Homegrown: Holiday houseplants

Linn County Master Gardener, Lisa Slattery, sent the following timely tips about holiday houseplants:

It's the season of giving and many of us give and receive holiday houseplants.  These include the poinsettia, Christmas cactus and amaryllis.  These plants can cause a real dilemma for some of us…enjoy them for a few weeks, then compost OR keep them and try to get them to bloom again.  The Christmas cactus is easy to grow and can be kept for many years.  Others are best discarded.  But if you must…

Poinsettia:  If you're up for a challenge cut the stems back to 4 to 6 inches above the soil when new side shoots develop or when the bracts fade in March.  When new growth appears, place the poinsettia in a sunny window with temperatures of 65 to 75ºF. Water when soil is dry to the touch and fertilize every 2 weeks with a houseplant fertilizer.  In May move the poinsettia outdoors.  Once acclimated to the outdoors, place in a sunny area with 4 to 6 hours of sunlight.  Pinch shoot tips once or twice from late June to mid-August.  Bring the poinsettia inside mid-September.  Place in a sunny window.  Provide complete darkness from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 am daily from early October until the bracts develop good color in mid-December.  Protect the plant from light by placing it in a closet or by covering with a box. During the remainder of the day, the poinsettia should be in a sunny window.

Holiday Cactus:  After flowering, place plant in a cool area (60ºF to 65ºF) and water sparingly until spring.  Water the plants more frequently during their active growth period from spring through summer. Also, fertilize holiday cacti about once a month during the growing season.  In the fall, place plants in a cool location (60ºF to 65°F) that receives only natural daylight.  Flowering should occur naturally with plants blooming sometime between late October and January.

Amaryllis:  It's possible to get the bulb to bloom yearly.  After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stalk.  Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.  Don't cut the foliage.  Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil is dry.  Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a houseplant fertilizer.  Move the amaryllis outdoors in late May.  Once acclimated, place in partial to full sun and continue to water during dry weather.  Fertilize once or twice a month through July.  Bring indoors in mid-to late September and induce dormancy.  Place the amaryllis in a cool, semi-dark place and stop watering.  Cut off the foliage when it turns brown.  Place in a dry location with a temp of 45ºF to 55°F and allow the bulb to rest for 2 to 3 months.  Periodically check the bulbs for signs of new growth.  When a bud or foliage appears, place the amaryllis in a warm, bright location and water to start the growth cycle again.  Good luck and Happy Holidays!