THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512010067
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
TO CREATE A lacy look on your Christmas tree, buy a couple of bunches of a new type of statice called ``Misty'' and tuck stems throughout your tree. This statice has such delicate flowers that its branches look like they were lightly touched with frost. GO FOR THE GREENERY
The Garden Club of Norfolk will hold its sixth annual greenery sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ and St. Luke's Church at Olney Road and Stockley Gardens in Norfolk. Balsam, single and double wreaths, roping, topiary trees, boxwood trees and plenty of bows are available. Call 481-0596
In Virginia Beach, the Brittany Points Garden Club will hold its annual Christmas greens sale Friday and Saturday in front of the Food Lion on Great Neck Road. Swags, fresh flower arrangements and bows will be for sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 498-8906. PRETTY CHRISTMAS TREES
My Christmas tree spies say that trees this year are better than usual. The dry hot summer made them tough, fall rains forced them to thicken up and an early winter hardened them off. I'm told they are fuller than last year, and prices have not gone up. Buy yours early and get it in a bucket of water. CACTI MAY DROP ITS BUDS
If flower buds are dropping off your Christmas or Thanksgiving cacti, the problem may be caused by too much water, too much nitrogen fertilizer, low light and/or high temperatures. Moving a plant from one spot to another may also cause buds to drop, especially if the relative humidity in the new area is low. HELP A SEED ALONG
From children often comes good advice. This, from 11-year-old Bonnie Anderson of Chesapeake: ``You mentioned you need to scarify or cut seeds of moonflower and then soak them, which is true. But it's very hard to cut them with a knife. I ended up cutting myself. The easiest way is to take fingernail clippers and clip off the pointed end of the seed. When when you soak the seed, it germinates easier. Although my seeds aren't ripe yet, I have some if anyone is interested. Call 482-6995.'' POISON PLANTS
This will be the last mention of moonflowers at least until next year. George McAtee of Virginia Beach sent me a printout from the Zion Canyon on moon lilies (sacred datura), which in part reads: ``Datura has been used for centuries for its chemical properties including atropine and scopolamine. Roots, stems, leaves, seeds and especially the flowers contain these alkaloids. Ingesting any part of the plant can be quite deadly.''
Always be aware that the datura (moonflower) is poisonous. The moonflower vine, much like a large white morning glory, (Calonyction) is not poisonous. Gardeners call both plants ``moonflowers,'' which tends to be confusing.
McAtee has some datura seeds he'll trade for small azaleas for a new bed he's planting. Call him at 420-6772. MORE MOONFLOWERS TO SHARE
Christian Thomas grows the moonflower vine along her own and neighbors' porch railings and fences. She says the huge white blossoms have a wonderful scent. She has seeds to share if you'll send a stamped, addressed envelope to 509 Waukesha Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23509. Call 853-1513.
Dekeer A. Safier-Hone writes: ``I've been growing moonflowers, the vine, for several years and have plenty of seeds to share. Bring your own baggie to my shop, The Artisan's, 4358 Holland Road (Holland Plaza Shoppes) in Virginia Beach. Call 431-454. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.''
Also the Griffiths, 2249 Maple St., Virginia Beach, 23451, have moonflower vine seeds to share. Call 481-1924. BIRDS WILL BE BACK
Don't be concerned if there are not many birds at your feeders this time of year. Berries and seeds in the woods and around your house are plentiful now. But keep your feeders up and filled, and the birds will soon be there. HAZARDS OF ANTIFREEZE
Veterinarian Dan Christian, writing in the Mighty Dog newsletter, says, ``Dogs and cats are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze, but just a few laps of these products containing ethylene glycol can be lethal. Signs of ethylene glycol poisoning include disorientation, dehydration and vomiting. If your pet ingests antifreeze, rush him to your veterinarian. There are a number of newer antifreeze products on the market that are made with propylene glycol and are so-called pet safe. While propylene glycol is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol, in sufficient quantities these products will also cause physical damage and, potentially, death. Your best bet is to keep all such chemicals out of your dog's reach and to wipe up any spills immediately.''
This is the time of year when antifreeze is often purchased for use in automobiles or preserving greens. If you have a pet, be careful with antifreeze around the house. by CNB