Fanshawe's horticultural students have turned out a bright and healthy crop of poinsettias for this year's annual Christmastime sale in the Spriet Family Greenhouse (N Building).

“They came in early August,” said Jeff Rowley, a horticultural technician in the greenhouse. “About 1,100 of them and the students have taken care of them and grown them to the point where we can sell them now.”

Poinsettias, a popular Christmas purchase, are recognizable for their green base leaves surrounding a cluster of either red or white leaves near the top of the plant. But contrary to popular belief, the red leaves are just that, leaves; not flowers, and the colour is gained by limiting the amount of sunlight the plant is exposed to.

“They need a blackout,” explained Rowley. “They need more darkness than sunshine for 40 to 60 days, and that causes them to change colour.”

The most popular Poinsettia is the Prestige Red variety, which are known for their vibrant colour and contrast. The sale runs daily from noon until 5 p.m. until December 21, and the poinsettias start at $10 for a six-inch pot. The money raised from the sales will go back into the horticultural program.