Poinsettias with a Personal Touch

Poinsettias have been the most popular winter holiday plant in the United States for generations. And with so many colors and types available, it's no big surprise. They bloom at just the right time to make any home even more beautiful inside. In fact, the more blustery it is outside, the more inviting a full poinsettia makes the room feel. And since modern poinsettias have been carefully bred for to withstand the rigors of shipping in just about any climate, they make the perfect gift for just about anyone; anyplace.

If you plan to give a poinsettia this holiday season, consider adding a personal touch by sharing a short story that tells your recipient even more about their gift. You can just use the parts you want from below and print a note or send an email as a follow-up after it arrives. It's a small thing to do but adds a nice personal touch.

Here is an opening that works well for me: "I hope you enjoy your Poinsettia as much as I did learning about it. They have a rich history I find impressive. For example..."

Once you have an opening (or you can skip the opening) just grab whatever blurbs you want from below:

History of the Poinsettia:

Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They were considered to be treasured possessions by the Aztecs of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and came to be associated with wealth and prosperity.

Two hundred years after the Aztec empire fell; Franciscan monks found a new purpose for these prized poinsettias. Taking note of how beautiful and full the red bloom was during the winter holiday, they used poinsettias as a central part of the "Fiesta Santa Pesebre" (Nativity procession.)

How the Poinsettia got its Name and International Fame: Up until the early nineteenth century poinsettias were still exclusive to regions south of the border, and not seen in the United States. Then in 1828 Joel Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico, noticed poinsettias during a trip to Mexico and sent cuttings back home to South Carolina.

As a plant native to Mexico, early poinsettias thrived in warm climates but tended not to do as well in the northern United States. They did well enough in South Carolina and ultimately crossed the American southwest all the way back to California, not far from where they started. But being such a well-loved plant, today's poinsettias have been carefully bred, or cultivated over generations, to thrive in many areas. Just follow a few simple instructions on how to care for your poinsettia and you will have a gift that continues to give.

Poinsettia Care:

In general, try to keep the following in mind...

1) Keep your poinsettia in bright, yet indirect light.

2) Do not put them in areas where they will experience drafts and sudden temperature changes, such as near doors or in foyers.

3) Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated.

(Source with more info available at: http://www.strangesgardencenter.com/content.asp?CATID=7&ContentID=454)

One more thing... If you plan to have a poinsettia sent as a gift, there's an easy way to save some money. Search online for a local florist and order directly from them. This saves you the $12.95 (+-) processing fee charged by most of the "800" floral chain services.

Good luck and enjoy those beautiful poinsettias!

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