Poinsettias & Holiday Plants At Greenstreet Gardens

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a tour of Greenstreet Garden's poinsettia plants. I love that they're not too far from me. The closer I am to a garden center, the better. At least in my estimation! I figured touring their poinsettias would get me into the spirit of the holidays. It also gave me the opportunity to wear some fun fall clothing.

A group of people met at the back of the Greenstreet Garden property by the greenhouses. We met Ray Greenstreet and his brother. They walked us down to their greenhouses, which were incredibly huge. As we walked, I started to feel super hot. I couldn't even believe how warm it was half way through November! We stopped outside a large glass greenhouse. I took notes, but don't quote me. I was trying to listen and take it all in at the same time.

Their irrigation design comes from Israel. I'd never thought about how places like Israel grows plants. They've got to collect all the water they can as efficiently as they can. Every hanging basket gets the same amount of water and sun. They have to have the right balance of sun and beams. It was so interesting to listen to Ray about the ideas behind their designs. They collect water from the
 run off of the rain. The slower they water, the less water the plants need.

As we went into the line of greenhouses, I was really cooking! I could NOT believe how hot I was. I was very thankful I dressed in layers. We saw the first room full of poinsettias and we were all stunned by the rows and rows of them. I had no idea there were so many varieties of them! Turns out poinsettias are a community plant. They grow best butted up against each other. It helps them to grow up and then out.

There's also a very important timing issue. Starting September 23rd the gardeners have to make sure there are no extra light on the plants. Extra lights cause them to have growth issues. Ray was saying even car lights driving by would have an effect. Who knew?! Some varieties of plants have different response times ton bring them into full bloom. That's definitely helpful to growing them. They even have trees that start growing in April! Can you believe it?

One of the cool things about Greenstreet Gardens is they started reaching out to stay at home moms and dads to give them employment. They needed people to do a variety of jobs, and they could show up to work after the kids were off to school and be home by the time the kids got off the bus. Isn't that awesome? That's why I always loved working at Menards. I was able to do that exact same thing! They're also looking at employing vets and people from the inner city. Unfortunately with those two groups of people there is a lot of red tape and things they have to follow.

I'm really looking forward to getting the house set up in everything Christmas when we get home from Williamsburg. I'm in the camp of saving Christmas decorating for the day after Thanksgiving. I've already got a ton of stuff ready to go. I wish I had more spots to put poinsettias. I am absolutely in love with the Jingle Bell Rock variety. Those are the ones I want to have around the house! I also love the variegated variety. I can't remember what it's called. There's also a fiery orange one that is really interesting. I wish my phone camera would've captured the colors better. It's days like last Saturday that I wish I had a great point & shoot camera. That or at least a better phone.

Freedom Red

Here are 5 tips to taking care of your new poinsettia from Greenstreet Gardens:

• Place poinsettias in indirect light
• Water only when the soil is dry & don't allow them to sit in water overnight
• Treat it like tropical plant
• Remove the plant from the sleeve as soon as you get home
• Keep it warm. Temperature below 50°F shorten the plant's life.

Have you bought any plants for the holidays yet or have you started decorating?