What's the secret caring for Poinsettias. It's been years since I bought one, but this year Walmart had variegated leaves so I couldn't resist. I didn't notice until yesterday, the container it's in doesn't have drainage. Why and when does it need pruning and how much should be removed? What type of light? Can it be summered outdoors? I know they're cold sensitive, so it'd have to live in the LR which is warmer, but air is a little dry. Do they need lots of humidity? Here's a pic of my first Poin in years. Other Euphorbias are easy to care for, but I've never had luck w/Poins. What's everyone's secret? Thanks, Toni

Neither of the Poinsettas I bought last year made it to this year. All their leaves fell of then the stems got brown and wrinkly, but not mushy. Perhaps drying out too much? Anyways, I bought another one today. It's in a 4in plastic pot, full and luscious and the bracts are pink edged in cream. I'll post a pic later today if I remember. It's really quite beautiful. I'm heading back to the garden centre with my mother today (twice in one day, yes I'm addicted) and they had little tiny baby ones, so I may grab one of those while I'm there again. There were a few other plants there that I wanted but I ran out of money...so I'm brining my mother. Teehee. I'm an evil genious!

Hi Chris, I don't have any experience with Poinsettia cuttings, I tried it a few times, and it didn't work for me. Others might have success tips for you. As far as the after Christmas deals, if I had to "guess"? I would say yes...your chances are very good at getting great deals on Christmas plants after Christmas. Especially with the economy being so bad. I would guess some people aren't going to be buying Christmas plants and would opt for something else "more useful" as far as presents/decorating goes. Even when the economy was good, I always get great deals, at least 50% of the day after or sometimes a day before Christmas. I have purchased Points or C. Cactus at half price with a pretty good selection. But then again the market and the area you live in makes a LOT of difference...Just my opinion. Merry Christmas everyone!!

I moved a Salvia May Night last summer and just unceremoniously plunked it into a hole I dug in ordinary dirt close to and under a Pin Oak by our driveway where it only gets sun from about 2 till 5 or less. Its in very dry unimproved soil so maybe its moisture or too rich soil causing the flop? Mine actually looks good and bloomed same as usual. I transplanted another part of it in even more shade down by a shrub where you can't really see it just because I didn't have the heart to toss it, both bloomed this spring and didn't flop, frankly this plant got boring to me so I relegated it to unimportant spots and thats why its where it is now, poor thing. I'm editing to add that it gets more sun in spring before the neighbors blasted Pin Oak monster leafs out, the rest of the season it just sits there but it did bloom twice because I deadheaded it. My experience was catmint got too bushy & tall in morning sun only making it messy looking compared to the nice silver & xeric looking compact & tight form they have in full sun, that mattered to me a lot more than the blooms. It bloomed just fine in spring but I got rid of it because I didn't like the looks of it and didn't try to transplant it. I always felt compelled to trim it back and I hate the smell of it. I learned that if you dig out the salvia it will come back because the roots are so deep and extensive. It might take a about three digging sessions to get it all out if its been growing there for a while.