mexico, the Poinsettia is displayed in celebration of the "Dia de la Virgen", which is also coincidentally, December 12th. The Aztecs used the Poinsettia bracts to make a reddish purple dye for fabrics, and used the sap medicinally to control fevers. Montezuma, the last of the Aztec Kings, had Poinsettias delivered to him by caravan to what is now Mexico City, because Poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude. Paul Ecke Jr. is considered the father of the Poinsettia industry due to his discovery of a technique which caused seedlings to branch. This technique allowed the Poinsettia industry to flourish. The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 70% of all Poinsettias purchased in the United States and about 50% of the world-wide sales of Poinsettias.

As of August 2012, the Ecke Ranch, which was family-owned and operated for nearly 100 years, announced that it had been acquired by the Dutch-based Agribio Group. The Ecke family had a secret technique that caused every seedling to branch, resulting in a fuller plant. In 1991, a university graduate student published an article that described a method for causing Poinsettias to branch. With the secret out and available to everyone, competition flourished, especially from Europe, resulting in a decrease of Ecke's share of the market. An NCAA college football bowl game in San Diego is named the Poinsettia Bowl. The first bowl was played in December of 1952 and was created as a military services championship game, with the Western and Eastern military services champions competing against each other. Poinsettias By the Numbers There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettias available. Though once only available in red, there are now Poinsettias in pink, white, yellow, purple, salmon, and multi-colors. They have names like 'Premium Picasso', 'Monet Twilight', 'Shimmer', and 'Surprise'.

The red Poinsettia still dominates over other color options. 'Prestige Red'--one of many poinsettias patented by Ecke--ranks among the best-selling hybrids. Poinsettias contribute over $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level. California is the top U.S. Poinsettia-producing state. Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the United States and Canada. Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant. Most Poinsettias are sold within a six-week period leading up to that holiday, representing some $60 million worth. It is estimated that women account for 80% of Poinsettia sales. The most common question people have about Poinsettias is how to get them to rebloom in successive years. References: Poinsettias - Also Know as the Mexican Flame Leaf 0 When the Christmas season starts setting in, you will find many houses having a common plant adorning their interiors. The vividly colored poinsettia. Although it looks very colorful, it isn’t a flowering plant.

Since it looks pretty and can make the interiors very vibrant, instead of spending on pricey flower plants, many people decorate their homes with poinsettias. Background of the Poinsettia The poinsettia is basically a native plant of Mexico, where it grows wild. Joel Robert Poinsett, the amateur botanist and first ambassador to Mexico, first introduced it in the US in 1825. The story goes that he brought some cuttings to his Greenwood plantation, in South Carolina. Ever since, this plant has become a household name all over the country. There have been a few stories attached to this plant. According to a legend, a small girl called Pepita did not have a gift to present baby Jesus, so she collected a handful of weeds on her way to church. As she neared the church, she noticed that the weeds had bloomed miraculously into vibrantly colored flowers, which came to be known as Flowers of the Holy Night or Flores de Noche Buena. The various names of the Poinsettia The Aztec name for the plant was Cuetlaxochitl. They made a reddish purple dye from the bracts.

The poinsettia is known as the Crown of the Andes in Chile and Peru. The plant is also referred to as the Flame Leaf Flower. It is a perennial flowering shrub that can grow up to ten feet in height. The Poinsettia – Botanically speaking Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is also called Mexican Flame Leaf. It is an open, partially deciduous shrub, erect and spreading, and generally sparingly branched. The leaves are lobed or toothed, and are ovate to lance-shaped. These are medium to deep green in color, and 15 cm long. The colors of the Poinsettia range from white to pink, to the traditional red. There are other color variants, like shades of yellow and peach, in between. The new varieties come in marbled, wrinkled and even flecked bracts. Grown from tiny plantings, they are grown in all fifty states, although most originate from the Paul Ecke Ranch in California. Is the Poinsettia poisonous? It is a mistaken notion held by many that the poinsettia is a poisonous plant.

But, according to scientific tests conducted by the Ohio State University, the plant is non-toxic to both humans and animals. As a matter of fact, according to studies conducted by the Carnegie Mellon University and Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, out of the 22,793 reported exposures, there was no significant toxicity found. Hence, even pet owners need not ban the poinsettia. However, to avoid it being accidentally eaten, it is advisable to keep the plant out of reach of small children and pets. Like all ornamental plants, the poinsettia is not edible, and can certainly cause discomfort if ingested. Price of a Poinsettia Poinsettias are priced from under $10 to more than $100, based on the variety, size, shape, decorative trim and quality. When buying a poinsettia, make sure the bracts are thoroughly colored and expanded, the stems are sturdy, there are no signs of wilting, and it has plentiful green foliage. Care Poinsettias need indirect sunlight, room temperature, and light to average soil moisture. Excessive temperatures and over watering are the most common threats to the plant.

Simply prevent soggy soil, excessive heat, or cold drafts, for a healthy plant. Thus, with a little care, your poinsettias can last through Christmas and even after that. These beautiful make popular gifts, and are a favorite decorative item. How to take care of the Poinsettia in different seasons In the winter, the poinsettia bears terminal cymes, about 30 cm across, and green colored cyathia encircled by leaf-like, large bright red bracts. Some varieties have white or cream involucra. Although these bright red bracts are usually mistaken for flowers, in fact they are the small yellow buds in the center. You can grow Poinsettias in the spring by sowing seeds, or in the early spring by division, or use basal cuttings either in early summer or spring. To prevent bleeding, you can dip the cut surfaces in charcoal or lukewarm water. Poinsettias need a soil mix of 3 parts loam-based potting compost and one part grit. It likes a well-ventilated position and full light. When in growth, water it sparingly and fertilize it with a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer every month. Keep it dry during winter.

Poinsettias are short-day plants and need extra care to have them bloom for Christmas . Put the plants in a place where night temperatures are around 15 degrees Celsius (60 F), and keep them away from artificial light at night. To initiate flowering, poinsettias need 12-14 hours of complete darkness daily for a minimum of two months. You can control the day length by putting the plant in a dark area at around 5 pm and removing it at 8 am. This needs to be done for 11 weeks. Start in mid autumn for a good bloom in Christmas. Plus, make sure to water them adequately, control night temperatures, and fertilize them to get a healthy color display for the holidays. After the plant flowers, to get the brightest bract color, make sure to keep the compost moist and place it in a brightly lit room. The plants tend to lose color and start shedding leaves and bracts if they get very cold. Therefore, make sure they are well covered when you buy them in the flowering season.

Related Poinsettia Flower Facts & Meaning | December Birth Flower | Christmas Plants Information Poinsettia flower December Birth Flower Also known as the Christmas flower, the poinsettias origin is legendary. It is believed it began as nothing other than a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. The weeds turned into brilliant red blooms we now know as the poinsettia, and the congregation felt they had witnessed a Christmas miracle. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular potted plants, particularly during Christmas. Poinsettia was named after the first ambassador of US to Mexico, Dr. Joel Robert Poinsett who introduced the plant to United States in 1825. Poinsettias are also known by other names such as winter rose, lobster flower, Mexican flame leaf, Noche Buena, Christmas star and Christmas flower. Peru and Chile called the poinsettia the “Crown of the Andes”.

The botanical name of poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means “the most beautiful Euphorbia”. The plants are native to Central America and southern Mexico. Physical Appearance Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. There are many plants in this family ooze a milky sap, and this milky sap can cause skin irritation to some people. The sap can also cause an upset stomach if consumed in large quantities. Poinsettia has bright color and mostly red. Poinsettias also bloom in lemon, cream, peach, pink colors and with gold- and white- splashed leaves. The bright petals (which look like flowers) of poinsettias are actually the bunch of upper leaves of the plant (known as bracts). The green leaves are oval and lobed with pointed tip with prominent lighter veins. The flowers of poinsettia are small, yellow or green, and grow inconspicuously in the center of each leaf bunch. Flowers are usually red, white, pink and bi-colored. Flowers are borne at the stem tips in winter. New stems are red.

Characteristics In nature, poinsettias are perenial flowering shrubs that can grow to 10 feet tall. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available. In order to identify a fresh poinsettia, look for the one which there is no or little yellow pollen showing on the flower clusters in tthe center of the bracts. If the plants have shed their pollen, soon they will drop their colorful bracts. Many species in the genus Euphorbia are highly toxic, poinsettias are a member of the euphorbia family and white, milky latex sap may cause eye and skin irritations in people sensitive to the sap. These plants are best classified as "possibly toxic" and not "poisonous". 80% of poinsettias are purchased by women, and 80% of people who purchase these plants are 40 or older. 74% of Americans still prefer red poinsettias, while 8% prefer white and pink for 6%. They are sub-tropical plants and will wither if the night temperature falls below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).

The day time temperatures in excess of 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) shorten the lifespan of poinsettias. Poinsettias are grown as indoor plants in colder climates. As indoor plants, they need exposure to the morning sun and shade. Poinsettias are priced according to the number of blooms, more blooms means more expensive. Poinsettias are also one of the most dificult to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plants need a period of long uninterrupted, light-free nights for around 2 months in early spring in order to develop flowers. Uses, Symbolism and Meanings Poinsettias were prized by the ancient Aztecs (the Mexican Indians) as a symbol of purity. Centuries later, the early Christian of Mexico adopted the plant as their prized Christmas Eve flower. The Mexican poinsettias are usually bright red. By design or accident, poinsettias have become as much a symbol of Christmas as Chrstmas trees and mistletoe. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. The Aztecs called the poinsettia Cuetlaxochitl which means “flower with leather petals”.

The bracts of the plant was used by them to make a reddish purple dye. In North America, poinsettia is the number one selling potted plant, grossing more than $250 milion sales during the 6-week period before Christmas. 90% of all poinsettias are exported from the U.S and California is the top producing state. Poinsettia, is known for its striking red displays at Christmas time. It is often used as a floral Christmas decoration because of its festive colors. Today, in the language of flowers, this December birth flower symbolizes success and good cheer and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration. How to quickly and easily create your own wedding flowers, wedding centerpieces, wedding bouquets, bridal bouquets, and boutonnieres. Poinsettias -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com The Yule Log Poinsettias at Christmas Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as 'Taxco del Alarcon' where they flower during the winter. The ancient Aztecs called them 'cuetlaxochitl'.

The Aztecs had many uses for them including using the flowers (actually special types of leaves known as bracts rather than being flowers) to make a purple dye for clothes and cosmetics and the milky white sap was made into a medicine to treat fevers. (Today we call the sap latex!) The poinsettia was made widely known because of a man called Joel Roberts Poinsett (that's why we call them Poinsettia!). He was the first Ambassador from the USA to Mexico in 1825. Poinsett had some greenhouses on his plantations in South Carolina, and while visiting the Taco area in 1828, he became very interested in the plants. He immediately sent some of the plants back to South Carolina, where he began growing the plants and sending them to friends and botanical gardens. One of the friends he sent plants to was John Bartram of Philadelphia. At the first Philadelphia flower show, Robert Buist, a plants-man from Pennsylvania saw the flower and he was probably the first person to have sold the poinsettias under their botanical, or latin name, name 'Euphorbia pulcherrima' (it means, 'the most beautiful Euphorbia').

They were first sold as cut flowers. It was only in the early 1900s that they were sold as whole plants for landscaping and pot plants. The Ecke family from Southern California were one of, if not, the first to sell them as whole plant and they're still the main producer of the plants in the USA. It is thought that they became known as Poinsettia in the mid 1830s when people found out who had first brought them to America from Mexico. There is an old Mexican legend about how Poinsettias and Christmas come together, it goes like this: There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. 'Pepita', he said "I'm sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy." Pepita didn't know what she could give, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed because she could only give this small present to Jesus.

As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had said. She began to feel better, knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the 'Flores de Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the Holy Night'. The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity. The Poinsettia is also the national emblem of Madagascar . La Flor De Noche Buena - Focus on Mexico Focus On Mexico La Flor De Noche Buena 12 | 09 | 2007 Its Latin name is Euphorbia Pulcherrima.

Euphorbia pulcherrima (literally, "the most beautiful Euphorbia") also known as the “Flor del Noche Buena” in Mexico, or the “Flame Leaf” in Central America is a favorite of all of the Americas at Christmas.Its Mexican monikers include the ancient Nahuatl term Cuitlaxochitl (star flower), along with Catarina (Catherine), Flor de Pastor (Shepherd's Flower) and, most commonly, Flor de Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Flower). In the English-speaking world this illustrious holiday bloom is called the Poinsettia, named after Dr. Joel R. Poinsett, a U.S. diplomat who served as Minister to Mexico in the 1820's. Like many newcomers to Mexico, he was no doubt enthralled by the sight of the gargantuan shrubs covered in mid-winter with brilliant vermillion blossoms. After experimenting with various methods of propagation, he returned home to Charleston, South Carolina with enough cuttings to begin the cultivation of these stunning plants in northern climes. There is also a wonderful legend in Mexico as to how the flower became used to celebrate Christmas.

It is said that a poor young peasant girl in Mexico on her way to celebrate Christmas at church followed scores of people carrying brilliant gifts to honor baby Jesus, but suddenly felt embarrassed because she had no gift to give. The little girl so desperately wanted to give something of great value and when she could think of nothing, she began to cry. Some people say that a friend of the little girl saw her crying and went over to console her. The little girl confessed that she had nothing to give and her friend told her that any gift from the heart would surely be appreciated. Others say that an angel appeared and told the young girl to pick a bouquet of weeds from the roadside. Either way, the girl picked a handful of weeds from the roadside and continued to church. At church people lined up to place extravagant gifts at the foot of the nativity scene. People looked at the little girl in disbelief as she placed her weeds near the manger. Suddenly the weeds transformed into beautiful red flowers, and everyone who witnessed the gift swore they had witnessed none other than a Christmas miracle. Each year at Christmas time, beautiful red poinsettias bloomed on the roadside.

People began to spread word of the miracle witnessed, and the red flowers were called 'Flores de Noche Buena' - Flowers of the Holy Night. The story of the poor peasant girl is told each year in Mexico, inspiring all that a gift from the heart is the most precious gift of all, and even the simplest of things can be great. Among pre-Hispanic tribes of ancient Mexico, the Cuitlaxochitl was more than just a pretty face. The plant was originally used by the Aztecs. The sap from the plants bract was used to reduce fevers and to make a reddish-purple dye. It is said that Montezuma, the last of the Aztec Kings brought the flowers from Southern Mexico in caravans to Mexico City because it would not grow at the higher altitudes. Care of Poinsettias whether you live in Mexico or some place else!: To check the maturity of a poinsettia plant, look for yellow pollen on the true flowers. The flower of the poinsettia is found at the base of the colorful petal-like bracts. Flowers that are green or red and fresh looking will last longer than ones with yellow grains of pollen on them.

The poinsettia you buy for Christmas, and yes, even in Mexico, they are starting to appear, was grown at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F, with high humidity and as much sunshine as possible in the greenhouse. You will need to simulate these conditions as much as possible to ensure the plant lasts for a long period after your purchase. You will want to place the plant in a well-lighted location free from drafts and extremes in temperature. Make sure that the outdoor poinsettia receives only natural sunlight. Any additional light from yard and street lights will inhibit blooming. Indoors, keep the plant from touching cold windowpanes. Poinsettias thrive in bright but not direct sunlight. It should have at least six to eight hours of direct natural or artificial light and placed in a window facing south, east or west. If possible, keep the plant with other plants or place the pot in a gravel-filled pan with water. This practice will keep the humidity a little higher around the plant in an otherwise dry, winter home. Examine the plant on a regular basis for watering.

When the soil surface feels dry to the touch fill the pot to the top with water and allow it to soak in until the excess begins to drain out the bottom. Do not leave the pot setting in a pool of water. Over watering will damage the roots and will result in wilting or leaf problems (turning yellow and dropping prematurely). Insufficient light, drafts and lack of nitrogen may also cause the leaves to turn yellow or drop. Freezing temperatures or cold drafts may cause wilting of the leaves. Check your poinsettia daily and follow these tips. Water your poinsettia frequently but don't drown it. Keep the plant out of drafts, hot or cold. Place the plant in good light inside the house. And finally, after blooming, discard or begin preparing the plant to bloom again next year. Keep pinching out the tips of the new growth once a month so the plant will bush out. Do no pinching after August 15th. The plant should flower right on time if these procedures are followed. Poinsettia Facts Poinsettias can grow up to 10 feet. But, to grow them this big you will need a few years in a tropical climate that does not experience frosts.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico. Chile and Peru called the poinsettia the "Crown of the Andes." Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap. Other prominent plants include Manioc, the Castor bean, and the Para rubber tree. In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that can grow to ten feet tall. The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). Poinsettias are priced according to the number of blooms. The more blooms, the more expensive the plant. The flowers or cyathia of the poinsettia are in the center of the colorful bracts. Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and flame leaf flower. Recent research has shown that poinsettias are not poisonous, but the plants are intended solely for orna­mental purposes. Some people are allergic to the milky sap and may develop a rash when exposed to the sap. Avoid breaking the leaves and stems which releases the sap. It is wise to keep any houseplant out of the reach of small children and pets.

A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache. A fresh poinsettia is one on which little or no yellow pollen is showing on the flower clusters in the center of the bracts. Plants that have shed their pollen will soon drop their colorful bracts. Poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season. Ninety percent of all poinsettias are exported from the United States. In the 17th century, Juan Balme, a botanist, mentioned poinsettia plants in his writings. Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett. Poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states. California is the top poinsettia producing state. Did you know that the poinsettia has a special day all its own? By an Act of Congress, December 12 was set aside as National Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1851, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States.

The purpose of the day is to enjoy the beauty of this popular holiday plant. So, be sure to give someone you love a poinsettia on December 12, National Poinsettia Day! The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 80 percent of poinsettias in the United States for the wholesale market. Ninety per cent of all the flowering poinsettias in the world got their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available. $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season. Seventy-four percent of Americans still prefer red poinsettias; 8 percent prefer white and 6 percent pink. Eighty percent of poinsettias are purchased by women. Eighty percent of people who purchase poinsettias are 40 or older. Poinsettias are the best-selling, flowering, potted plant in the United States. Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant even though most are sold in a 6

Question: Which Mexican plant is sometimes called the Flower of the Holy Night or Mexican Flame Leaf?
Answer: Poinsettia