Our First Shipment of Poinsettias Is Here!

Arrival Time: 11:15 a.m. ...Tiny little baby plants welcomed to the nursery to begin their quick growth from childhood to adulthood, and in about five months to be ready to jingle with the holidays!

"When they first come in, we start by assessing them on their size and condition," said Glen Braker, Hoerr Nursery grower in charge of the poinsettias. "We sort them out to determine which ones to group together in each pot. As soon as we get them into their pots, we water them and give them their first shot of plant food. Then we begin the process of misting them with water several times a day, checking each of the cuttings for symmetrical growth and giving them the individual care that they only get at Hoerr Nursery."

The high humidity we are experiencing in Peoria wilts humans but is perfect for the poinsettias.

Hoerr Nursery will start with about 1,200 cuttings and over the next three weeks receive a total of about 6,200 cuttings. The expert growers at Hoerr Nursery will tenderly replant the cuttings into larger pots. Then over the next four-and-a-half to five months or so, the poinsettia team will nurture and attend to each little plant several times a week misting them, turning and inspecting them.

"We'll pinch off branches, then we'll remove a leaf or two from one side, to work on "balancing" the plant, and to assure that the poinsettia grows with a perfect and very desirable - umbrella shape to the foliage," said Glen Braker.

The nursery may even change light conditions, if necessary, with black cloths and dark rooms, to get the plants to bloom at the perfect time before Christmas. They need an exact amount of completely dark nights to develop properly and bloom at the right time. An inadvertent light left on in the fall in the greenhouses with poinsettias, can completely throw off their growing cycle.

The annual goal is to bring the colorful virtuoso plants to their dramatic finale during the holiday season, and sell them to brighten many a holiday home.