Comanche Extension Agent Michael Berry

Poinsettia Care and Acorn Poisoning The holiday season is upon us, and a very popular house plant seen in homes and offices is the Poinsettia.

The Poinsettia is a native plant of Mexico which was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. These colorful plants are the most popular Christmas plant. Over 220 million dollars’ worth of Poinsettias are grown and sold each holiday season.

When purchasing Poinsettias there are a few things you should take into consideration. The first thing to look for is dark green foliage. You want the dark foliage to carry all the way down to the base. The red leaves on the plant are actually bracts or modified leaves, not flowers. You want to select plants which have bracts that are completely colored. The plant should be well balanced and not wilted or drooping. If the Poinsettias have been crowded for long periods of time it can cause premature bract loss. The last selection tip is to look at the true flower. These flowers are located at the base of the colored bracts. They should be green or red-tipped. If they have yellow pollen on them, they are a more mature plant and may not last as long.

After you have purchased the poinsettia of your choice, do not expose it to chilling winds while transporting it home. Place the plant in indirect sunlight and remove the foil wrapping or punch holes in the bottom so water can drain. This will keep root rot from setting in and killing your Poinsettia. The Poinsettias need to be provided temperatures between 68-72 degrees F. Try to keep the plant away from drafty areas or excessive heat. Water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch and do not use any fertilizer until after the blooming season.

Acorn Poisoning Many cattle graze pastures and rangeland that also contain oak trees, with this year’s forage shortages, there is the potential threat of cattle consuming acorns. Acorn poisoning is usually not an issue unless forage is short, and cattle get a little hungry. However, this is not always the case. Cattle are curious and if there are lots of acorns, they are likely to try them. For whatever reason cattle like acorns and once they learn to eat them, they are hooked and will seek them out.

The tannins in the acorns are what can cause gastrointestinal issues, kidney failure, and death in cattle. Often cattle that have been consuming acorns will have very dark, black, or bloody manure. Typically, they will be dehydrated, will have a loss of appetite, weakness, and will usually just appear poorly. It is not uncommon for cattle to die if allowed to continued access to acorns.

There are no good treatment options for cattle that have been feeding on acorns to the point that they are exhibiting more serious symptoms.

If caught early, removal from the field or trap that has the acorns is the best option. Keeping adequate quality forage out for your cattle will often keep them from ever eating acorns in the first place. Later in the season acorns become less palatable, and cattle are less likely to eat them.

Cattle are not the only livestock that have issues with acorns- sheep have a similar liking for acorns and exhibit the same symptoms as cattle.

Like cattle, sheep can die from acorn poisoning if not caught early. Goats, horses, and other livestock can also get acorn poisoning, but it appears to be much less likely than in cattle and sheep.