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25/12/06, Poinsettia Buying Tips »»

Poinsettias are beautiful flowers and a Christmas tradition. Poinsettia quality is at an all time high because poinsettias can be shipped directly from the greenhouse to your house quickly to retain high quality and freshness.

These tips will help you buy the best poinsettias for your Christmas holiday season.

This picture is a nearly perfect example of a poinsettia from Bloomdepot.com.

poinsettia buying tips

Click below to buy poinsettias from Bloomdepot.com.

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Red Christmas Poinsettia

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Pink Christmas Poinsettia

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White Christmas Poinsettia

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Buy these Poinsettias:

  • Choose a poinsettia plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
  • Choose poinsettia plants with bracts (modified leaves) that are completely colored.
  • The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
  • The poinsettia plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.
  • Check the poinsettia's maturity. Check the true flowers which are located at the base of the colored bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will "hold" longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers.

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29/11/06, Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide »»

The Texas A & M University Agricultural Extension Service has produced a great resource for growing poinsettias. The information aims specifically at growing conditions in Texas but is very useful for growing poinsettias anywhere.

Topics at the Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide site include:

  • Poinsettia History
  • Poinsettia Forms and Styles
  • Poinsettia Economics and Marketing
  • Poinsettia Cultural Characteristics
  • Poinsettia Cultivars
  • Production Schedule
  • Poinsettia Height Control
  • Selecting a Poinsettia Growing Medium
  • Poinsettia Water Quality
  • Poinsettia Irrigation
  • Poinsettia Nutrition
  • Insect and Mite Management
  • Poinsettia Diseases and Control
  • Common Poinsettia Disorders
  • Conversion Tables for Growers and Gardeners
  • Additional Poinsettia References

Read more about Texas Poinsettia Producers Guide.


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29/11/06, The University of New Hampshire Poinsettia Information »»

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has conducted detailed research related to poinsettia cultivation and flowering. The research was funded by the Paul Ecke Ranch, the UNH Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Anna and Raymond Tuttle Environmental Horticulture Fund.

This research is useful to commercial growers as well as gardners and consumers caring for poinsettias.

Read more about the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Poinsettia Site.


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29/11/06, Are Poinsettias Poisonous »»

The short answer is no...but don't eat them.

Poinsettias will make people or pets ill if they are eaten.

Individuals allergic to latex might have an allergic reaction to poinsettias since the plant produces a similar substance.


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29/11/06, Poinsettia in Backyard Garden »»

The climate in Southern California is good for poinsettias with just a bit of help. If you are used to thinking of poinsettias as a small potted plant this picture might amaze you.

Poinsettias are a shrub that; as this photo proves, grow to the size of a small tree with thick trucks.

Image by Martin LaBar

Read more about Poinsettia in San Diego Area Garden.


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29/11/06, Poinsettia True Flowers »»

The top leaves of the poinsettia, known as bracts, are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch.

Image by Old Shoe Woman.

 

The photo below is a great closeup shot of the true flowers of a poinsettia plant. The poinsettia true flowers in this picture are just opening. Unopened true flowers is one important sign that the poinsettia blooms will last a long time. This is an important tip when buying poinsettias.

 

poinsettia true flowers

Image by Tzatziki.


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29/11/06, University of Florida Floriculture Poinsettia Page »»

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has great information on growing poinsettias. Commercial growers as well as gardners will find plenty of great information for growing poinsettia, poinsettia care and poinsettia reflowering.

Topics at the site include:

  • Basic Poinsettia Production Guidelines
  • Poinsettia Variety Trials
  • Poinsettia Height Control Examples
  • Poinsettia Growth Regulators
  • Poinsettia Postharvest Information
  • Poinsettia Disorders
  • Poinsettia Grower Resources

 

More information about the University of Florida Floriculture Poinsettia Page.


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2/11/06, Grower Direct vs Florist Arranged Flowers »»

Florists earn the money they make by providing you with both products and services. The flowers are their product and arranging them, storing them and delivering them are some of the services.

Growers provide you with a product, the flowers and materials to arrange them. Delivery is done by a shipping company such as FedEx. Delivering with a shipping service means a much wider coverage area for grower direct deliveries than traditional florists.

The comparison chart below should help decide which is best for you.


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2/11/06, Reasons to Buy Grower Direct Flowers »»

Grower direct flowers provide you with very fresh cut flowers at a very reasonable price.

Here are some reasons to buy grower direct flowers:

  • Grower direct flowers save you money
  • Grower direct flowers are fresher on average
  • Grower direct flowers have a wider delivery area than traditional florists

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2/11/06, Buying Florist Flowers Online »»

Buying flowers by visiting an online florist's web site is probably for you if:

  • You are pressed for time
  • You want an artistic and appropriate arrangement for the occasion
  • Online florists rank high for reliability and customer satisfaction
  • The online florist's covarage area includes the delivery address

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4/10/06, Wedding Flower Florists Tips »»

Traditional wedding ceremonies are beautiful and priceless events.

A traditional wedding is also society's way of teaching a new couple and their families how to deal with a crisis.

The right florist can prevent both emotional and financial turmoil.

Here are some more tips for finding the right wedding florist:


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2/10/06, Gardens and Home Value »»

Gardening is a fun hobby. Another good reason to garden is that it can be profitable.

A garden is a home improvement project that can be a significant investment. It is usually a good investment because it adds more value than the cost of the garden.


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1/10/06, Ikebana the Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement »»

Ikebana means "living flowers" in Japanese. Modern ikebana arrangments include cut flowers, growing flowers and interesting materials in an artistic and pleasing way.

Ikebana Arragnement

The tea ceremony, calligraphy and ikebana are the three arts in which Japanese women were traditionally schooled in preparation for marriage. Many modern people still practice this floral art form.


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1/10/06, History of Ikebana Floral Arrangement »»

Ikebana has been practiced for over 1400 years! This long history gives this floral art a richness and elegance that many people can appreciate.

ikebana flower arrangement

Until the mid 1400's the iIkebana art was restricted to royalty. During this period common people were encouraged to learn and use this style of floral arrangment.

The ikebana style of floral arrangment emphasises simplicity and use of common items. This makes it a good way to begin floral arrangment as a hobby.


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28/9/06, Zen Gardening Info »»

Zen Gardening is an ancient form of relaxation and meditation. The really cool thing is that it is the easiest way to get started in gardening!

You buy a simple zen garden with rocks and sand and tools for artfully arranging them. This will teach you principles that apply when you are ready to take the step of having live plants in a garden.

Even experienced gardeners will improve their creativity by limiting themselves to such a simple and elegant medium.

Read more about zen gardening.


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26/9/06, Union Square Greenmarket New York City »»

A great place to buy flowers in New York City is the Union Square Greenmarket. Even though most people think of fruits and vegetables, there are also a staggering variety of flowers available here.

Read more about "Union Square Greenmarket New York City."

 


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22/9/06, Protect Yourself From Flower Fraud »»

Your local florist is just a phone call away, or so you think. Some unscrupulous telemarketing firms are posing as local florists, charging you higher fees and taking business away from legitimate florists in your town.

Selling flowers through a wire service or order taking service is a legitamate way to do business. Many top growers and florists use this business model.

However, deceiving customers into thinking they are ordering from a local florist is not legitamate.


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