POST FALLS - Students in the greenhouse class at New Vision High have been growing poinsettias since September and they're ready to release the color.

The school's 17th annual poinsettia sale will be held today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school at 205 W. Mullan Ave. It will continue during those hours on Thursday and Friday if there are plants left over.

The class has about 200 plants for sale. Larger plants cost $12 and smaller tri-color arrangements $5.

The school's plants have been grown without using pesticides.

"They're taken care of in our greenhouse," said student Evan Larkin.

The class donates some plants to the library, Meals on Wheels program and nursing homes. Some are also used as table centerpieces during the Lions Club's annual dinner at the senior center and sold at the end of the night.

"We're also helping the community by giving it free plants," senior Nathan Hawkins said.

Students fertilize and water the plants, "pinch" deformed leaves to keep the plants symmetrical, design posters for the hallway and assist the public during the sale. It's a popular electives class taught by Bill Dean.

"You get to be with your friends and you learn a lot about plants," Hawkins said. "It's a nice class to end your day on."

Dean said the recent arctic front had him and his students on edge.

"We turned up the heat in the greenhouse and crossed our fingers," Dean said. "All it would have taken was a power outage to lose it all."

Dean believes the tri-color pots are as vibrant as they've ever been.

"The kids have done a real good job," Dean said. "Some of them may even look better than our premium plants."

The class hasn't raised its prices for several years despite the economy.

"We make just enough to pay for the class or repair the greenhouse and have a pizza party at the end of the year," Dean said.