[gomoho]

I have seen several homes that have decorated their landscape with pointsettias - yes the real ones, not plastic. I am curious how they will do outside through the Christmas season and what do they prefer - sun, shade, a combo? can they handle the cold nights outside? I love the way they look in the landscapae and want to incorporate them in my decorations, but not sure how they will hold up. Thanks in advance for any info - have already
googled it, but don't really address putting them in the landscape before the holiday season, just a lot of information after the plant is done.

[Jim 9922]

We plant Christmas Pointsettias on the east side of the house for early morning sun and deep shade afternoons, with lots of fertlizer, normal water cycles, and have beautiful red plants for the next Christmas. We keep trimming back and shaping until early May and then let them go at it. They will not tolerate a frost so you must keep them covered with a thick blanket during frost alerts. If nipped by frost, trim back to a couple feet above the ground and they should come back next year, but they are done for the current year. A hard freeze for several days in a row will probably kill them to the roots, but cut way back and see if anything comes back in the spring. A few years ago we dug up a 7 year old plant with a root ball as large as a carving pumpkin. It was a beautiful plant but it just kept getting too big for the garden space.
If done right, a $5.00 Home Depot plant this year should grow into a 3 to 4 foot bush next year.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by gomoho

I have seen several homes that have decorated their landscape with pointsettias - yes the real ones, not plastic. I am curious how they will do outside through the Christmas season and what do they prefer - sun, shade, a combo? can they handle the cold nights outside? I love the way they look in the landscapae and want to incorporate them in my decorations, but not sure how they will hold up. Thanks in advance for any info - have already
googled it, but don't really address putting them in the landscape before the holiday season, just a lot of information after the plant is done.

Poinsettias grown in Hawaii. They are an under canopy plant that will take early morning sun only. In Hawaii they grow to be large bushes if planted in the ground. They are very appealing to white flies. I had several large ones in my yard planted from Christmas pots that I cut down because of the white flies.

[Serenoa]

Woohoo! One more thing I can look forward to growing in TV some day.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Jim 9922

We plant Christmas Pointsettias on the east side of the house for early morning sun and deep shade afternoons, with lots of fertlizer, normal water cycles, and have beautiful red plants for the next Christmas. We keep trimming back and shaping until early May and then let them go at it. They will not tolerate a frost so you must keep them covered with a thick blanket during frost alerts. If nipped by frost, trim back to a couple feet above the ground and they should come back next year, but they are done for the current year. A hard freeze for several days in a row will probably kill them to the roots, but cut way back and see if anything comes back in the spring. A few years ago we dug up a 7 year old plant with a root ball as large as a carving pumpkin. It was a beautiful plant but it just kept getting too big for the garden space.
If done right, a $5.00 Home Depot plant this year should grow into a 3 to 4 foot bush next year.

We have good luck with planting our Christmas Pointsetta but you are correct in that they dont like frost/freeze. The good news is that the heavy frost and freeze usually does't come to TV until January so enjoy until then. I haven't seen a white fly??

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by justjim

We have good luck with planting our Christmas Pointsetta but you are correct in that they dont like frost/freeze. The good news is that the heavy frost and freeze usually does't come to TV until January so enjoy until then. I haven't seen a white fly??

Okay so I think you are referring to my specific question. You use the pointsettia as part of your Christmas decorating in the landscape. Now are they in full sun or shade/pots or in the ground/do your sprinklers hit the leaves and if so does it damage them? Thanks for your time.

[Jim 9922]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Okay so I think you are referring to my specific question. You use the pointsettia as part of your Christmas decorating in the landscape. Now are they in full sun or shade/pots or in the ground/do your sprinklers hit the leaves and if so does it damage them? Thanks for your time.

This time of the year you could leave them in full sun in pots or in a temporary bedding. But, frosts and freeze warnings seem to start in TV beginning mid-December. The plants you buy now probably have been hot-house grown so they may be more sensitive to cold. Any frost would probably kill them so you would have to bring them inside or cover them very well.
Sprinkler watering never seemed to bother our year round plants.

[cab1948]

I took a chance and purchased some plants 2weeks ago in Home Depot for $2 each. I planted them in the ground and so far so good. It was in the 30's the last few nights and they did okay. Crossing my fingers they last thru Xmas because they do look nice.