The Christmas flower history is an American story that has fascinated more than just gardeners and has propelled poinsettias into a significant part of our seasonal traditions. Below is a slide show from what could be considered a living museum dedicated to the poinsettia in Carlsbad California. This is brought to by The Ecke Family and The Ecke Ranch.

With Christmas behind us the big question always asked by Florida gardeners is what do you do with these beautiful symbols of this joyous season. Here in Florida we can enjoy Poinsettias in the landscape as lush growing tropical bushes that flower in the fall with bracts that last until spring.

There are several things to keep in mind when planting poinsettias. They like a compost rich soil with at least 50% organic matter and a well drained site. Organic matter is home to beneficial organisms like good fungus, good nematodes and bacteria that feed on harmful parasitic nematodes and fungi. Poinsettias need moderate fertilizer and water. Keep them mulched with oak leaves or a sustainable renewable  farmed mulch like eucalyptus mulch. Pinching until September helps keep them short but is not required with the new modern dwarf self branching varieties.

They like a bright sunny location that gets at least 5 hours of nearly direct sun. They need to be planted where they can get uninterrupted nights. Nights without light from street lights, porch lights or cars. Night lights that interrupt continuous regular nighttime darkness from late September until mid October will prevent or delay blooming. 

The poinsettia history museum is located at The Flower Fields® in Carlsbad California an is open in the spring. The 2010 season begins March 1st. For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch are in a full bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year - from early March through early May - literally bringing the famous fields back to life.

This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area's local heritage, is also one of nature's official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in Southern California.

Season: Spring (March 1st through May 9th, 2010)

Hours: Open to the public seven days a week
from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

You probably heard it incorrectly over and over again that poinsettias are poisonous. Well, THEY ARE NOT POSIONOUS! Here is a video that proves it and a link to the official government statement.

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