What’s The Best Kind Of Dog To Get For The Holidays?… A Pointsetter!
I have found a reason to be grateful that the days are so much shorter as of late and that is because it’s been so cold that I am happy to head indoors as the sun starts to disappear. This last week was even so cold in the greenhouse that most of the remaining plants have suffered frost bite and so now they too have been removed. Very little left to do both in the yard and the greenhouse and with a warmer week that has been forecast it will be no problem to finish. This slightly warmer weather will also make it much more pleasant for the little Trick or Treaters and their parents. This year I’ve even succeeded in a couple of items on my wish list in the yard so far I’m happy. I am heading out to Alberta when all here is done and I was told today that they have snow on the ground so I will be sure to pack my long thermals. The full moon was spectacular last week! As usual my dog needing to go out around 3 A.M. allowed me to see it, and at first I thought that some lights had been left on but no it was the moon shining brilliantly in the sky. Too bad it was so cold I didn’t stay out to appreciate it for long. I’ve noticed that the leaves on my fruit trees have not changed colour at all so far. I hope this won’t be an issue for them as they barely survived last winter and fruit production was nil and from what I hear that was the same for many people
Every year I purchase a new Poinsettia and although I try to keep it alive It’s usually dead by June. I’ve tried both in the house and the greenhouse with no. luck. Many people are more fortunate enough to keep the same plant for years and as they can grow to 3 meters in height and I have seen them in Thailand this tall, this only becomes a problem when you think of where you’re going to keep it should you be that successful. The Poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America and was believed to be a symbol of purity by the Aztecs. Newer varieties now come in a wide range of colours and over 65 million of them are sold annually in the US alone, obviously many of us cannot keep them alive each year. They have become a huge Christmas decoration in the home and to encourage them to flower for the Christmas season they should be put in a dark place for 14 hours a day with a 6 hour period of indirect sunlight. Continue to water and fertilize but do not over water them as they can develop fungal problems if their feet are kept too wet.
The Poinsettia has a white latex like sap that is not good for cats, dogs or humans causing nausea, cramps and vomiting however a great amount of the plant would have to be consumed to cause any significant problem.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
