NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR DECEMBER 31, 2016
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DID YOU GET A NEW HOUSEPLANT?
BY GLADYS JEURINK
It is quite common at Christmas to give or receive a new
houseplant, but usually there is not a family history with it.
How much should we know? Is it poisonous? A number of Christmas
plants are. Is it allergenic? Does it like acid or alkaline soil, a
light or a heavy soil? Nearly everyone needs an encyclopedia to hunt out
these answers. Let’s look first at the ones that may be a problem.
The Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annum) is quite often found
around Christmas time with its little round tip, or a pointed tip on
longer “peppers” of many colors.
The leaves are poisonous and the peppers are very hot, much like
our garden hot peppers.
Also called Christmas peppers, it is small, 12 inches tall by 15 inches
wide that is usually thrown out after the peppers fall off. But they do
last for several months. One of my encyclopedias lists 54 house plants
as poisonous, dangerous, or allergy causing. The Jerusalem Cherry
(Pseudo capsicum) is a small-12 by 12 inch-that will keep its “cherries”
for a number of months.
Both species plants contain solanine.
I have Adenium obesum (Desert Rose) which is listed as having one
of the most dangerous poisons in its latex.
Luckily it is not easy to wound as it has a thick stem and
leathery leaves. It is from
Arabia and Africa so should never go below 50 degrees F. A very
interesting plant, the stems twist as they grow. The lower part of the
stems store water during the rainy season, and it drops its leaves
during dry seasons and waits for rain.
This makes it a very slow grower with gorgeous white blooms edged
in bright red. Summer it spends outside in full sun in its pot of
“Cactus Mix”.
Among the plants we often receive about Christmas time is any
member of the Euphorbia family of which Poinsettia (Euphorbia
pulcherrima) is one. There are over 2000 species of Euphorbia-annuals,
perennials, trees, shrubs, and succulents. It is not listed as poisonous
but one can get an allergic reaction to its milky latex if a leaf is
broken of or a stem is cut.
Other members are Crotons, Crown of Thorns (Emilii) and Acalphia.
It is a good idea to wash your hands after handling any of these.
I have seen Crotons (Codiaeum sp.) used as hedges in Southern United
States. I usually have one in my south window in winter until it gets
too big. It does not bloom in a pot, but its big, beautiful, many
colored leaves brightens up the winter.
Amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum) are a very common Christmas gift.
But be careful as all parts are listed as dangerous as they contain
“alkaloid lycoriene” the bulb being the most toxic as an irritant to the
gastrointestinal tract. They can be purchased unpotted so that you can
plant them at intervals.
Usually they will bloom 6 to 8 weeks after planting.
Do not water very much until the leaves appear. Half of the bulb
should be above ground.
After the flower wilts, cut the stem down to the soil.
After the last spring freeze, it can be planted in the garden in
or out of the pot. I prefer to take it out of the pot and plant it in
the soil as the roots can get more food and water. I usually let the
first frost hit, then cut the leaves off and let the bulb rest for at
least 8 weeks before planting again. Take good care of the plant during
the summer as it takes about 4 big healthy leaves to build the bulb up
to bloom again.
Another plant I have seen in many “Christmas sales” is the
Anthurium sp. also called Flamingo Flower or Pig Tail Plant. The blooms
are fun, usually bright red or pink with the tail straight or curled.
They may bloom almost all year around if happy. They like a most, humus
rich soil, in full or partial shade. If eaten they can cause a mild
stomach ache and skin contact with the sap will irritate the skin.
Next time I will have an article on “Houseplants Part 2” and
later “Houseplants Part 3”. For more information about “Houseplants”
contact your local County
Extension office or you can good articles at:
http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/search
and “http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews”.
Have a Happy Holiday!!! Copyright 2016 |