OK. So your friend has given you a gorgeous poinsettia plant for Christmas. Now what?
In Mexico, the poinsettia is pretty much a weed. Really. In the rest of the world, nearly 100 million of them are sold every year for the Holidays, in spite of the fact that 60% of the public incorrectly believes them to be poisonous! More on that later.
Poinsettias don’t really like temperatures below 50 degrees, so generally, if you’re comfortable, your poinsettia will be as well. They also don’t like drafts or cold winds. The brighter the room, the better – they like it light. Water them just when they go dry and use room temperature or slightly warm water. For poinsettia, it’s better than cold, right out of the tap.
Poinsettias will start to drop their leaves in February and will then go dormant for a period of time. You can reduce watering then and as soon as frost is not a threat, you can move the pot outdoors. Prune them back by about 50%, transplant to a larger pot and resume regular watering. When you see new growth starting, you can feed them with a good organic fertilizer or even Miracle-Gro.
Getting them to bloom again can be a challenge. The Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California advises us that from late September, poinsettias require 14 hours of complete darkness (not even light from a light bulb!) for several weeks to trigger blooming. Any deviation from that requirement will prevent reblooming. Rather a pain.
Are they poisonous? No. Not at all. Not even a little. Television gardeners have taken to eating leaves on their shows to prove it. No part of this plant is poisonous. No amount of leaves fed into lab animals was able to produce a toxic reaction. In short, the poinsettia – everyone’s favorite Holiday plant, has gotten a bum rap for years. No deaths from this plant have ever been reported.
Research studies at Ohio State University have proven that poinsettias present no health hazard. Do we still want to let little Billy munch on them or let Fluffy or Fido graze on them? Probably not.
Lewis Carroll, in his classic “Alice in Wonderland” made the correct statement, “If you drink enough from a bottle marked “Poison”, it’s bound to disagree with you sooner or later.” While poinsettia is not poisonous, best to keep pets and little people away from them anyway.
There are, however, a number of other Holiday plants that pose a greater risk factor.
Holly – Holly is an excellent garden plant that prefers protection from the hottest sun. Male and female plants of the English varieties are needed to get berries. Some varieties of other species set berries reliably without cross-pollination. Hollies generally do well if the soil is amended when they are planted and aren’t stressed by drought.
Holly is considered to be moderately to severely toxic, both to pets and to humans. Eating 1 or 2 berries won’t really hurt you, unless you’re a puppy, kitten or very small child. More than 2 berries can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Poison Control tells us that 20 berries can actually kill a child.
Ivy – Ivy is being used more and more for winter greenery and as filler in winter decorative arrangements. Ivy can be grown into wreaths, cones or other topiary shapes with relative ease. It makes a great indoor plant if it is washed off periodically to prevent spider mites. It is hardy in our climate and can be kept outside as well. Ivy can be very invasive in the garden, so keep yours in pots.
The leaves and berries of ivy are extremely toxic and the symptoms are very unpleasant.
Jequirity Bean (also known as Indian prayer bean or rosary peas) – You will find Jequirity Beans in many dry arrangements. They are quite striking in appearance, with their black tipped and scarlet coloration. Beware though, they can be deadly! They can be swallowed whole, but can be life threatening if they are chewed prior to swallowing. Vomiting and abdominal pain occurs within a few hours of swallowing, followed by some other exceedingly unpleasant symptoms.
Jerusalem Cherry – Every part of this plant contains toxic substances. Eating the fruit or foliage can adversely affect the heart as well as cause vomiting, skin redness, drowsiness or restlessness and hallucinations. Seizures are possible, but thankfully, rare.
Mistletoe – Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows entirely on other plants but also goes through photosynthesis to create food for itself on it’s own. The species of mistletoe we see most often in our region is of the genus Phoradendron, and it’s found on sycamore, oak, poplar, willow, ash, walnut, persimmon and birch trees. It can be quite a nuisance if you have livestock. It has been my experience that sheep or goats and mistletoe don’t make a good match. Birds, however, love the berries and spread them from tree to tree in their droppings.
Mistletoe is considered to be fairly toxic to both pets and humans alike, although the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences refutes this. “That doesn’t mean mistletoe berries are edible,” says J. Robert Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture. Mistletoe should be hung out of reach of children and pets and berries that drop off should be removed from the floor immediately. A quick solution to that would be to place your mistletoe in a net bag or net wrap so that you don’t miss any.
Pyracantha – You could eat large numbers of these berries before getting a stomachache. Why anyone would want to is anybody’s guess. I’d avoid them. Like the poinsettia, experts consider this plant safe.
Amaryllis, Narcissus and other lily plants – When your amaryllis is done blooming in the house, you can plant that bulb in your garden in partial shade or early morning sun, in average soil. They will then bloom for years to come in the early summer. Watch out for slugs and snails, who love to devour amaryllis! It is possible to get them to bloom for future Christmases by forcing them into dormancy in the late summer by withholding water. This doesn’t always work, however.
The fragrance of narcissus and their related varieties is powerfully sweet. This bulb multiplies very freely outdoors. If yours came in a growing kit, keep watering the pot they are in until they finish blooming. The brighter the light you keep them in, the less floppy the leaves will be. After the Holidays, plant them in the ground. They’ll multiply freely in the sun or light shade and will increase for years.
A favorite of those plant bulb kits, these are popular gifts at this time of the year. Pet owners should be aware that these plants are toxic to pets, sometimes with severe symptoms. These would include gastrointestinal issues, heart problems, tremors and even convulsions. Poison Control classifies narcissus bulbs as “causing major toxicity.”
Azaleas (Rhododendron species) – Azaleas found in the nurseries and grocery stores at this time of the year are a little tender in our climate and might be damaged in freezing weather, unlike their hardier garden relatives. Typically, they are grown in soil with a large amount of peat moss, which makes it challenging to water them correctly. They are also usually incredibly root bound. It’s generally best to set them in a bowl to catch the water and help the plant keep itself hydrated. If you’re going to plant these in the garden, amend the soil heavily with a mix that is specifically for acid loving plants. Separate the roots well when planting to reduce that root bound condition. Water very carefully as you go into the warmer months and make sure to water the root ball very thoroughly about twice each week.
Azaleas are poisonous, no doubt about it. “Major toxicity,” were the words used by the representative at Poison Control. The foliage can also cause a rather unpleasant rash.
Yew – The leaves, seeds, bark and twigs of this evergreen can be toxic, causing breathing difficulties, uncontrollable trembling and vomiting.
Evergreen and/or Christmas trees – Evergreens are considered mildly toxic. Oils in evergreens can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing drooling or vomiting. Tree needles are not easily digested either and can cause vomiting, obstruction or puncture. Generally, the amount of trouble depends on how much is consumed. Many times, pets don’t consume mass quantities of tree materials. I have yet to witness a toddler gnawing on a Christmas tree, so I think we’re pretty safe in that area.
If a child or pet accidentally ingests these plants, consult a physician or veterinarian immediately. Do no induce vomiting without the advice of a doctor. If a plant containing corrosive juices has been eaten, vomiting can damage the digestive tract. The good folks at the Poison Control Center are there to help you if you need them at 1-800-222-1222.
In Mexico, the poinsettia is pretty much a weed. Really. In the rest of the world, nearly 100 million of them are sold every year for the Holidays, in spite of the fact that 60% of the public incorrectly believes them to be poisonous! More on that later.
Poinsettias don’t really like temperatures below 50 degrees, so generally, if you’re comfortable, your poinsettia will be as well. They also don’t like drafts or cold winds. The brighter the room, the better – they like it light. Water them just when they go dry and use room temperature or slightly warm water. For poinsettia, it’s better than cold, right out of the tap.
Poinsettias will start to drop their leaves in February and will then go dormant for a period of time. You can reduce watering then and as soon as frost is not a threat, you can move the pot outdoors. Prune them back by about 50%, transplant to a larger pot and resume regular watering. When you see new growth starting, you can feed them with a good organic fertilizer or even Miracle-Gro.
Getting them to bloom again can be a challenge. The Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California advises us that from late September, poinsettias require 14 hours of complete darkness (not even light from a light bulb!) for several weeks to trigger blooming. Any deviation from that requirement will prevent reblooming. Rather a pain.
Are they poisonous? No. Not at all. Not even a little. Television gardeners have taken to eating leaves on their shows to prove it. No part of this plant is poisonous. No amount of leaves fed into lab animals was able to produce a toxic reaction. In short, the poinsettia – everyone’s favorite Holiday plant, has gotten a bum rap for years. No deaths from this plant have ever been reported.
Research studies at Ohio State University have proven that poinsettias present no health hazard. Do we still want to let little Billy munch on them or let Fluffy or Fido graze on them? Probably not.
Lewis Carroll, in his classic “Alice in Wonderland” made the correct statement, “If you drink enough from a bottle marked “Poison”, it’s bound to disagree with you sooner or later.” While poinsettia is not poisonous, best to keep pets and little people away from them anyway.
There are, however, a number of other Holiday plants that pose a greater risk factor.
Holly – Holly is an excellent garden plant that prefers protection from the hottest sun. Male and female plants of the English varieties are needed to get berries. Some varieties of other species set berries reliably without cross-pollination. Hollies generally do well if the soil is amended when they are planted and aren’t stressed by drought.
Holly is considered to be moderately to severely toxic, both to pets and to humans. Eating 1 or 2 berries won’t really hurt you, unless you’re a puppy, kitten or very small child. More than 2 berries can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Poison Control tells us that 20 berries can actually kill a child.
Ivy – Ivy is being used more and more for winter greenery and as filler in winter decorative arrangements. Ivy can be grown into wreaths, cones or other topiary shapes with relative ease. It makes a great indoor plant if it is washed off periodically to prevent spider mites. It is hardy in our climate and can be kept outside as well. Ivy can be very invasive in the garden, so keep yours in pots.
The leaves and berries of ivy are extremely toxic and the symptoms are very unpleasant.
Jequirity Bean (also known as Indian prayer bean or rosary peas) – You will find Jequirity Beans in many dry arrangements. They are quite striking in appearance, with their black tipped and scarlet coloration. Beware though, they can be deadly! They can be swallowed whole, but can be life threatening if they are chewed prior to swallowing. Vomiting and abdominal pain occurs within a few hours of swallowing, followed by some other exceedingly unpleasant symptoms.
Jerusalem Cherry – Every part of this plant contains toxic substances. Eating the fruit or foliage can adversely affect the heart as well as cause vomiting, skin redness, drowsiness or restlessness and hallucinations. Seizures are possible, but thankfully, rare.
Mistletoe – Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows entirely on other plants but also goes through photosynthesis to create food for itself on it’s own. The species of mistletoe we see most often in our region is of the genus Phoradendron, and it’s found on sycamore, oak, poplar, willow, ash, walnut, persimmon and birch trees. It can be quite a nuisance if you have livestock. It has been my experience that sheep or goats and mistletoe don’t make a good match. Birds, however, love the berries and spread them from tree to tree in their droppings.
Mistletoe is considered to be fairly toxic to both pets and humans alike, although the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences refutes this. “That doesn’t mean mistletoe berries are edible,” says J. Robert Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture. Mistletoe should be hung out of reach of children and pets and berries that drop off should be removed from the floor immediately. A quick solution to that would be to place your mistletoe in a net bag or net wrap so that you don’t miss any.
Pyracantha – You could eat large numbers of these berries before getting a stomachache. Why anyone would want to is anybody’s guess. I’d avoid them. Like the poinsettia, experts consider this plant safe.
Amaryllis, Narcissus and other lily plants – When your amaryllis is done blooming in the house, you can plant that bulb in your garden in partial shade or early morning sun, in average soil. They will then bloom for years to come in the early summer. Watch out for slugs and snails, who love to devour amaryllis! It is possible to get them to bloom for future Christmases by forcing them into dormancy in the late summer by withholding water. This doesn’t always work, however.
The fragrance of narcissus and their related varieties is powerfully sweet. This bulb multiplies very freely outdoors. If yours came in a growing kit, keep watering the pot they are in until they finish blooming. The brighter the light you keep them in, the less floppy the leaves will be. After the Holidays, plant them in the ground. They’ll multiply freely in the sun or light shade and will increase for years.
A favorite of those plant bulb kits, these are popular gifts at this time of the year. Pet owners should be aware that these plants are toxic to pets, sometimes with severe symptoms. These would include gastrointestinal issues, heart problems, tremors and even convulsions. Poison Control classifies narcissus bulbs as “causing major toxicity.”
Azaleas (Rhododendron species) – Azaleas found in the nurseries and grocery stores at this time of the year are a little tender in our climate and might be damaged in freezing weather, unlike their hardier garden relatives. Typically, they are grown in soil with a large amount of peat moss, which makes it challenging to water them correctly. They are also usually incredibly root bound. It’s generally best to set them in a bowl to catch the water and help the plant keep itself hydrated. If you’re going to plant these in the garden, amend the soil heavily with a mix that is specifically for acid loving plants. Separate the roots well when planting to reduce that root bound condition. Water very carefully as you go into the warmer months and make sure to water the root ball very thoroughly about twice each week.
Azaleas are poisonous, no doubt about it. “Major toxicity,” were the words used by the representative at Poison Control. The foliage can also cause a rather unpleasant rash.
Yew – The leaves, seeds, bark and twigs of this evergreen can be toxic, causing breathing difficulties, uncontrollable trembling and vomiting.
Evergreen and/or Christmas trees – Evergreens are considered mildly toxic. Oils in evergreens can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing drooling or vomiting. Tree needles are not easily digested either and can cause vomiting, obstruction or puncture. Generally, the amount of trouble depends on how much is consumed. Many times, pets don’t consume mass quantities of tree materials. I have yet to witness a toddler gnawing on a Christmas tree, so I think we’re pretty safe in that area.
If a child or pet accidentally ingests these plants, consult a physician or veterinarian immediately. Do no induce vomiting without the advice of a doctor. If a plant containing corrosive juices has been eaten, vomiting can damage the digestive tract. The good folks at the Poison Control Center are there to help you if you need them at 1-800-222-1222.
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