HOLIDAY PLANTS
Some of the most popular plants given and received over the Christmas holiday season
include Amaryllis, Poinsettia and Cyclamen.
Amaryllis bulbs can be planted as soon as they arrive.
Plant them leaving the upper half of the bulb above the soil surface.
Keep pots barely moist in a warm, dark place until growth begins. Move plants to a
bright spot out of direct sun, for flowering.
Cyclamens and Poinsettias both require a cool, moist atmosphere. Keep Poinsettias out
of drafts from vents and open windows. Cyclamens especially prefer humidity.
THE ROOTS
Successive seasons of lifting and dividing plants afford the gardener an excellent education, and eventually he or she becomes an expert.
Some roots are separated easily by hand, some by cutting, and others by sheer, brute force.
• The tight root balls of Trollius, Red-Hot-Poker, Bleeding-Hearts, Meadow-Rue, and Coreopsis, require brute force. You will have to pry them apart with two digging forks placed back to back.
• The fleshy, tap root class includes Anchusas, Delphinums, Lupines and Oriental Poppies. These tap roots have side branches and crowns that should be cut off with a sharp knife.
• The hand pulled kinds are those that consist of a number of separate crowns, such as Primrose, Daisies, Phlox, Rudbeckias, Lychnis, and Silenes. New side-growth is pulled away and saved for replanting. The worn-out hearts of the clump should be discarded.
• Those with mats of wiry roots require a surgical operation with a large, sharp knife - Achilleas, Potentillas, Salvias, Veronicas and Japanese Anemones.
NEEDLE DROP
It is a natural occurrence for needled evergreens such as pines, spruces, and yews to drop a few needles every fall, since the plants are continually putting out new growth every spring.
These droppings should be allowed to remain so that over the years, they will form a nice airy mulch that holds moisture and discourages weed growth.
TREES FROM SEED
Many kinds of trees can be grown from seed. Pods or fruits containing the seeds can be found in the woodlands or purchased from tree-seed nurseries.
Seeds of Ash, Birch, Catalpa, Dogwood, Sycamore and Black Gum can be found on the branches or on the ground beneath the trees.
Cones of Spruce, Pine and Fir have their seeds tucked under the cone scales.
Some seeds need stratification, or a cold period to break its dormancy and germinate. Sow seeds in flats and keep outdoors in a sheltered area.
FEATHERED FRIENDS
If you haven't done so already, why not set up a feeding station or two for our feathered friends this winter.
You can enjoy countless hours of just watching the antics of the birds. Throw in a squirrel or two and a couple of blue-jays and you have the makings for grand excitement.
