Poinsettias ready for the season

It's that time of year again. The cold weather has arrived sooner than most may have expected and that red and green season is just around the corner.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, everyone is thinking just what that perfect, special gift to that special someone should be.

With many different items to choose from, it might be tough to decide what works for each person on your list.

Fanshawe College Horticultural Technician students have been working extensively growing poinsettia plants; making it the ideal gift for just about everyone.

According to Jeff Rowley, a Horticultural Technician at Fanshawe College, the plants started to be planted by the Horticultural students on July 29.

The students have participated in growing Poinsettias for several years, with attempts to sell their final product to staff, students and the community.

“The students have been growing poinsettias for a few years now. It is a great learning experience for the students and professors so they can better teach the students at growing the plant,” said John Morrison, a second year Horticultural Technician student.

If professors teach using the same plant annually, it will help them perfect their teaching techniques, therefore making it a more valuable experience for the student.

“We need a specific plant so students can learn,” said Rowley. “The poinsettia is the biggest money making plant.”

The Horticultural Technician students agree that growing the plants has been a “great learning experience.”

The plants come in a variety of colours to choose from and any order can be custom made for any unique taste.

Poinsettias are pesticide free and make for beautiful arrangements.

This year the plant sale will begin Monday, November 17, 2008 at the Greenhouse (Building N), which is open Monday to Thursday from 9-5 pm and on Friday from 9-6 pm. Saturday and Sunday the sale will be held from 12-5 pm.

Also, there will be a special sale of the plants on Friday, November 14, 2008 from 12-3 pm in front of the college bookstore.

Currently there are approximately 1,100 plants available for sale. The Horticultural students and staff are kind and donate some of the plants to long-term care facilities and Habitat for Humanity.

“The poinsettia plants originate from Mexico where they grow to be approximately 10 feet in height,” explained Morrison.

A note on how the poinsettia plant should be cared for, thanks to the Horticultural Technician students:

Poinsettias are a tropical plant, and don't enjoy the cold winter climate. Avoid placing it near drafts, cold windowsills, or excess heat.

They like indirect light and moderately moist soil, and can dry out a little between watering.

Temperatures between 60° F and 70° F are best for each plant. And be careful, because they are fragile and don't like to be handled too often. They cannot tolerate freezing temperatures even for short periods of time.