No, it's not Christmas!

How can two poinsettias be so different?

The one on the right looks exactly as it did when it was given to me at Christmas. It hasn't dropped a single leaf in the three months and it never looks as though it needs a drink, although I do of course water it.

The one on the left dropped all but two of its leaves the day after it arrived. I took the twiggy remains into intensive care (the kitchen window sill) and gave it lots of tlc and now it is a lovely healthy house plant. I don't suppose it will ever again turn red but who cares, I saved it!

Raining today, the garden needed it but I hate having the lights on indoors all day again.