Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Inside Garden Tuesday: Poinsettia

Remember when my girls bought me this poinsettia?

Well, I haven't managed to kill it yet. What? Don't look at me like that. These suckers just get up one morning and decide to keel over!

Anyway, I was delighted to note that the new petals on my blue plant are coming in white! Actually, I'm relieved to note that some smart person figured out how to dye the leaves, and no one is yet genetically engineering the plants to have an unnatural leaf color.

The red parts are regenerating, too, although they're sporting a much paler shade of red. My dearly beloved is grumbling that this fool thing is going to live on our counter forever. No, sweetie, it will just get up one morning soon and decide to keel over. I promise.

17 comments:

SissySees said...

If you were closer, I'd say have your beloved drop 'em off with MJ. She loves poinsettias and keeps them alive for unbelievable lengths of time...

Mickle in NZ said...

My dear Mother planted the one I bought for Xmas 08 outside. It was doing really well until they hastily needed to plant those runner beans gifted from a neighbour ..... despite their dry conditions the bean plants thrive therefore the bathroom window is still blocked from light - and the poinsettia is struggling, if not swearing in a plant style manner..

Huggles from Michelle, almost silent sleeping from Zeb!!!

George Gaston said...

Marjie, as a "serial killer" of anything that grows ~ I salute you! I once had a poinsettia that lived until mid-summer. I need decided to plant it outdoors. After a month or so it passed away one sunny August morning.

I just say, a poinsettia must have a short life span.

buffalodick said...

They can last a long time(sometimes!)

pam said...

I'm impressed! I've never managed to keep a poinsettia alive.

Pam said...

I never get poinsettia's because my cats would eat them and I worry my son would nibble them. Congrats on keeping it alive!

Your chicken down below sounds comforting and delicious.

Paula said...

After it's initial turning red, mine only ever grew green leaves. All year round. *sigh*

Anette said...

I've got two from last Christmas, a bit thinner built but still alive! Not to bad for me, since I tend to kill anything that need water regularly!

gMarie said...

I knew somebody who used to actually grow them to sell during the season. apparently you have to keep them in the dark over the summer - if they haven't just keeled over before then.

I don't have them because, like you, I tend to kill things that don't remind me to feed them. That's why dogs and people are good - they get vocal when hungry! g

Barbara said...

You must really love poinsettias! I decided a couple years ago I didn't like them anymore (besides I killed them with great regularity) and now I am on am amaryllis kick. They seem to like me better!

The Blonde Duck said...

I can kill a plant in five minutes. Just by looking at it. Invite me over, I'll fix it.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I threw mine out yesterday. After over 18 years of trying to grow the little suckers, they keep you teeterting until about October, I decided it's cheaper to buy another one next year.

You are right!

Breezy Point Mom said...

Marjie, we here in Florida plant the pionsettias in a shady spot in our yard when they start to fade. If all goes well, they will stay green all year and then turn red again next Christmas!

Lapdog Creations said...

Pretty!

Unknown said...

Wow - how unusual! I have never seen poinsettias in that colour - gorgeous!

noble pig said...

Good for you, I killed mine the first week.

Sue said...

I kept one going for ten years. I'd plant it in the yard in the summer, then dig it up in the fall and stick in it the basement. After about the third year it started flowering again.