Poinsettia BY LOIS HOLE Long ago, on Christmas Eve in Mexico, a sad little girl named Pepita was on her way to church. She was unhappy because she was 50 poor that she had no gift to offer to the Christ Child, but as she walked along the road, she saw some. preity weeds growing in the ditch. Pepita picked a big burch of these weeds, thinking that a hum- ble bouquet would be better than nothing. - - When she reached the church and, approached the alter, a miracle happened: the weeds blossomed into beautiful red ‘flowers! Soa the legend goes onthe origin of Flores’ de Noche Buena — Flowers of the Holy. Night — which are better known in North America as poinsettias. ‘The poinsettia was iiamed for Joe] Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico in 1825, who brought these plants to the United States on one of his trips home. For the next . hundred years, in North America poinset- tias were grown, mainly in the southern states as outdoor landscape. plants. a Mass-production' of potted plants specifically for indoor use did not begin until the 1920's, mainly because poinsettias were such temperamental ‘plants - to raise, ; Since then, -an incredible amount of time and--money has been devoted to breeding poinset- tias that are strong and sturdy as well as beautiful, and less fussy about greenhouse growing condi- tions. Despite. the fact that these plants are still one of the most difficult, and labour-intensive greenhouse crops to raise, . they have become the number-one potted plant grown in the United States. Most of the poinsettias sold in Canada originate from that coun- try. Once poinsettias reach maturity, however, they are one of the easiest plants to care for In your homies. fe ses ore need Because of this, and. also the fact that they bloom for months, Jonger than most flowering in- door plants, in Europe poinsettias are considered to be simply at- tractive houseplants rather than heralds of the Christmas season. The botanical name for poinset- lias ins Eurphorbia pulcher- rimum. The species name ‘“‘pulcherrimum’’ means ‘‘very beawtiful’’, indicating how this plant differs from over 300 other types of Euphorbia. What is commonly referred to as the poinscttias’s flowers are actually coloured leaves — bracts, in horticultural terms. The real flower is quite insignificant; it is the tiny yellow protrusion {the cyathia) as the centre of the coloured bracts, Most often, this flower goes through its entire blooming season without anyone really noticing it. To keep your poinsettia plants in top.shape for the longest time, provide them with as much light as possible, avoid warm, cool or drafty locations, and water thoroughly whenever the soil sur- face becomes dry, usually about twice a week. With this treat- ment, your poinsettias are likely to continue blooming well into spring. Leis Hole & her family own and operate Holes Greenhouses and Gardens Ltd. in St. Albert, & Al- berta. FLU ALERT. Facts ' influenza is a serious respiratory illness » high risk Individuals should receive an influenza shot each fall * if you have a chronic lung or heart condition, or if you are 65 or older, you are at high risk most people have no side effacts from the vaccine anyone can get Influenza ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR HEALTH UNIT . THE + LUNG ASSOCIATION ® B4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 28, 1994 a STANDING RIB ROAST Previously frozen. LIMIT OF 2. BIG SLICE Pepperoni, Hawaiian or Gourmet, ws SLICED SIDE BACON Breakfast Delight. 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