Contrary to what some believe, poinsettias are not poisonous to people.
Jay Chism, University of Missouri Extension agronomist in Lamar, said extensive tests at several universities give poinsettias a “clean bill of health.”
Some veterinarians advise that poinsettias are poisonous to animals, but Chism cites an Ohio State University study to the contrary.
If concerned, contact your veterinarian.
The poinsettia is America’s top-selling flowering potted plant. The Society of American Florists says that annual wholesale markets exceed $230 million.
A poinsettia should have healthy foliage and bright bracts. The true flower is in the center of the bracts and should be tightly clustered, Chism said.
Keep plants in well lit locations away from cold drafts or heat. Water only when the surface of the growing medium is dry to the touch and be certain there is a drainage hole in any foil covering the pot.
Questions answered at county extension centers:
Q: Is it safe to eat eggs laid by chickens running wild that eat dry cat food?
A: Yes. Cat food can be better than a lot of what they might scratch up in the yard. There is a lot of grain in cat food, but it is low in calcium.
Q: How do you care for a mandevilla plant in the winter?
A: Treat it like a houseplant in this growing zone. Plants do not do well below 55 degrees. You can cut them back to 12 inches or leave them and prune as needed. Water weekly, but keep it a little dry.
Q: Is it better for grass in a small pasture to rake leaves or leave them on the ground?
A: If left, leaves become compost to help the soil. Test the soil to see if it needs nitrogen to replace that used by decomposing leaves.
Q: Are wheat mids a good substitute for hay in a beef ration?
A: No. It has energy but lacks true fiber.
Q: Is it better to use hay test results that list nutrient levels as fed or based on a dry matter basis?
A: Dry matter basis.
Q: I had two weaned calves die and wonder if it could be from bloat because they were on a pasture with 25 percent ladino clover?
A: It is probably not from the clover. Cause of death is not known for up to 80 percent of cattle deaths on farms.
Q: Why do so many farms in this area have a donkey with their cattle?
A: They may like donkeys or have them to sell or use them to ward off predators such as coyotes and dogs.
Q: At what age does a calf begin ruminating?
A: It can be as early as four to six weeks. Calves need enough roughage to be able to burp and chew. Calves still need milk. Look for standing calves that appear to be chewing gum.
Q: What should I do with high moisture hay that is too dry for haylage and has a slight tobacco smell?
A: Have it tested at a commercial laboratory. Hay with a tobacco brown color may lack protein.
Telephone numbers of area county extension centers:
Barton (417) 682-3579
Cherokee (620) 429-3849
Crawford (620) 724-8233
Jasper (417) 358-2158
Lawrence (417) 466-3102
McDonald (417) 223-4775
Newton (417) 455-9500
Ottawa (918) 542-1688
Vernon (417) 448-2560
Address correspondence to Mike Surbrugg, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail msurbrugg@joplinglobe.com.
