Poinsettia cuttings delivered....

[petal*pusher]

Funny to be thinking about CHRISTMAS already! Tuesday, we had our 2,000 rooted cuttings delivered. Twelve different varieties this year! There's a new one for us called "White Sparkle"...anxious to see how it looks.

We have 2 full classes again this year...25 students in the a.m....25 more in p.m. Memorizing 50 names is always such a challenge for me!

Once more...I wish I were about 5 persons. Our Special Needs population is over 85%...a little more than last year. I love challenges, but....WHEW!! It's such a reward to see the difference we can make in some of these kids lives...and the difference they make in OURS! The p.m. class has an aid that attends with 3 of the students...she's been in our class before, so it's wonderful to have her. Often, our SN kids do the best in the greenhouse production part of our class, keeping hands busy and loving the responsibility of keeping track of progress...but it's going to be an interesting year!

Each student has 30 poinsettias they are responsible for. (we also have several "orphans" that have been potted up, but will be a 2nd year greenhouse student's responsibility) They keep daily records of their crop...marking down leaf/color changes, pinching, watering, fert., etc.

We have a customer that purchases 700 poinsettias each year and distributes them to shut-ins thruout SE MI. The sale of the Poinsettias is put toward each students' FFA membership fee. This is a great project for the kids.

Most were planted in 6" pots...and we'll "pinch-'em-back" on Monday...which means taking the top (terminal) of the plant off, leaving 6 to 8 leaves at the base. By doing this, a flower will form at most leaf node, making several blossoms on each plant instead of one huge "blossom" on the plant. (I say "blossom" because the colorful part is actually NOT the flower...they are the bracts...the actual flower are those tiny little ugly fellas in the center!) Some years, we start new plants from what is discarded..creating the cutest little 5" poinsettias! Some larger pots of multiple plants are also started.

We'll start covering them in a couple weeks to limit their light in order to have those beautiful bracts color up so we can start selling the first of Dec.

Here's some pics of a few years ago...I've posted them before, but thought some may enjoy seeing.....p

Poinsettia crop 2004 pictures from flowers photos on webshots

Work Related; Christmas 2002 projects pictures from christmas decorations photos on webshots

[greenasagourd]

What a wonderful & fun project! It's so great that a plant can bring joy to so many lives from the students to the shut-ins. Poinsettias are so cool with their bracts & light sensitivity. If you live in the deep south you can grow them in your yard (too cold here). They sure say Christmas! Petal, those kids are so lucky to have you for a teacher. Hope you break the record for funds!

When I worked at the university, I always bought poinsettas from the horticulture students & it helped fund their projects.

[Pburgh]

Pam, you always amaze me. Each student is a special project for you as is each flower that you care for - you're so nurturing and kind.

I was surprised that you called those bracts flowers. That's one of the first things I learned from you. LOL Always learning, always learning.

[Bird Lover]

Pam, I enjoyed seeing your pictures again. Your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher. I've learned alot from you myself. Sadly, I've never been able to force a poinsettia to bloom a second year. We have one sitting on a desk in our front office, that has huge windows allowing plenty of light in all day long. It's a beautiful, green plant. It's quite happy being green too.

[Pburgh]

Pat, you should name that plant Kermit.

[petal*pusher]

Originally Posted by Pburgh

Pat, you should name that plant Kermit.

Pat...it would be fun to see if you CAN get your poinsettia to "color up" this year wouldn't it?!? Are ya game to try it?? I can let you know the BIG SECRET !!.......................p

[Bird Lover]

I know that it needs long hours in darkness. But please tell me what to do, (the plant at work belongs to a co-worker) I brought mine home last year & kept it alive all through the summer, but managed to kill it anyway when I brought it back inside when fall returned. I'll pass along the info, and will probably get a new plant myself this year too.

[debrac69]

My family are such big Christmas-holics that we've already cemented our plans for this year! I'll be having my family and John's family here for Christmas Dinner. We're going to need one HUGE Roast Beef that's for sure!! There will definitely be 18 and we may go up to 22. There is the slightest chance 6 more may come but I can't imagine one table that will hold 28 people actually fitting into my dining room!! Of course, you know my motto ~ the more the merrier especially at the holidays!

It's only 101 days left til Christmas!!!

I love poinsettia's. The pink and whites are my favs. I just wish they didn't cost so much. Reds are much cheaper but I just don't like red and I decorate more towards the Victorian colors of deep green and burgundy. I keep the plants only for the holidays and then toss them. I can never get them to color up again. Besides, I put them where they look the best in the house, which usually means they are not getting enough light and are in drafts from the front door. Needless to say they are looking very shabby come the new year.

I would love to see those poinsettia trees in bloom! I bet they are amazing!