Winter+Flower+and+Wreath+Info

Winter Flowers and Wreaths As the holiday season approaches, it's time to get your winter flowers and wreaths! The Malden High Crew Team is having their annual winter flowers and wreaths sale to help fundraise for the season. Below is the information regarding all the winter flowers and wreaths available. ** Christmas Cactus **

The Christmas cactus should be placed in a spot where it receives indoor indirect bright light during the daylight hours, but total darkness at night. (Much the same exposure you would give a poinsettia except a Christmas poinsettia requires warm temperatures whereas the Christmas cactus needs a spot where the temperatures are cool during the fall months.) Since the Christmas cactus is a tropical plant it will require watering on much the same basis as any other type of tropical plant. A good procedure to follow is to water the plants thoroughly and then allow about the top inch of soil to dry before watering again. However, during the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to get them to bloom. Christmas cactus require about 50 to 60 percent humidity. So it's a good practice to place a glass, vase or tray of water near the plant. As the water evaporates it will provide the humidity the cactus needs. The Christmas cactus should never be placed near a door that opens and closes to the outside. Likewise, keep it away from heating ducts or near the fireplace or drafty areas. After The Christmas holiday season, the Christmas cactus should be given about a 30 day rest. Again place it in a cool room and provide limited water. Don't worry if it loses a few leaves or joints and appears weak during this rest period. This is not the time to pinch, prune or shape a Christmas cactus. The best time is when the new growth begins in March or early April. Likewise, the best time for repotting a cactus is in February, March or April. However, keep in mind the plant will flower best if it's kept in a container where it's pot-bound. If your Christmas cactus is given proper care and is placed in the right location, it's not unusual for it to flower several times throughout the year.

Amaryllis Care After planting, place the amaryllis in a warm, sunny room (68-70 F). Water sparingly until the first shoots appear, then water whenever the soil begins to dry out. Rotate the plant every few days so it doesn’t lean too much toward the light. Flowering will be prolonged if the plant is moved to a cooler area out of direct sunlight. If your amaryllis appears to be flowering too soon for your liking, move it to a cooler area for a few days. ** Poinsettia Care: **


 * Light: Medium light areas are best for Poinsettias, but the will tolerate low light. Avoid full sun to prevent burned leaves.
 * Water: Water when the soil surface becomes dry.
 * Temperature: Keep at temperatures between 60º and 70ºF.
 * NOTE: Poinsettia Plants bloom when they enter the reproductive state which starts after the first day of autumn when the nights last 12 hours or more. The reproductive state can be interrupted by even small light sources that shine on it when it is supposed to be night. If the reproductive state is interrupted the plant will not bloom.

Remove the sleeve immediately when you get the plant home. If a plant sleeve stays in place more than 24 hours, the ethylene gas produced by the plant will cause the leaves to begin falling off. When you are bringing a poinsettia home, protect it from cold and drafts --these also cause the plant to drop its leaves. At home, put your plant in indirect or filtered light. Do not place it in a bright southern or western exposure, on a hot television, near a heat vent or a draft from a door, or in a place where there is no natural light. All of these can cause leaf drop or the premature demise of your plant. Allow the soil of a poinsettia to get semi-dry between waterings. Make sure you drain off all excess water when you do water it. With the proper care, your poinsettia will last for months.

Frosty Fern

** Paperwhites **

**Planting and Watering Instructions for Containers without Drainage Holes **  **Planting --** Paperwhites can be forced using 3- to 4-inch deep decorative containers that do not have drainage holes. To force the bulbs using this system:

 1. Place 1 to 2 inches of washed gravel or stones in the bottom of the container.

 2. Carefully, place the bulbs on the gravel or stones.

 3. Subsequently, place enough gravel or stones over or around the bulbs to hold them in place.

 **Watering --** Add just enough water to bring it to base of the bulbs and subsequently, maintain it at this level. Do not immerse the bulbs in water, only the basal (root) plate should be in water.

**Planting and Watering Instructions for Containers with Drainage Holes **  **Planting --** Use a well-drained, pH 6 to 7, sterilized planting medium. Any width pot can be used; it depends on the number of bulbs to be forced. However, use a pot that is 3 to 4 inches deep, and plant the bulbs with the noses even or slightly below the rim of the pot.

 **Watering --** After planting, water the medium thoroughly. Then, keep it moist, but not soggy wet!

**General Home Forcing Instructions ** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Temperature** - Initially, use a 60 to 65 degree area in the home. When in flower, use the coolest area of the home.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Light --** Paperwhites will flower under any light conditions. However, for best results, initially place them in a window area with a southern exposure. When the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sun-light and place plants in coolest area of the home. This helps to prolong the flowering of the plants.