Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 16, 1993 TAG: 9312160033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If possible, bring your Christmas tree into a partially-heated area, such as a basement or porch, the night before decorating. This will help it adjust gradually to the warmer temperatures in your house. Its branches will relax a little, allowing for picking the "best" side.
Christmas trees absorb between two pints and one gallon of water per day, so a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water is recommended. Check the water level daily and supply fresh water as needed. If the reservoir goes dry, a air lock can form in the trunk that can keep the tree from absorbing water again.
Low indoor humidity in winter can make cut Christmas trees dry out quickly. Before the needles start to drop from the tree, take it down. Don't try to prolong a festive feeling by endangering your home and family with a dried-out flammable tree.
Let's take a look at some other favorite decorative holiday plants:
To prolong the life of a flowering poinsettia, keep it evenly moist and protect it from being chilled or subjected to drafts. Keep it in full sunlight, between 65 and 72 degrees F.
Unusual poinsettia cultivars now on the market include: Lemon Drop, with bright yellow bracts; Pink Peppermint, which is pink with lighter speckles; and Jingle Bells, which has dark red bracts with pink flecks.
Cut poinsettias can last up to 10 days in arrangements. Congeal plant latex immediately after cutting by quickly searing the cut ends, dipping the ends in boiling water for 10 seconds or soaking the stems in ice water for several minutes.
Door ornaments can be quick and easy to make from evergreen branches. Wrap a stout wire around the butt ends of branches of several types of evergreens for contrasting color and texture, then add a large bow to cover the attachment point.
Branches of evergreen rhododendrons last for months in vases if never allowed to run out of clean water.
On your Christmas cactus, if the buds drop and the stems shrivel, look for root injury caused by dry soil.
Gift ideas for the avid indoor gardener: A set of plastic-lined wicker baskets or ceramic cache pots, a stocking filled with houseplant goodies or a gift certificate to a favorite plant shop.
For Christmas or as a housewarming gift, give a garden or landscape book to a friend with a new home.
Gifts from the garden, such as dried flowers, grapevine wreaths, pickles and preserves, can be economical but highly prized. You are limited only by your imagination.
Here's a handy tip if the weather turns snowy: Try coating your snow shovel with a nonstick cooking spray; the snow slides right off. Recoat as needed.
When out walking on a winter's day, take notice of the silhouettes of deciduous trees and shrubs. In some species, the winter form is a most distinctive and handsome feature.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.
by CNB