Euphorbia pulcherimma
If there is one pot plant that symbolises Christmas it is the poinsettia. In its native Mexico it grows into a large shrub or small tree, but the plant we see has been mass produced, treated with dwarfing hormones and had its environment manipulated to produce an optimum display plant.The colourful display is produced not by the flowers, but by bracts (specialised leaves) that surround the insignificant flowers. These are usually red but are also produced in pink and cream.
If we have looked after our poinsettia it will still be healthy and may even be giving a good display. But what can I do when the display is over? I don’t want to bin my plant, I hear you all say. So here are a few tips
After flowering, prune to keep the plant in a good shape and thin out the stems to encourage it to produce a few large heads. Please remember, however, that without dwarfing hormones you will never recreate that compact plant that you bought. Water sparingly and keep it cool (10-15C).
In early summer, repot into a rich compost and keep as warm and humid as possible and in good light. Do not allow the plant to wilt and also give a regular feed of liquid fertilizer.
Flower buds form when temperatures fall below 18C and the plant receives at least 14 hours of darkness a day. To produce a Christmas display, put the plant in a cupboard for 14 hours every night from early October and until the bracts start to show colour.
Here on Crete the poinsettia will grow outdoors. It does require quite a bit of water and it prefers a slightly acidic soil, but I have seen one about 3meters high on the way into Iraklion. If you want to give it a try first wean your plant away from the central heating/log fire. Choose a site with a little afternoon shade and incorporate some ericaceous compost into the planting pit. Keep well watered, with additional liquid feeds during spring and summer, and watch it grow.
PESTICIDES IN THE GARDEN.
Space does not permit an in depth article on this subject (another time maybe), but I did promise some words last month, so here goes.
Despite using chemicals myself from time to time, I only use them as a last resort and make sure that I use the safest options possible. But even I have to be careful.
In the U.K, for example, the sale and use of pesticides is strictly controlled and all products have to be approved for specific usage. A member of the public cannot buy and use a pesticide designated for professional use, and for good reason. The chemical concentration in professional products is far greater than that in similar products designated for home/amateur use. As an example, the weed killer ‘Tumbleweed’ is a product for home use and contains 120g/litre of the active ingredient, glyphosate. Professional formulations such as ‘Roundup’ however, contain 360g/litre of glyphosate and some as much as 450g/litre. Quite a difference, and very easy to overdose. Of course all the farm shops here will sell you ‘Roundup’
Pesticides also ‘lose approval’ quicker in the U.K. The picture shows some chafer bug larvae. I found these in the part of my garden designated as a vegetable plot. Lovely creatures. Not only do the adult beetles chomp through leaves and stems, but these babies munch on roots. My lettuce wouldn’t stand a chance!
A trip to the farm shop and I left with a product (’Thiodan’) and was assured that I could eat crops within 14 days of spraying.
After a quick search on the internet, however, I discovered that this product has no approval for use in the U.K. and a similar one has approval for use on ornamentals only (i.e definitely not food crops). Suffice to say it is not going anywhere near my vegetables and I have resorted to physically removing the little beasts.
I got more than 60 out of a plot no bigger than 4 square metres. I hope I got them all.
Space does not permit an in depth article on this subject (another time maybe), but I did promise some words last month, so here goes.Despite using chemicals myself from time to time, I only use them as a last resort and make sure that I use the safest options possible. But even I have to be careful.
In the U.K, for example, the sale and use of pesticides is strictly controlled and all products have to be approved for specific usage. A member of the public cannot buy and use a pesticide designated for professional use, and for good reason. The chemical concentration in professional products is far greater than that in similar products designated for home/amateur use. As an example, the weed killer ‘Tumbleweed’ is a product for home use and contains 120g/litre of the active ingredient, glyphosate. Professional formulations such as ‘Roundup’ however, contain 360g/litre of glyphosate and some as much as 450g/litre. Quite a difference, and very easy to overdose. Of course all the farm shops here will sell you ‘Roundup’
Pesticides also ‘lose approval’ quicker in the U.K. The picture shows some chafer bug larvae. I found these in the part of my garden designated as a vegetable plot. Lovely creatures. Not only do the adult beetles chomp through leaves and stems, but these babies munch on roots. My lettuce wouldn’t stand a chance!
A trip to the farm shop and I left with a product (’Thiodan’) and was assured that I could eat crops within 14 days of spraying.
After a quick search on the internet, however, I discovered that this product has no approval for use in the U.K. and a similar one has approval for use on ornamentals only (i.e definitely not food crops). Suffice to say it is not going anywhere near my vegetables and I have resorted to physically removing the little beasts.
I got more than 60 out of a plot no bigger than 4 square metres. I hope I got them all.
WILDPLANT OF THE MONTH
In this new, regular feature I am going to feature a wild plant of particular interest in the month.
The pictures are provided by ‘FloraCretica’ a local, non profit making organisation, who are dedicated to the preservation of the wild flora of Crete. Please visit their website at
http://www.floracretica.gr/. Here you can learn more about their activities, which include fieldtrips open to non members at a nominal charge to cover costs.
In this new, regular feature I am going to feature a wild plant of particular interest in the month.The pictures are provided by ‘FloraCretica’ a local, non profit making organisation, who are dedicated to the preservation of the wild flora of Crete. Please visit their website at
http://www.floracretica.gr/. Here you can learn more about their activities, which include fieldtrips open to non members at a nominal charge to cover costs.
Anemone coronaria
A tuberous rooted perennial that lives in the lowlands and sub-montane zone.
Relatively large flowers are formed 10-30cm tall in various colours (blue, violet, pink, white,red) are produced from January until April.
Remember, it is illegal to remove plants from the wild.
A tuberous rooted perennial that lives in the lowlands and sub-montane zone.Relatively large flowers are formed 10-30cm tall in various colours (blue, violet, pink, white,red) are produced from January until April.
Remember, it is illegal to remove plants from the wild.
QUERIES, QUESTIONS AND TIPS.
Have you had any success growing poinsettias outdoors? Perhaps you’ve tried cyclamen or pot mums? Why not share your experiences with other readers, visit
www.quality-gardens-crete.blogspot.com.
If you have any queries post a question on the blog site. If space doesn’t allow me to deal with your query in these articles they can be dealt with on the site.
Leave comments about the articles. My aim is to make these articles relevant to as many people as possible.
Have you had any success growing poinsettias outdoors? Perhaps you’ve tried cyclamen or pot mums? Why not share your experiences with other readers, visit
www.quality-gardens-crete.blogspot.com.
If you have any queries post a question on the blog site. If space doesn’t allow me to deal with your query in these articles they can be dealt with on the site.
Leave comments about the articles. My aim is to make these articles relevant to as many people as possible.
For more English language articles about Crete, Greece visit: www.ko-go.eu
