Since the late summer, the Horticulture Club at Eastern Kentucky University has been working hard to prepare more than 1,000 poinsettias for holiday shoppers in Richmond and beyond.
The poinsettias were planted in August, according to horticulture technician John Duvall. He noted that poinsettias can be very difficult to grow, due to their particular needs., but the club has successfully grown several varieties of the plant, including newer options with speckled petals, such as Jingle Bells.
The sale of the plants is a major fundraiser for the university's Horticulture Club, which has sold the plants each holiday season for a decade. The proceeds from poinsettia sales go to trips, activities, and scholarships for horticulture students. Organizations that need to raise money can use postcard printing to reach past customers as well as new ones.
Over the years, members of the community have purchased the flowers from the students. The Center for the Arts buys the plants to decorate its space with, and a number of offices at the school purchase the plants to decorate for the holidays.
The plants are currently on sale at the EKU greenhouses and can be purchased between noon and 1:00 pm, and between 3:00 and 5:00 pm daily. Each plant costs $8. The club can accept payment by cash or check.
