Confessions

Just a random garden shot from July '08
Most of us who blog have been asked horticultural advice from others at one time or another.  Some of us give horticultural advice as part of our jobs and part of our lives.  It is very satisfying to share one's knowledge with others and it is equally satisfying to receive the benefits of other's experiences in the garden and in life.  We all know how difficult it is to throw out plants although seasonal plants are easier to dispense with due to the limited shelf space of the indoor winter garden.  Poinsettias are just so festive during the holiday season and so garish the days after. 
Another gratuitous garden shot
Once the bract color starts to diminish it is hard to justify the space this plant takes up on the shelf.  One of the most frequently asked questions I hear is 'How do  I keep my poinsettia healthy and how do I get it to rebloom"?   Keeping it healthy is one thing especially when it gives so little after the holiday and is so susceptible to white fly.  Getting it to rebloom is not difficult it just takes the attention to detail for which many of us lack the time.  What am I getting to?  Well, below is a picture of my poinsettia from '07 which I decided to keep and grow on in the hopes of the rebloom.  Let me say that this plant was growing quite well all through the summer of '08 but someone (Tucker) knocked it over and broke the main stem.  Hence it's diminutive size.  I did NOT give it any special treatment and yet it did reward me with this diminutive red bloom.  If only I had the time to take some of my own advice.