We love this time of year here in the garden center, and we want to make sure you get the very best out of your holiday classics! So, we made a list of quick care tips to help you out, and included some fun facts about each plant:

Poinsettias 

• Place in indirect sunlight, indoors or out
• Water every other day to every 3^rd day by setting in sink to soak, then drain  or place 4-5 ice cubes per day in pot 
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with liquid organic Hasta Gro
• Periodically freshen up by pulling old leaves

Fun facts:  Poinsettias are a type of succulent native to Mexico. Before they arrive here at the garden center, they require 12 hours of total darkness each day to produce blooms!

Christmas Cactus

• Keep in indirect sunlight, indoors or out
• Water when dry, about every 4-5 days
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with liquid organic Hasta Gro

Fun facts:  Can last a VERY long time (as in 50 years or more). Native to tropical forests of Southeastern Brazil. If you are not seeing many blooms, try placing it in a dark area away from light for 8-12 hours – similar to poinsettias…

Amaryllis

• Keep in good indirect indoor light
• Keep soil moist but not wet
• Once bloom fades, trim and plant in garden, leaving center of bulb above soil level

Fun facts:  The gift that keeps on giving – they multiply! They can be divided each year to share with loved ones. 

Paperwhite Narcissus

• Refrigerate for 4-6 weeks prior to planting. (plant around Thanksgiving for holiday blooms!)
• Fill a clear vase with a few inches of pea gravel.
• Nestle bulbs side by side into the gravel.
• Add water up to the bottom of the bulb and
  place near a sunny window.

Fun facts:  Native to the Mediterranean region. Paperwhites were an early item of commerce – they arrived in China during the Late Sung period, about 1,000 years ago, probably introduced by Arab traders.

Cyclamen

• One more time…keep in good indirect indoor or outdoor light 
• Water when dry
• Trim spent blooms to encourage new blooms
• Best outdoors in pots once holiday season is over

Fun facts:  Cyclamen are associated with falling in love, raising self-esteem and confidence, and even healing snake bites (we would not suggest trying this one). Some say putting Cyclamen flowers in your nostrils is a cure for baldness!