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8-Orono Weekly Times. Wednesday, January 3,2001'- wmr A view from the Hollow By: John Romanchuk by Jacqueline Vaneyk J So you've got a poinsettia for Christmas, Instead of enjoying those scarlet leaves in their entire splendor all you can think about is "How can I not kill it?" Well relax, you are not alone; green thumbs are not bom they are made. Now take a deep breath, let it out slowly and say to yourself I can do this. The first thing you have to know about your poinsettia is that it actually has a way of letting you know if you have screwed up. It drops all its leaves in protest. Example: if you chill it for more than twenty minutes (perhaps you picked one up and left in a cold car while you sat in the warm coffee shop discussing all the wonderful material goodies you are planning to buy with all that federal tax money you'll be getting this year) plan on buying a 'new poinsettia because the one in the cold car is going to drop all its leaves when you get it home. Place it in a drafty spot in the house or over a heating vent in direct sunlight and you guessed it; it's going to drop its leaves. Now you know what not to do; here are some suggestions on keeping it healthy until Easter or for a few weeks at least. Keep your poinsettia out of drafty areas, including, windows, windows, doors, and vents. Remember this plant is native to Mexico, it likes warmth and humidity. Bright indirect sunlight, about 6 hours with a deep watering every few days is best. Let the water flow through the drainage holes at the bottom of the not pouring away all excess water. Don't let it get soggy or dry out. After a few weeks when the plant colours fade its compost. compost. Simple and much easier than that puppy you could have gotten. There are of course those people out there who are skilled enough to bring this plant back from its dormancy. It's an involved process and takes some TLC, so here are some hints .After the coloured bracts (they are the showy red, pink, or white portion of the plant.) have fallen away cut the plant by half. Provide constant moisture to the roots do not let it dry out. Set outdoors outdoors in the summer once the night temperature is above 55 degrees F. Prune, keeping keeping the plant compact and bushy. Do not prune after September. Starting in October move the plant into a dark closet each night. Poinsettias bloom when they experience long nights. Continue this evéry day for 10 weeks and you will see blooms by Christmas. The plant poinsettia was brought to the states by an American ambassador by the name of Joel Poinsett in 1825, hence the name. It seems Joel was an amateur botanist and was quite awestruck by this native Mexican plant. Some people shy away from this holiday plant because of the mistaken belief that poinsettia leaves are poisonous. This of course is one of those "friend of a friend stories" Or an urban myth. Poinsettia growers have gone to great lengths to dispel this myth. Laurie Scullin a marketing agent for a large California poinsettia grower actually eats a poinsettia leaf on television television eveiy Christmas. Please do not try this at home! Why the poinsettia became a very popular Christmas plant is anybody's guess, possibly because of its red colour or its December blooming. There is of course the Mexican legend that says the flower was a gift from God to a poor child for his devotion during Christmas. Whatever the reason it has become a tradition in our house. There are no less than 150 variations. Scarlet being the classic choice. Two varieties that come highly recommended recommended are the "Cortez" series with its red leaves or for something a little different the "Carousel" variety. So relax and enjoy that poinsettia just remember to keep those roots moist. Happy New Year, everyone! everyone! We start off with lots of snow and cold weather, making making it harder to dç every outside outside task. Even the barn cats don't venture far these days. Well, the party is over - the family get-togethers, the school programs, the open houses, the pageants, the church services - leaving us with lots of good memories. Tyrone church had a full house for the Christmas Eve service, plenty of music and singing. On Dec. 31 there was a charge service at Enniskillen. On Jan. 7, we are back to regular times - 9:30 in Enniskillen and 10:45 in Tyrone. All are welcome. Thank you to all those who spent time and energy to decorate decorate their homes and yards. The lights are truly beautiful and we all appreciate them. Sympathy is extended to the family of Harvey Yellowlees of Solina, who died just before Christmas. Harvey was a strong supporter supporter of small communities, and a friend to everyone. He will be greatly missed. Karen Vaneyk has returned to the warmth of Singapore after spending Christmas with her family. Club 60 Plus will hold its regular luncheon on Wed. Jan 10, at the Orange Hall. It starts at noon and six dollars will give you lunch and cards. Always great food! Durham Soil and Crop meeting is on Friday of this week in Orono United Church beginning at 10:00 a m. An interesting program is planned and the fee of $20.00 gives you membership and a hot lunch. This is the first of the winter meetings for farm and commodity groups. With the decline in support from the agriculture ministry, farmers farmers have greater need to take advantage of these meetings to collect information. Be sure to attend the upcoming levees for our politicians. It is one way to let them know we are interested interested in what is going on. Also, how will they know what we think unless we tell them? The Clarington levée is this Sunday and John O'Toole's is Jan 14. Check for hours and locations. 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