Non-Poisonous Poinsettia and Holiday Trivia (November E-News)

November 2010

Non-Poisonous Poinsettias and Holiday Trivia

Greetings!

My life has taken such odd twists and turns that sometimes I believe it wouldn't even make the bestseller list- it's too bizarre. I recently had an interesting experience that really brought the meaning of the holidays home for me.

An old friend whom I hadn't heard from in about 30 years contacted me. During the course of one Friday evening, we spent over five hours on the phone, laughing, talking and reminiscing about "the good old days." Through all of the memories that our conversation brought back, I was reminded how very dear and precious friends are in our lives, especially ones that know you well. History and traditions are what the holdiays are all about for me.

You can't get much more traditional, horticulturally, than the gift of a poinsettia for the holidays. But in all the years, if I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times. "I can't have a poinsettia. I have a ____ (insert your own noun here- child, cat, dog, rabbit, etc) and the poinsettias are poisonous." It's long been a topic of conversation in our house, especially around the holidays. And especially when Vic eats a few bracts in front of a customer. I think he does it for the shock value, but he hasn't keeled over yet, so I believe they are truly safe. So I am once again on a mission to dispel the poisonous poinsettia myth once and for all!

As many of you know from my previous newsletters, I also have a fascination for trivia. I even have a Christmas Trivia game we play each year. When I did my research for this newsletter, I found some fun, new, horticulturally centered ones that I'd like to share just for fun. For instance, did you know that the state flower of Oklahoma is as tied to Christmas as Santa Claus is? And there was a marketing effort that began in 1939 as a way for a company to save money that has become a much beloved Christmas classic? Truly. Would I lie to you? Even then, folks were looking for ways to make the holiday merry and bright... on a budget. If you don't believe me, read on for useful holiday information and something fun!

The Non-Poisonous Poinsettia
Snowy Poinsettia

Poinsettia Weekend is coming up from November 26-28th and nothing screams "Christmas" like a poinsettia. Decades of hybridization have produced the wonderful variety of colors which characterize the poinsettia today and there's one for practically every home decor.

Brought to this country in 1825 from Mexico, by Ambassador Joel Poinsett, the poinsettia was originally a Mexican wildflower. The star like shape is supposed to be a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem.

A Mexican legend tells of a poor girl who picked some poinsettias along the roadside because she had no other gift to offer the Virgin Mary. When she placed them before the Virgin's statue, they burst into brilliant red blooms.

The common misconception about poinsettias is that they are poisonous and therefore should not be around pets or children. Fortunately, this simply isn't true. The national information center for poision control centers, POISINDEX, says that a child would have to ingest 500-600 poinsettia leaves to exceed the experimental doses in which no toxicity was found.

Although it is a non-food product and not intended for consumption, it is absolutely NOT poisonous. So purchase your plants with the peace of mind knowing that neither small children or animals will be harmed by this lovely holiday decoration. However, some holiday plants such as mistletoe, are poisonous and should be avoided if there are small children or pets around.

Purchasing the Perfect Poinsettia

Choose a plant that is healthy looking and does not show any signs of insects or disease. Check to see if the flowers are still on the plant. The poinsettia flowers are the golden yellow clusters at the center (cyathia), not the brilliant red leaves, commonly called bracts.

When taking your plant home, be sure it is sleeved or covered and protected in some way. Cold temperatures, even for a very short time, will harm this tropical plant. Plants purchased from mass retailers may have been in their sleeves for quite some time and therefore, after opening, the bottom leaves may yellow and drop off. Locally grown plants from a reputable source are always a better bet.

After arriving home, take your plant out of its sleeve. Always remove the poinsettias from the bottom of the wrapping, pulling downward, so as not to break the bracts and branches. Place your plant in a spot that will give it bright natural light, but do not expose it to direct sunlight, especially in a south facing window. Do not put it near a heat source such as a radiator, on top of a television set, near drafts or ventilation ducts.

Let your plant dry slightly between waterings. Plants are like people- neither like wet feet, so don't let your plant stand in a saucer of water between waterings. When watering, do so until the water runs through the bottom of the pot, then wait to water again until the soil feels dry to the touch, or the plant looks droopy.

What's Growing On At Four Seasons &

"Just for Fun" Holiday Trivia

Poinsettias- Are bright blooming and ready to go! Check out our Ice Punch- new last year and an instant hit!

Cut Trees, Live Trees, Wreaths and Roping- are arriving daily and are ready to deck your halls and walls. Everyone knows that it all begins with the perfect tree!

Now, "Just for Fun" Holiday Trivia!

Read through the questions, give them your best guess, then click here to take you to the answers on our website! While you're there, be sure to check out our new holiday classes and events!

1. Is there a National Christmas Tree? Where is it?

2. What holiday plant was so sacred to early Britons to the point that it had to be cut with a golden sickle?

3. What were used at the original Christmas decorations, even before greens or trees?

4. What Christmas plant was chosen as Oklahoma's state flower in 1893?

5. Are holly berries poisonous?

6. What country was the first to make artificial Christmas trees?

7. What was one of the biggest marketing ideas of all time, that turned into a much beloved holiday tradition?

8. What common treat for toddlers was originally a Christmas decoration?

9. What American state was the first to make Christmas an official holiday?

10. Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in what year?

And finally...

With the holiday season right around the corner, I challenge you to take a few extra moments this year and contact someone whom you haven't heard from in years. Perhaps it's someone you've lost touch with but thought of often. Perhaps it will be someone you just aren't in contact with as much as you would like or should be. Perhaps it's someone who is now lonely. Do it today. You won't regret it. Pass on the gift that a kind lady gave to me this holiday season- the gift of a dear friendship renewed. Oh, and how did my reunion with my friend turn out? Ask me when you visit the garden center and I'll share a very sweet story with you that's sure to put a holiday smile on your face!

After many years of cooking and turnpike holidays, we now celebrate Thanksgiving quietly and in the very finest Vanik family tradition, with waaaayyyy tooooo much food. We eat, then lay on the floor and moan and groan. Then we eat some more, then lay on the floor and moan and groan. Then we eat and.... well, you get the picture.

A word of caution too -Christopher is taking his driver's license test this week, so if you're planning to go "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house"- well, you might want to plan a detour! We have a great deal to be thankful for this year. Our Four Seasons Family wishes you and your family a very "full" Thanksgiving!

Gail w/Point