Many Canadians find their vibrant holiday poinsettias beginning to shed leaves once the festivities wind down. This common issue, however, is often preventable with the right knowledge and a shift in care routine as the new year begins.
Solving the Mystery of Poinsettia Leaf Drop
The sudden leaf loss plaguing many poinsettias in January is rarely a mystery to gardening experts. The most frequent culprit is exposure to drafts, particularly from hot air vents or cold windowsills where these plants are commonly placed during the holidays. Other contributing factors include insufficient light, improper watering, dry indoor air, and temperatures that dip too low.
To keep your poinsettia healthy, it requires a stable environment. Aim for bright, indirect winter light and protect it from harsh, direct sun. Maintain room temperatures that are consistently above 15 degrees Celsius, avoiding both hot and cold blasts of air.
Year-Round Care for a Lasting Plant
Proper watering is crucial. A good rule of thumb is to water only when the soil surface feels dry to the touch and the pot feels noticeably light. Many decorative pots come wrapped in foil; it's essential to puncture or remove the bottom of this wrapping to allow excess water to drain freely into a saucer, preventing root rot.
With consistent care regarding light, temperature, and moisture, your poinsettia can remain a attractive leafy houseplant long after its red bracts have faded, setting the stage for potential re-blooming the following Christmas with specialized treatment.
Sweet Potato or Yam? A Common Grocery Confusion
In a related gardening query, the age-old confusion between sweet potatoes and yams is addressed. They are not the same vegetable and belong to entirely different plant families grown in separate parts of the world.
True yams are staples in tropical regions like Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The orange-fleshed roots commonly sold in Canadian supermarkets, sometimes misleadingly labeled as "yams," are almost always varieties of sweet potatoes, a New World crop. Notably, deep purple-skinned and fleshed varieties have gained popularity for their enhanced health benefits, but they are still botanically sweet potatoes, not yams.
Understanding these distinctions can help gardeners and cooks make informed choices both in the store and in their garden planning, especially for those interested in growing their own sweet potato slips during the upcoming growing season.
