Poinsettias in bloom again
By sofs
@sofssu (23660)
December 2, 2018 8:16pm CST
Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations.. The colorful flower/ leaf bracts change colors as the temperatures drop and the nights become longer. These large shrubs grow wild in the tropics that they have to be pruned frequently to be kept in shape.
These plants are native to mexico and were introduced to the united states by Joel R Poinsett the first minister of United states to Mexico.
The leaf bracts were used to produce dies by the natives and are also considered to have some medicinal value.
Today there are over hundred cultivars of poinsettias. in different colors and even shapes.
There are various religious and traditions associations surrounding the plant. Legend has it that Maria or Pepita a poor Mexican girl desirous of giving a Christmas gift was inspired by the angels to collect weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the altar, these grew red bracts and since then became associated with Christmas.
The star shaped bract is considered to be a sign of the star that appeared in East leading the magi to Bethlehem around the birth of Jesus. The deep red color the of the bracts is associated with the sacrifice of the messiah on the cross.. this is how the flower assumed a higher religious symbolism and was not just a piece of floral decoration .
Today its a big industry, these plants are cultivated for their high commercial value.
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15 responses
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
3 Dec 18
Poinsettias are found growing wild in the forests near my hometown.
I have memories of cutting out poinsettias out of kite paper and helping with Christmas decorations at a family friend's place.
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@sofssu (23660)
•
3 Dec 18
@responsiveme True,poinsettias grow wild in the warmer climes. Hmm why make paper stuff when the real thing is there? (Thanks for the heads up on the duplicate post. i deleted the other post in time before anyone responded.)
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@responsiveme (22923)
• India
3 Dec 18
@sofssuI never asked. it was a decoration where Aunty put real poinsettias in vases and we stuck the paper made ones on the floor ...They had a huge verandah .
A take off from the traditional rangoli ,I expect
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@sofssu (23660)
•
3 Dec 18
@responsiveme oh okay.. so your used it on the floor.. Putting the leaves on the ground wouldn't; have served the purpose. they shrivel up instantly.
@allknowing (153529)
• India
4 Dec 18
I had these plants all over the garden until they just vanished without a trace -reasons not known. This Christmas candle has a few of those that grew in my garden
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@allknowing (153529)
• India
4 Dec 18
@sofssu If I remember I did notice some fungus and had dusted a fungicide. I am determined to get it back
Image of one of our poinsettias
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@sofssu (23660)
•
4 Dec 18
@allknowing The poinsettia is highly prone to pest attacks.. especially the mealy bug which sucks up the sap of the plant and slowly kills it.
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@sofssu (23660)
•
4 Dec 18
@allknowing the white powdery stuff is a mealy bug that haunts this plant.. its not a fungus.. pruning and spraying with dish soap and water helps.
Hope you get it back and enjoy it for years to come. .. pretty one in the picture.
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@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Dec 18
I put a lot of this info in my post last night.
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@sofssu (23660)
•
3 Dec 18
@celticeagle Did you? I'll take a look at your post now.
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@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
3 Dec 18
Oh my they are beautiful. Yes they are special flowers this Christmas season.
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@sofssu (23660)
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3 Dec 18
@ilocosboy They really light up the place.. I love to fill up my house with these at Christmas.
@sofssu (23660)
•
3 Dec 18
@ilocosboy yeah they do.. the day and night temperatures need to vary a bit, but longer nights does the job.
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
3 Dec 18
I think poinsettia blooms beautifully in cold season.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
4 Dec 18
They are so pretty and what a lovely story behind poinsettias. I like the pink and white ones. I've seen miniature ones in Walmart today. I have faux poinsettias for decoration in my home right now.
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@sofssu (23660)
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4 Dec 18
@oahuwriter Miniature one? I am yet to see that.. I loved a peach one I saw in a plant nursery this year.. man it was super expensive.
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@sofssu (23660)
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6 Dec 18
@oahuwriter I live on the other side of the globe we have no Lowes here.. Thanks for taking the trouble to share this information hopefully it will help someone. 
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@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
6 Dec 18
@sofssu
Try going to Lowes, they got some things really good prices like starter flowering plants for just .88 but don't know prices of fruit tree plants. Some local nurseries have local stores specials so maybe surfing with your town name and peach tree plant special for Christmas, might yield a find...good luck!
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@freelancermariagrace (29342)
• Philippines
3 Dec 18
They are beautiful. Indeed they make a beautiful Christmas decoration
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@sofssu (23660)
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4 Dec 18
@freelancermariagrace They just bring Christmas inside the home..
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@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Dec 18
That is so beautiful I just love poinsettias at Chrismas time. Today is also the first Advent of the waiting time till Christmas. I used to have a wreath with candles but I will light up the first candle by itself later. Fascinating legend.
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@sofssu (23660)
•
3 Dec 18
@RasmaSandra The best thing about poinsettias are that the last much longer after the holiday seasons.. sometimes right up to April. We used go do that too ( lighting the advent candles) .. when i was much younger.. but i guess that tradition has fallen by the way side. 
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