Just a few years ago, the only plant we had for New Year and Christmas was the fir tree, but times go by and traditions change. It is no longer uncommon for flaming red poinsettias to appear in our homes for the New Year. It is probably good that beautiful traditions are taking root in our country.
The Christmas Legend of the Poinsettia
There are many legends about why poinsettia is called the Christmas star and they are all beautiful – here is just one of them.
In a small Mexican village on Christmas Eve, people were preparing for the feast of the birth of the Christ child. The entire village took part in the preparations. The village church and the square in front of it were festively decorated. Even the children helped by making gifts that would be given to the baby Jesus on Christmas.
Little Mary was also getting ready. She lived in a poor family, her mother worked as a weaver, and they could not afford anything extra. Mary decided to give the baby Jesus a beautiful blanket woven with her own hands. Secretly from her mother, Mary decided to use her loom, but she did not yet know how to use the loom and tangled the threads and her beautiful blanket was hopelessly ruined.
The little girl was heartbroken because she didn’t have a gift for Jesus like the other children. How would she go on the procession without a gift? What would she put at the cradle of the baby Jesus?
It was Christmas Eve. The villagers gathered in the square in front of the church. Everyone was happy, everyone had gifts, they shared their joy and discussed who would give what. Everyone was ready to bring their gift to Christ. Everyone, that is, except for Mary, who was hiding in the shadows, watching with tears in her eyes as the procession to the church began. People walked with gifts, lit candles and sang songs.
“I don’t have a gift for baby Jesus,” Mary sniffled softly. “I tried to make something pretty, but instead I ruined it.” Suddenly Mary heard a voice. She looked around and saw only a bright star in the sky; it seemed to float and shine above the village church. Was it the star that spoke to her?
“Mary,” she heard the voice again, “baby Jesus will love everything you give because it comes from your heart. Love is what makes any gift special.”
Maria wiped her tears and stepped out of the shadows she had been hiding in. She noticed tall green weeds nearby. She quickly broke off some twigs from a bush, hiding them under her apron. Then she ran down to the church.
By the time Mary arrived at the church, the candles were burning brightly and the choir was singing. People were coming up the aisle, bringing their gifts to the Christ child. Padre Francesco placed the figurine of the baby Jesus in a manger, surrounded by gifts from other children.
Maria was frightened when she saw all these people dressed in beautiful clothes – she was dressed so poorly. She tried to slip behind one of the large columns, but Padre Francesco saw her.
“Maria, Maria,” he called out to her, “Hurry, girl, come in and bring your gift!”
Maria was terrified. She wondered, “Is it right to run away? Should I go forward?”
The padre noticed her fear and asked her more gently: “Maria, come here and look at the baby Jesus. There is still room for one more gift.”
When Mary came to her senses, she found herself already walking down the main aisle of the church.
“What is Maria hiding under her apron?” the villagers whispered. “Where is her gift?”
Padre Francesco came out from behind the altar and approached the manger with Mary. Mary bowed her head, said a prayer, then lifted her apron to let the weeds she had gathered fall out.
The people in the church gasped, “Look! Look at these glorious flowers!”
Maria opened her eyes. She was amazed. Each branch of the weed was now crowned with a fiery and bright red star.
The miracle happened not only in the church, but also outside its walls. Every weed, the branches of which Maria had picked, was now strewn with bright red stars.
Thus Mary’s love worked a miracle.
About poinsettia care
Poinsettia needs bright but diffused light. This flower should be kept away from strong sun and drafts. Minimum temperature -13 .. -15 °C. When transporting poinsettia from the store, you need to be careful, as cold temperatures outside can damage the foliage. Wrap the top of the foliage in paper right in the store or put the plant in a plastic bag.
Sometimes poinsettia (euphorbia pulcherrima) begins to wilt at home. This may be due to the fact that the plant was stored in cold conditions. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to be able to save the plant in this case. Therefore, it is recommended to buy plants only from trusted sellers.
Lack of water, as well as its excess, can have a negative effect on the growth of the plant. It is necessary to water the poinsettia when the soil surface begins to dry out. In a humid environment, the plant blooms longer, so spray the plant regularly. Once a month, the poinsettia needs to be fed with nitrogen and potassium.
How to get poinsettias to bloom next Christmas?
In April, the plant should be cut to 10 centimeters. Plant it in open ground. The place should not be too sunny. Temperature of +15.. +18 °C is ideal.
Poinsettia begins to bloom only in short daylight hours, which occur in December and January. Therefore, in November, the plant should be placed in a dark room and protected from artificial light sources.
In order for poinsettia to bloom, it is necessary to provide it with a temperature regime of +18 °C. Make sure that the room where the flower is located is not too cold.
