Poisonous Poinsettias?

Poisonous Poinsettias??

Every year during the holiday season, we find it necessary to discuss an "Old Wives Tale" that continues to persist about poinsettias. It is alleged that parts or all of the poinsettia plant are poisonous to pets and/or people. This is definitely Not True! Poinsettias are not poisonous to people or pets. The Ohio State University in 1971 ran extensive studies on the toxicity of all parts of the poinsettia plant. This study was done in response to a movement to place safety caution tags on all plants deemed poisonous. Results of these tests were conclusive that no part of the poinsettia plant was poisonous to people or pets. At the time, the studies were reported on all news media, but every year since then, the myth has persisted. This is primarily due to lack of knowledge on the part of newscasters and, surprisingly, veterinarians.
So fear not! Enjoy the beauty of this seasonal house plant during the holidays, then cut them back in March and they will make great foliage plants outdoors in the summer.

Susan's Classroom-June Care

Susan's Classroom-June Care

June is upon us and it's time for "Cincinnati summer". We've really had a beautiful spring, some say a little on the wet side, but that's ok. Hibiscus, Mandevilla vines, and Caladium are a few plants that thrive in hot humid weather. Mandevilla won't even bloom unless it's very warm, and Caladium will go dormant if night temperatures drop below 55F. Now that it is getting very warm, it's time to turn up the watering. Adjust to the flow of the weather, and don't let a few showers fool you into thinking the rain was enough to get to the roots of the plants. Feel the soil down about an inch near the plant and respond accordingly. If the soil is wet, don't water. If it feels dry, water it thoroughly so the water gets to the roots where the plant can use it. Remember that hot, sunny, or windy days will dry out plants very quickly, especially if they are newly planted. This is true for shrubs and trees too, and they should be watered even more deeply. Your plants are depending on you to keep them at their blooming best all summer, so don't hide out in the air conditioning and expect them to fend for themselves. They'll reward you with many months of beautiful color if you just take care of them. Enjoy!

Susan's Classroom - Tomaccio Tomatoes

In May we hope to offer a new grape tomato called "Tomaccio." Oh I can hear it now! "Who needs another grape tomato?" This one is different. This variety has been introduced this year after several years of study. This variety is "dryable." The tomatoes are simply placed in the sun and they dry just like raisins. It has been hybridized to be the best tasting and easiest of drying. This "Tomaccio" will only be available at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses in the tri-state area. We are still, however, in the procurement stage so please check with us on this in May!

Susan's Classroom - Pansies

Pansies, without question, are one of the most exciting plants of spring. I don't believe any other plant causes the excitement that pansies do. When people first see them in the spring, smiles are everywhere. I remember one time I noticed a customer, upon getting out of her car, was literally screaming while jumping up and down in the parking lot when she saw them through the glass of the greenhouse.

Pansies love cool weather and snow does not hurt them. (Actually when they are covered in snow, do not brush off the snow.) As soon as the soil is thaw from winter they can be planted. Most years this usually is in March; Although I remember some Februaries when this was do-able.

There are some who believe pansies need to be planted in the fall for spring bloom. We believe the best spring pansies are still planted in the spring. In most cases the fall pansies take so much longer to get going than fresh spring plants. I won't say fall plantings don't work for spring, but generally spring planting is more successful. Note, there is no difference in the varieties, it's just when they are planted. Also, the term "winter" pansy is a marketing concept. All pansies are cold tolerant. Some varieties of pansies, however, have been hybridized to be more heat tolerant to last longer into the warm season.

As you take them out of the pot to plant, it's best to loosen the roots. Plant them level in the soil of your container or in the bed and water them in well. After they're planted, sometimes when springs are unusually cool, it's difficult to tell if the soil is truly wet or if it's just cold soil. Probably the soil is dry if you haven't watered too recently, so go ahead and water well. Pansies do get thirsty, so be sure to check them; however they need to be dry between watering's.

Pansies don't require a lot of fertilizer but occasionally fertilizing with Jack's All Purpose is great!

Dead-heading is not necessary but it does help them to look fresher. Sometimes if the season is unusually warm, dead-heading will prolong the bloom time. It does curb the build up of seed pods. If annuals believe they have produced enough seed they sometimes feel they don't have to bloom any longer; they've done their job! I personally dead-head my pansies twice a season.

The brand new pansy this spring is Frizzy Lemonberry. As the name suggests, it is a light yellow and plum blend with curly edges. It is very, very pretty!

Panolas are a relatively new hybrid. They are a cross between a pansy and a viola. They have a high bloom count like violas with gorgeous color spectrum like pansies. The blossoms are medium size and there are lots of them. Panolas are great because they are very showy and full of color. A.J. Rahn Greenhouses will have plenty of panolas this season.

Susan's Classroom - Cyclamen

It's cyclamen time. They are absolutely beautiful. Just come in and see the color. It's a sight to behold. We had them at Christmas with all the poinsettias but now we have all of them blooming and they do make a show.

Cyclamen are easy to care for. Their main requirement is a cool location. They love a semi-sunny room with temps in the 60's or even 50's. Anything above 70 degrees and they are not "happy campers".

When watering, feel the soil. If the soil is wet or if you're not sure if it is wet, don't water. If the soil feels dry, water well.

Sometimes you might find you've missed a watering and they are flat on the pot. They look dead! Go ahead and water well. It will take maybe as many as eight hours for them to perk up but they will perk up.

Many customers tell us they have their cyclamen for a couple of years. Then there are some who struggle to keep them for one week. It's usually a temperature issue -- too warm!

Don't expect cyclamen to bloom in spring or summer. They can, but this is not their "agenda". They are normally dormant in the summer. Their bloom time is late fall to winter. They look dead in the pot spring and summer. Place the pot on a tilt outdoors in the shade, water occasionally. In late August, set the pot upright, water regularly, fertilize lightly and you should have color again in later October.