Poinsettias and a Few Other Things

Horticulture Hotline 12/25/17

  Bill Lamson-Scribner 

Little did Joel Poinsett know that when he brought the first Poinsettia back from Mexico that it would become the United States most popular “flowering plant”.  Joel Poinsett, a South Carolinian, was the first ambassador to Mexico.  In 1825 he introduced the Poinsettia to the United States.  These plant sales top over 70 million each year.  The dollar value is much greater.  If you ever have a chance to visit a whole sale nursery while the Poinsettia crop is being grown, it is a site you will not forget! 

How can you force the Poinsettia to “bloom” before next Christmas? I have bloom and flowering in quotes, because Poinsettias are mainly grown because of its colorful bracts, not flowers.

After Christmas in the Lowcountry, you can put the plants outdoors as long as the weather is not going to get too cold. In the early days of “The Garden Clinic”, Lowcountry radio legend Dan Moon used to boast how he kicked his Poinsettia off his back porch by his A/C and how it grew into a monster Poinsettia. Poinsettias do not like to be in direct sunlight, so place them in a protected area. Some people like the garage. Filtered light is good.

To force the bracts to change color beginning in early October, keep the plant in total darkness for 14 hours straight.  After the 14 hours of darkness, the plant must receive 6-8 hours of bright sunlight daily for 8-10 weeks.  Depending on the variety of Poinsettia you should see the bracts change color.  The easiest way to accomplish this is to place the plant in a dark room with a grow light and a timer. This way you don’t have to adjust your schedule to care for the plant.  My little secret is to support the local nurseries and buy new plants each year!

Unfortunately, this nice cool weather is bringing out the Large Patch in our turf.  Be sure to treat the areas before it goes into dormancy.  Now is also a good time to apply horticulture oil or Neem Oil for over-wintering insects. Neem oil will control certain fungi too. Winter weeds are visible now. Control them now while they are young and actively growing. Your results will be much better. 

Always read, understand and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.

Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum’s has three locations 481 Long Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant (971-9601), 3325 Business Circle in North Charleston (760-2600), or 606 Dupont Rd, in Charleston (766-1511). Bring your questions to a Possum’s location, or visit us at http://www.possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to “ The Garden Clinic”, Saturdays from noon to 1:00, on 1250 WTMA  (The Big Talker). The Horticulture Hotline is available 24 / 7 at possumsupply.com. 

The Year is Winding Down

Horticulture Hotline 12/18/2017

By Bill Lamson-Scribner

These high humidity days have really kicked in the Large Patch (Brown Patch) fungus disease. Fame or T-Methyl are 2 good systemic fungicides to apply now.

As the leaves from the trees in your yard fall, be sure to rake them up (consider composting them in your yard) or mulch them with a mower.

Look up into your trees and see if any limbs are damaged from Irma or Matthew. Those big, broken but hanging on limbs are called “widow makers” in the industry for a reason! As time passes, the torn wood that is holding the limb on loses more water making the limb more brittle and has a better chance of falling. Have you ever given a loved one “tree work” for a present? This year may be a good year to start.

If you think you might want to transplant a tree or bush in the spring, now is the time to root prune for an easy move.

Moles have been doing their Holiday shopping. Tunnels everywhere. Read last week’s article on moles at possumsupply.com under the Horticulture Hotline tab if you missed it.

Visit Charleston County Park’s Holiday Festival of Lights with friends and family. The Holiday Festival of Lights is one of the best in the Nation and always improving.

Our city, town, county, state and national parks have a lot to offer. The different plantations also provide great landscape interest with the camellias, holly berry’s, and all the other winter color.

I know at Possum's we have gift certificates for that hard to buy for person. I'm sure most other local garden centers would as well. Plenty of parking, buying local, and short lines at the register for the quick in and out would be all the reasons I would need to go that route. 

Now is a great time to test your soil and get on a Possum's Custom Program or buy a gift certificate for someone else to get on a custom program. The time is now to beat the spring rush. Prevention and protection are so important in this area.

Try some SUPERthrive to help keep your Christmas Tree fresh. One drop in a 4 ounce cup of water mixed in with the other tree stand water every 3 to 4 days is all it needs. SUPERthrive won the World’s Fair Gold Medal in 1940, so it is a good product to have around for many reasons.

Any bare areas in the lawn should be teased with cotton burr compost, so the grass will fill in. Weeds love to move in on thin turf.

Always read, understand and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.