STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 39
With the holidays right around the corner , many people have already started decorating their homes . Instead of heading to Walmart to grab colorful lights , ribbons , or Garland , some locals might head to Oklahoma State University and pick up a Poinsettia as a beautiful centerpiece to showcase Christmas dinner .
Poinsettias are a known plant associated with Christmas . But what exactly made those plants a symbol of one of the most cheerful holidays ? One might assume it was the bright red color of its leaves , but the history of one of the most treasured Christmas plants dates back to Mexico .
Legend has it that an angel encouraged a young girl named Maria to pick weeds from the side of the road to celebrate Jesus ’ birthday since she couldn ’ t afford a gift . From the weeds blossomed a beautiful plant with bright red leaves .
However , Poinsettia ' s introduction to the United States was based on Joel Roberts Poinsett . Poinsett , the first U . S . Ambassador to Mexico in 1828 , saw the red leaves and immediately loved their beauty . Paul Ecke helped make Poinsettias popular by discovering a technique to make the leaves fuller by causing the seedlings to branch .
Since then , the Poinsettia has been a popular plant showcased during the holiday . However , keeping the plant beautiful requires understanding how to care for the plant .
POINSETTIA CARE
Caring for these plants is relatively easy , but knowing the proper temperature is essential to create a thriving atmosphere . According to the university , do not expose your plant to chilling temperatures and cold drafts .
" If the temperature outdoors is below 50 ° F . Do not carry an unwrapped plant from the retail shop to your car ," Mike Schnelle wrote in 2017 . " In the home or other place of display , avoid cold drafts and excessive heat from heat- ing ducts , or large incandescent lamps ."
In the release , Schnelle also mentioned that maintaining temperatures between 70 ° F and 60 ° F is best for the specialized Bracht leaves , and plants should be kept away from windows to prevent injury from cold glass .
Light also plays a vital role in leaf retention . To thrive , poinsettias need to be in an area with direct sunlight or artificial light for at least six to eight hours daily .
" A minimum of 75-foot candles is desirable where possible . This would be similar to the minimum light intensity required for good desk lighting in an office ," Schnelle wrote . " Incandescent lights such as those found in most homes will give a truer , brighter bract color than most types of fluorescent light ."
The red leaves on the star-shaped plant have gained wide recognition for the season . However , over 100 varieties are available . The plant is now favored across the United States , including locally grown at Oklahoma State University .
The university has grown Poinsettias for more than 30 years . All the proceeds go to the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture teaching program . The 34th annual sale is from 8 a . m . to 5 p . m . on Dec . 5-6 at the Greenhouse Learning Center . The Greenhouse Learning Center is located at 318 N Lincoln Street .
The prices range from $ 6 for a 4.5 " pot to $ 35 for a 8 " pot . The Poinsettia is a holiday decoration that doesn ' t need to be packed up and stored away until next year . Grab a large pot and some allpurpose fertilizer , sit back , and enjoy watching it blossom .
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STORY BY : Ashlynd Huffman Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS by JESSICA MARSHALL
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 39