A peculiar aspect of poinsettias is their ability to benefit from phytoplasma, a type of plant
bacteria that can cause disease in plants. For the vast majority of plants, phytoplasma is
detrimental to their health. However, the United States Department of Agriculture AgResearch
Magazine explains that phytoplasma \u201ctriggers the formation of axillary branches in a process
called free-branching.\u201d This shift allows poinsettias to grow outward rather than upward,
creating a fuller-blooming plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/mu-regional-pulse\/files\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10.52.26\u202fAM.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Ballweg also covered the generic topic of Christmas trees, informing her audience that the
tradition originated around the winter solstice. It was the Germans who brought this concept to
America, but it was not immediately accepted by the Puritans at the time. Due to the barbaric
nature of bringing the outdoor elements into the home, the Puritans were wary of the intentions
surrounding this habit. The Puritans also felt that the origins of this tradition were not aligned
with Jesus\u2019s birth, and this led to some cities banning the use of a Christmas tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Times have changed, however, as Ballweg mentioned that three-fourths of modern American
households have a Christmas tree. Due to the limits of supply, climate, and the economy, only
one-fourth of Americans use a live tree. The Ohio Christmas Tree Association says that some of
the most common Christmas tree species in Ohio are Canaan firs, Scotch pines, Fraser firs, and
Douglas firs. Ballweg shared that in general, blue spruce trees are on the decline because of a
fungal disease that is present in many of the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/mu-regional-pulse\/files\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10.53.17\u202fAM-1024x746.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Ballweg ended the main portion of her presentation with the topic of \u201cholly,\u201d which consists of
over 700 different species and thrives in tropical and temperate zones. Ballweg chose to focus on
holly from the Aquifoliaceae family. This plant is also a dioecious plant, meaning there are both
male and female plants. Nikki Tilley, from Gardening Know How, stated, \u201cIf you don’t have at
least one male within close proximity of a female, pollination will not occur. As a result, there
will be no berries on holly. It takes just one male to pollinate several female plants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/mu-regional-pulse\/files\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-03-at-10.53.59\u202fAM.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A few other common holiday plants were given their due as well; the Christmas cactus,
mistletoe, the yule log, and chestnuts were each accompanied by a brief description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that 2024 is coming to a close, students can stay updated on events at the Conservatory in
the new year via Facebook, and on X by following @MURConservatory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"