The holiday season is here and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or some other holiday this month, this is a special time for families and friends. One of the things most of us enjoy is decorating our houses and yards. There are many natural things in our gardens which are suitable for decorating, such as evergreen cuttings, grasses, fruit, grapevines, pine cones, dried flowers, twigs and branches, and even dried stalks of things like corn, sunflowers, etc. Spray paints and bows, candles and ornaments can be added - a little imagination required. Try tabletop trees made from foam craft cones with cinnamon sticks for a trunk and covered with leaves such as eucalyptus , citrus, magnolia or trimmings from your Christmas tree, held on with florists pins - anchored in a little plaster of paris. If you are fortunate to have an evergreen outside to decorate, the possibilities are unlimited.
Most of us buy or receive as gifts, lovely houseplants of all kinds - the most famous of which is the poinsettia - so many colors of them have been developed. Keep them in a well-lit room and avoid drafts and excess heat. A temperature range of 60 - 72 F is best. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch and discard water which seeps into the saucer. Keep these plants away from pets and children as they are toxic.
Those gift plants rated as easy to rebloom include:
African Violets - place plants in an east-facing window or under grow lights and keep soil evenly moist and humidity high, perhaps by setting pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Avoid over-watering and prevent exposure to drafts.
Holiday Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii or S. truncata) - place where it will have a half-day of bright, indirect sunlight or curtain-filtered direct window light. Keep soil moist and provide high humidity.
Those plants rated as moderately easy to rebloom are cyclamen, gardenias, amaryllis, and azalea. Those rated difficult are poinsettia and kalanchoe. All these plants need good light and careful watering - adequate water but not standing in water.
For those of us who either forget to chill some tulips for planting or just don't want to mess with it, there are species tulips - the hardy wildflower of the tulip family as opposed to the extravagant hybrid tulips bred mainly by Dutch horticulturists. These tulips may be planted in zones 8 through 10 without chilling in a cool shaded place without any special care. They are perennial and the only real requirement for their well being is well drained soil. If necessary, work organic material into the soil before planting. Recommended are the lady tulip (T. clusiana), the Candia tulip (T. saxatilis) and the Florentine tulip (T. sylvestris).
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