Because we live in Southern California, many poinsettias grow happily in our back yards and on our windowsills.
Sure, you can use a greenhouse to grow poinsettias and get them to bloom on cue, but you don’t have to.
Although these winter bloomers are native to Mexico, California has the next-best growing environment.
Armstrong Nursery has a huge poinsettia program in San Juan Capistrano. � Even though I’m a fan of white poinsettias, I actually got to name a speckled beauty a few years ago – “Country Quilt” – that is still for sale today.
Armstrong also propagates a supersize poinsettia named “Estate” – larger than a small child and appropriate for oversize rooms.
Orange poinsettias are creeping into Armstrong’s offerings too, including its bright “Orange Spice” as well as selections with orange overtones that lean toward peach.
Orange Coast College has a thriving poinsettia program that funds the horticulture department, where students learn propagation techniques. Believe it when I say they are sold out.
“This is our 34th year growing poinsettias,” said horticulture instructor Joe Stead. “Our presales are tremendous. And after the two days we open for actual poinsettia sales in early December, they are gone. “
Stead encourages gardeners to plant their poinsettias in the landscape. “Don’t throw them away,” he said. “Plus they make great cut flowers from plants growing outside.”
You might be familiar with Paul Ecke poinsettias. This family of growers put poinsettias on the map in the 1920s and is just down the road in Escondido. Ecke is the world’s largest supplier of this, the most popular potted plant of all.
You may also know that the red “petals” aren’t really flowers, but colored leaves called bracts. The flowers are the tiny yellow buds you see in the center.
But here are some more things you may or may not know about these plants:
•Poinsettias “bloom” when the days grow short. Winter blooming habits and a red and green color make them a perfect holiday plant.
•Even though you can get a range of colors and bract markings, red remains the favorite color of most buyers.
•Poinsettias tolerate being sprayed with horticulture-friendly paint and glitter.
•Despite what you’ve heard, poinsettias are not poisonous, although the sap can cause skin irritation.
Contact the writer: cmcnatt@ocregister.com or 714-796-5023
