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Show YOUR FLOWERS faAND PLANTS y Helpful Hints By Merlin Olsen The Christmas season is a time when many homes are filled with flower and plant decorations and gifts. FTD florists have some sugges-" sugges-" tions on how to get the most enjoyment from those wonderful won-derful holiday decorations. The Christmas Tree. When you get it home, use a saw to cut an inch off the bottom of the trunk before putting it in water. Then make sure to Olson keep the water container filled as long as the tree is up. Flower arrangements and centerpieces. Water them daily with tepid water and keep them away from heat and drafts. Poinsettia Plants. Poin-settias Poin-settias like bright light and should be watered thoroughly when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Discard excess ex-cess water and don't let the pot sit in water. Avoid getting water on the foliage. This traditional plant, in red, white or pink, now comes in sizes ranging from tiny plants i to large trees and will last for weeks and even months with proper care. Christmas Cactus. The holiday cactus needs high light and the soil should be moist but not saturated. The temperature should be 55 to 75 degrees Farenheit. Stop fertilizing and reduce watering water-ing during the budding period. Christmas Pepper. Avoid soaking but don't let the soil dry out. The temperature should never drop below 60 degrees Farenheit. Fertilize every two to three weeks except ex-cept during the flowering period. Evergreen Decorations (wreaths, roping, etc.). Keep evergreens away from heat so the needles don't fall too quickly. |
