Archive for December, 2011
Fact or Fiction – Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous?
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Myths and rumors about the toxicity of the poinsettia plant are common when the popular red-leaved plants take center stage in holiday decorations. While the genus (Euphorbia) to which the poinsettia plant belongs does contain some highly toxic plants, the popular poinsettia itself is not toxic.
Some sources attribute the rumor about the dangers of poinsettia leaves to a case of poisoning in 1919 that led to the death of a two year-old child. At the time, the cause of the poisoning was incorrectly determined to be a poinsettia leaf.
According to the POISINDEX information source – the primary resource used by the majority of poison control centers nationwide – a child who weighed 50 lbs. would have to eat over 500 poinsettia leaves to reach an even potentially toxic dose of compounds in the poinsettia plant. Doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Poison Center conducted a review of 22,793 reported cases of poinsettia exposures, the majority (93%) of which occurred in children, and found that 92% of those exposed did not develop any symptoms at all. Ninety-six per cent of those exposed were not even treated in a health care facility. Furthermore, no deaths resulting from poinsettia ingestion have ever been documented.
Even though accidental ingestion of poinsettia leaves will not damage your body or kill you, it may lead to nausea and vomiting in some cases. Since the taste of poinsettia leaves is reportedly very unpleasant, it is unlikely that a child or animal who attempts to eat or chew the leaves will continue to do so after the first taste.
While ingestion of house plants is never a good idea (some popular plants can be extremely dangerous when eaten) parents of young children can be assured that the poinsettia plant is not a dangerous risk in the home.
-By Maggie Oldfield Thayer Nursery
Caring for Your Christmas Tree
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Now that you have selected the perfect Christmas tree, here are some tips for keeping it fresh through the holiday season! If you follow the steps below and treat your fresh cut tree as you would a bouquet of flowers, you can enjoy its warm glow into the New Year!
With a pre-cut tree, it’s vitally important to make a fresh cut across the bottom. This is because after a tree is cut, its sap will form a seal across the base after about 3 hours. A fresh cut, at home or at the nursery, will ensure that your tree can absorb water and that its needles will stay fresh.
As soon as possible, get your tree in water! If you aren’t going to trim it right away, place it in a bucket of water until you are ready (if your tree dries out in the stand, another fresh cut will be necessary). Your tree will “drink” more in the first few days, so be sure to keep your stand topped off.
A variety of organic products are available to keep your tree fresher longer. At the nursery, we recommend spraying your tree with Wilt Stop to seal its needles and slow the drying process. Mixing Tree Life nutrient powder in with the first watering will also help to keep your tree soft and green.
Try keeping your tree away from heat sources, as these tend to speed the drying process. Lastly, check that your lights and outlets are in good working order and are designed for use with indoor trees. If you follow these steps, you will never have to miss the joy and warmth of a real Christmas tree!
Merry Christmas!
Andy Archer Thayer Nursery
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