Poinsettias

I love poinsettias at Christmas time. I have red bushes that bloom in our front gardens from November through March. At the end of October this year, I noticed that the bush close to our front door was losing its top leaves, apparently eaten off by Oleander Caterpillars. I know this thanks to the Internet. I had to read about dozens of caterpillars, but finally recognized the ones I’ve seen on another plant. But -- After a week or so the leaves suddenly began growing back and now they’re turning red. I’m thrilled!

Also, on the front porch I have two potted plants. Well, HAD two. Now I have only one since the other died. I believe it got overwatered by the sprinkler system and rain. The other plant is doing just fine. It’s called a “desert rose” and has beautiful pink blooms from time to time. However, I doubt that the name is accurate since I know other flowers by the same name and they’re not the least bit similar.

For several weeks, the pot with no flower has been nagging me to put in something new. Finally, today, I took a new pink poinsettia plant (from a group of ten that I bought last week at Home depot for $1.49 each) and planted it. But first --- I had to empty the pot, clean it thoroughly, and then place the fresh poinsettia in it. It sounds easy, but wasn’t. The pot was mildewed inside and out from sitting in water for too long. And of course it’s heavy – a Mexican type style. With previous back difficulties I hesitated to carry it around; but since there’s not one else. . . Bottom line: so far, so good. Carting it back and forth to the kitchen sink and scrubbing hard, everything went fairly well. I’ll let you know tomorrow how the back is.

After putting rocks in the bottom for better drainage, I added the old soil, some fertilizer and the plant. It Instead of placing it in the same spot, I moved it so it wouldn’t get so much water. As I do with the other plant, which is out of sprinkler range, I’ll take care of the watering.

Now it sits to the left of the front door, enhancing the entrance, and it looks gorgeous!