Are Christmas Poinsettias Really Flowers?

[Wrightwood]

[kawasaki_girl]

I kept one alive all last year without knowing exactly how to take care of it. I got instructions now and will keep my new one and see if I can make it re-bloom (or turn red I guess).
My original one is still alive I just chopped it down short and keep it watered in the garage... will see if it comes back in spring.

[ForestGal]

I won a very pretty, real-looking artificial one in the raffle at the Historical Society Christmas party on Dec. 2.  I was warned to NOT water it or it would die.     So far, so good.

Seriously, I've managed to keep live ones until July or even August in some years, but I don't have the patience to pamper them properly.

A little off topic, but along the same line, my Christmas cactus, which I've had for about 4 years now, usually blooms before Thanksgiving.  This year, there is nary a bud.  Anyone know what might have gone wrong?

[Joe Schmoe]

Maybe well timed fertilizer is the key.  I'm *no* green thumb but I never would have expected some of the cactus I have would respond so well to fertilizer.

[Chesslike]