Pointsettier

[Snappers]

Well, here you are, I'm not sure if you have this flower out of the uk but over here it is a very common Christmas flower. At Christmas, the green leaves turn red and it looks very nice. This particular one is a baby pointsettier.

I was trying to blur out the background but was not too successful but I promised Susan and Garry I would upload it here for them to look at, so there you go.
:)

[Snappers]

Here is one after I had a play with it in Picassa.

[LensBaby]

Those are from your phone camera right?No you said something about the lense you were using ! They have some awesome color!!! They are beautiful. Yes we do have them here. I am excellent with flowers and plants, but for some reason I kill those. I don't know why! Thanks for the photos by the way.

[Snappers]

It's funny you should say you kill them! I first brought one a few weeks back and it proudly sat on our fire place. I tended to it's every need and within two days it was looking very sick. I thought, ah it's ok, it will survive and then it just went even worse. I took it back to the shop I had it from by this time it was just a twig and I told them I had only had it a week and look what had happened.

The shop kindly replaced the plant for me but informed me that because they are a very fragile plant (especially being a baby plant) you need to take great care with them, keeping them out of drafts , avoiding over watering etc.
Well, I have followed their guidence so far it has done ok but one leaf did drop off whilst I was moving it to take the photos!

They were not on my camera phone, these were taken using my Nikon D70s but you are right, the colour of these plants is awesome.

[gjtoth]

Here is one after I had a play with it in Picassa.

Very nice, Andy. I think I'd adjust the white balance a little brighter and move in just a tad.

I kill 'em too. My wife is a REAL pro at killing 'em!!

[LensBaby]

Now I don't feel so bad. I had someone tell me that when the leaves are all red like that, that you have to put it in a dark area for a while (such as a closet) and the leaves will turn green again. I was also told if you dont do this it will DIE. Who knows if it is true or not.

[Snappers]

No susan, that is the wrong way around. When winter is approaching, you should keep the plant in the dark for I think 16-18hrs a day, this will help the Green leaves turn red.
As far as I am aware, it will not die if you do not do this.

The pointsettier plants are very temprmental, they do not like drafts, they do not like it too hot or too cold, they do not like extreems, they do not like to sit in water, there was a website which I found a while ago which gave some good advice on them, If I can find it again, I'll post it here.

[gjtoth]

No susan, that is the wrong way around. When winter is approaching, you should keep the plant in the dark for I think 16-18hrs a day, this will help the Green leaves turn red.
As far as I am aware, it will not die if you do not do this.

The pointsettier plants are very temprmental, they do not like drafts, they do not like it too hot or too cold, they do not like extreems, they do not like to sit in water, there was a website which I found a while ago which gave some good advice on them, If I can find it again, I'll post it here.

Geeeeeez.. sounds like a buncha prima donna plants to me :D I'll stick with roses and daylilies. Ya can't kill daylilies and if you can wear a nice rose as a buttonier to church every Sunday. Then, when people realize they are REAL roses and everyone wants to sniff 'em, switch 'em for the squirty one! Great fun.... heheheheh :D

[Snappers]

Although I do not know you personally Gary, I can just imagine you doing that:D

[Snappers]

For those that are interested, here is a little more info on the pointsettiers,
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0894/ANR-0894.pdf

Also you can read the bullitin board of the The Royal Horticultural Society on the subject here
http://www.rhs.org.uk/ibb/posts.aspx?postID=13491&postRepeater1-p=1#14580


A new interesting fact I just learned....... They are poisonous

[LensBaby]

Thanks. I did know that fact, because the doctors always gave me important tips for children papers whenever they would get a vaccination, and that was on there.

[gjtoth]

Although I do not know you personally Gary, I can just imagine you doing that:D

Count on it, Andy. heheh Church is the perfect place, too. No one expects it! heheheheh Gotta love it. :D

[Snappers]

:D:D

Just remind me if we ever have a big PP forum meet up and Gary is there wearing a rose....... Dont ask to sniff it:p

[gjtoth]

:D:D

Just remind me if we ever have a big PP forum meet up and Gary is there wearing a rose....... Dont ask to sniff it:p

I will hunt ya down! You'll be the first "sniffer". :D

[Snappers]

:D:D
I have my electric hand buzzer at the ready to shake you by the hand:)