Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:14:24 -0500
From: nabooko
Subject: $3.00 Worth of Happiness . .
One always wants a Poinsettia at Christmas time. I am no exception. They can be found in all price ranges. Seemingly from $3.98 to fifty dollars or more depending on the size and number of blooms. Even more if you just have to have the ones with glitter and added ornamentation.
I start to think I need one just after Thanksgiving. Always thinking it might just be a wee bit early also knowing that the prices will go down very close to Christmas. But do I need to see the bright red on display in my house. Not too fond of the pinks and yellows for Christmas, but did buy one each of those last year and enjoyed them.
Generally, I do not pay more than $5.00 for a poinsettia. And depending on how much money I have, I sometimes don’t buy one. The expensive ones don’t seem to last any longer than the cheaper ones- and it depends a lot on what effort you put into tending them. They dislike hot areas- they dislike drafts and they sure don’t like to dry out completely. Most times, my plants make it to about early Jan. and then they start to look sad. I do hate to dispose of one. It makes me feel really bad- but I have learned it is a loosing battle to try and keep them alive and induce re-bloom next season.
This year, due to my lack of funds- I didn’t go looking for a poinsettia- I did need to pick up some items at the Dollar Tree in Wal-Mart shopping Center in Siler City. The moment I walking in the door, I spotted a shelf of tiny potted live poinsettias- I couldn’t believe it. Of all places to have live plants! Granted, they were not in great shape, probably from shipping, etc. Mixed in with the poinsettias were red miniature roses (most dead or dying) and another little plant with bright red blooms- looked sorta like a mini geranium. That plant is named Klanchoe coccinea.
I invested $3.00 for three plants and have been delighted with the results. Bright, bright color in my kitchen window since the first of December and they seem to still be going strong. The photos below were taken Sunday Feb 20th. The poinsettia is still in wonderful condition and the Klanchoe has a second round of blooms.
I wish every three dollars I spend would bring and equal amount of happiness . . .
N.A. Booko
click on the web-link below to see plants: