A Poinsettia Christmas Tree is just one of the really cool ideas that a bonified plant addict could come up with this holiday season. The technique is simple and any size tree could be made all the way up to seventeen and a half foot!
If you know someone who welds you could have them make a steel frame for you. Simply create rings large enough to hold standard size poinsettia pots. Decide how wide the bottom of your tree will be so you know how many rings to start with. The next step is to measure the poinsettias from top to bottom so you know how far apart each row should be. Once you have this measurement, create the second row of rings. Be sure to alternate the rings and move each row in slightly so the tree slants inward like a natural tree would do and so the rings are not right on top of one another. Continue to do this until there is only one ring, top and center.
Another option is to purchase a pre-made frame that you simply assemble. Pre-made frames usually come complete with a pressurized self-watering system. Before installing the watering system, find out if it is made to work in a home environment. If not, you may want to choose a smaller frame so you will be able to hand water your plants.
Another idea is to create standard or topiary plants. Almost any plant from a poinsettia to an evergreen can be trained or pruned to retain a specific shape. One of the most common shapes is that of a tree. Other options are to create a Santa or reindeer shaped tree. Some nurseries offer evergreens already pruned to specific shapes so all the new owner has to do is continue to keep the tree pruned as it grows.
If an evergreen is not up your alley, you can choose among numerous topiary frames that will allow you to grow a variety of plants in unusual shapes. If you intend to use a topiary frame in the house be advised that these must be soaked periodically to keep the moss wet. This causes quite a mess so be sure you have a saucer large enough to sit the plant in so your floor does not become water logged.
For succulent lovers how about a living plant wreath for the holiday season? You can purchase these pre-made or make your own. If you are making your own wreath, start several weeks in advance so the wreath can lay flat while the plants grow into the moss.
The first step to making your own wreath is to purchase a metal or plastic wreath frame. A metal one is usually much sturdier and the better choice.
Fill the bottom and sides of the wreath frame with damp moss. Once the moss is in place, fill the wreath with semi-dry potting mix. Cover any potting mix that is still showing with more damp moss.
As you are adding the moss to the top of the potting soil you will want to wrap the entire frame with copper wire. This wire should be wrapped so the strands are approximately an inch apart. You will need to wrap the wreath with this copper wire twice, once going in one direction and once going in the opposite direction so the moss will stay in place.
After this is done, begin adding the succulents or other plants of your choice until the entire wreath is covered in plant material.
If you do not complete your wreath in one day, do not panic. Simply sprinkle the plants you have planted with some water once you are done for the day and leave the wreath lay flat until you are ready to come back and work on it again. The trick is to keep the soil on the dry side while you are planting while keeping the plants you have planted from drying out.
Incorporating these ideas into your holiday decorating scheme will make it a snap to include some of your favorite horticulture treasures in the holiday celebrations this year!
