Just Another Poinsettia
By Lisa King
As in every season, the plants that are in bloom at the time remind us of our traditions and bring back comforting memories of past celebrations with family and friends. This is especially true of poinsettias and Christmas. The beautiful poinsettia plants with their bracts in brilliant red color add a special sense to the season like that of no other plant.
There are so many poinsettias displayed throughout the holiday season it is easy to take them for granted. We see them for sale in every shopping mall and retail store thoughout town. We see them being used as decorations throughout our homes, churches and businesses. Oh look, just another poinsettia. No big deal. For the people who grow these special holiday plants and make sure that there are plenty of poinsettias around for people to enjoy and decorate with, it is a big deal.
Poinsettia plants don't grow in cardboard boxes or plastic sleeves by themselves. They are grown in heated greenhouses starting 4-6 months before the Christmas celebration begins. The plants are watered, pruned, pinched, staked, fertilized and diligently cared for by many people who's fulltime job is to make sure the poinsettias will look just right for the seasonal celebrations ahead. The plants must be kept warm at just the right temperature throughout their entire growing season. Midnight trips to the greenhouses during really cold nights are a major part of the grower's job description. You can't let the heat go out in the middle of the night or there won't be any poinsettias alive the following morning. After months of growing the holiday plants, they then must be carefully packed and safely transported to their destinations with all stems, leaves, blooms and pots in tact. Not an easy job sometimes as plants are mainly driven by semi-tractor trailers over bouncy truck worn roads. It can be done and it will be done again this year. The poinsettias in all their colorful blooming glory will arrive in time to help us celebrate the Christmas season ahead.
Let's not take poinsettias for granted. Thank goodness we have poinsettias. Their beautiful red flowers remind us of a very special season and help enhance our celebrations just by being in bloom. |
