Each year, First Coast Technical College’s AgriScience students present their annual poinsettia sale to the community. In September, students planted 1,200 cuttings into six inch pots, transferred them to the 10,000 square-foot greenhouse, and nurtured them along until the bracts magically changed color. Students are cautious not to overwater, check daily for signs of insect and disease, fertilize, and maintain correct spacing to avoid overcrowding on greenhouse tables.
This year flowers are fat and full in bold colors of red, white, pink, and peppermint, representing the “freedom” variety.
Poinsettias sell for $5 each, Mon.–Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Closed for lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). The greenhouse is located behind Bldg. F, on the FCTC main campus, 2980 Collins Ave., off SR 16. Proceeds return to FCTC programs for further training and students learn business and marketing skills along with their horticulture curriculum. Contact Eddie Lambert, 904-547-3341 or ude.ctcfnull@trebmal.eidde
Keep your poinsettia as a houseplant or plant it outdoors in the spring. Place it in bright light, continue to water and use a slow release fertilizer. Once a month apply a liquid fertilizer. Remember to wait and plant poinsettias outside after mid-March and choose a sunny spot that’s protected from salt and wind.
Poinsettias are lovely symbols of the holiday season. With a little care, they can bring you many seasons of beauty and joy.
Happy Holidays to all!
Attached photo, l-r: FCTC AgriScience students Wade Spielman, Grace Cornwall, Timothy Mack, Luther Stewart, and Justin Upson sell poinsettias to the community.
Eddie Lambert, FCTC Instructor, with students Luther Stewart and Grace Cornwall show a variety of poinsettias for sale to the public.
