Who could imagine that within a five minute drive from the heart of Lewiston-Auburn there’s a row of greenhouses with over 11,000 poinsettia plants set to bloom by Thanksgiving?

To brothers Elmer and Buster Whiting, owners of Farmer Whiting on Summer Street, this comes as no surprise. For years, they’ve planted cuttings of poinsettias in early July and carefully nurtured the holiday plants for the next five months until they reach full bloom at Thanksgiving.
“They take a tremendous amount of water,” explained Elmer, pointing to endless rows of the holiday plants, “and then we keep them in the dark as much as possible until they bloom.”

Buster nodded in agreement noting that “we don’t plant them the week before Thanksgiving!”

Farmer Whiting is one of the few places remaining in the state that cultivates their own poinsettias rather than importing them from other parts of the country. They claim that the weeks of tender care result in a healthier plant, free of viruses, which can be picked up just in time for the holiday season.

Mike Small, who with his wife, Elizabeth, own and operate Roak the Florist on Main Street in Lewiston, used to grow their own poinsettias, but now rely on a California distributor to supply the festive plants.

“The red ones are still the most popular,” said Small, “but, now you can get them in red and white, burgundy and even orange.” He noted that the variety of colors can complement many home decors.

When asked how to maintain poinsettias through the holiday season and beyond, the expert advice is similar.

“If you pick up the plant and it feels heavy, it doesn’t need water,” said Elmer Whiting. “If it feels light, then it is time to water.” Buster chimed in saying that “watering two times a week is just about right.”

Small recommends that plants remain “evenly moist, but not wet” and said that “if you aren’t certain of what to do, don’t water… the drier, the better.”

The local experts also agree that a florist-grade poinsettia has a better chance to thrive well after the holidays.

“One customer placed her plant outside on Memorial Day,” said Small, as an example that poinsettias can be enjoyed much beyond Christmas.

Poinsettia shoppers will find a wide range of plant sizes and prices to fit space requirements and their budgets. Sizes range from 4 ½ inch pots to 12 inch pots as well as hanging baskets. Prices start at $2.75 a plant with the larger ones topping off around $35.

If plants aren’t your fancy, local greenhouses usually have a supply of Christmas wreaths to set a festive mood.

Bob Hayes, owner and jack of all trades at J.L.Hayes on Minot Avenue, expects to have his supply of wreaths the week before Thanksgiving.
“(With wreaths) the fresher the better,” said Hayes, noting that he doesn’t like to get them too early. “You also get a fuller wreath if it is a two sided one rather than single sided.”

Hayes said that he gets a combination of both for the season usually from a choice of suppliers based here in Maine.

At Farmer Whiting, the supplier starts the season making their own wreaths, but sometimes goes to local suppliers to keep up with customer demand.

At Roak the Florist, shoppers can order customized wreaths in sizes, colors and décor of their choice and usually offer next-day service.

“We can ship wreaths anywhere in the country, too,” said Mike Small, assuring that the wreath arrives as fresh as when it left his store.

Most wreaths are purchased to hang on outside doors or a window which makes them last longer through the winter season. “As long as they are in the cold, they hold up well,” said Elizabeth Berry-Small, who once had a customer with a winter wreath that still “looked good” on Valentine’s Day in February.

Depending on the size and design, wreath prices range from $5 to $12 for smaller door-size wreaths. Larger wreaths up to a 4 foot in diameter can top out at $65.

Timing is everything when buying poinsettias and wreaths and delaying the purchase until Thanksgiving is a wise decision.

“It’s like taking a cake out of the oven too soon,” said Elmer Whiting. “It’s not good and there’s still more work to be done.”