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Growing poinsettias not easy in Florida climate, but people still seek them here at Christmas

An audio slideshow of poinsettias at UF can be seen here.

Poinsettias have long been associated with the holiday season.

University of Florida’s Environmental Horticulture Department Jim Barrett said people have grown to be nostalgic about them.

Blake Hunter, head grower for the University of Florida’s Horticulture Club, said growing poinsettias in Florida faces one big issue -- temperature. Green houses help control their growth.

The University of Florida’s Horticulture Club holds a poinsettia sale each year. At this year's sale, Gainesville residents Karen Scarborough and Mary Ellen Vanderburke went to check out what the school had to offer and were sure they were going to leave with some poinsettias of their own.

Poinsettias are usually used as decorations around the home, but Barrett said the plants should be put in a bright place close to a window as soon as possible.

Denise is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.