Issue Date: December 7, 2003

More this week: Part 1: Making gifts of memories Part 2: Pet gifts

HOLIDAY IDEAS PART 3

Make the beauty last longer
A few simple steps can keep your seasonal plants vibrant.
By Fran Sorin

Holiday plants add beauty and color to our homes during the season, but getting them to last can be daunting. Here are some tips to ensure success:

Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant, representing more than 85% of the potted plants sold during the holiday season. When buying them, choose plants with deep green foliage and completely colored bracts (the modified leaves that people think are flowers). Make sure the true flowers, which are at the base of the bracts, are green- or red-tipped and look fresh. If they are, the bloom will last longer.

At home, put the plants in a sunny spot. If you plan to keep the pots wrapped in foil, place saucers under the plants and punch holes in the foil to drain excess water. Water only when the plants are dry. Poinsettias thrive in daytime temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees and as low as 55 degrees at night. If the temperature is too high, they won't last as long. Keep them away from windows and heaters.

The amaryllis bulb, which originated in South America, is one of the easiest bulbs to bring to bloom. Select large, firm bulbs, and use a pot with good drainage; plant the bulbs with their lower third below the soil line and place them in a sunny, warm location. After planting, firm the soil around the bulbs so they are secure. Water sparingly until the first shoots appear, then continue to water whenever the soil is dry, and fertilize monthly. Once the bulbs have flowered, within six to eight weeks, move them to a cooler location with less direct sunlight to help prolong the flowering period.

After the amaryllis has finished blooming, place it in a sunny window and continue to water and feed monthly. During the summer, bulbs may be placed outside in a semi-shady location (keep them in their containers). Once the leaves begin to turn yellow, stop fertilizing and cut back on watering. In early September, before the first frost, bring the amaryllis indoors. Move the bulbs to a cool, dry (do not water them during this phase) and dark location until new growth emerges, usually within two months. This is a good time to either re-pot your amaryllis if needed (usually every three to four years) or add some new potting mix to the top 2 inches of soil, combined with a granular fertilizer. As in the previous year, place all of the bulbs in a sunny position, water and fertilize. This simple cycle of care will keep your amaryllis magnificent for years to come.

The Christmas cactus, a favorite houseplant originally from Brazil, does best when grown in potting mixes formulated for cactuses and succulents. It thrives in bright, indirect light during the winter and prefers a cool temperature, around 60 degrees. To maintain a humidity level of 50% to 60%, put a vase of water near the plant. Keep it away from drafty doors and heating vents.

If buds start dropping, it could be due to cold, lack of humidity, insufficient or excessive sunlight, or overwatering. The rule of thumb is "less is more" -- water the cactus only when it's bone-dry.

If you want your Christmas cactus to re-bloom after the holiday season, give it a month's rest. Place it in a cool room (50 degrees) and water minimally. In spring, place it in a bright room and begin to water it. After the danger of frost has passed, the cactus can be taken outside to a shady or semi-shady location. In September, bring it back indoors, reduce the watering and cover it for 12 hours each night until buds start to appear. Once buds develop, uncover the cactus and begin to water more frequently. This plant thrives when rootbound, so re-pot only when absolutely necessary (a good time is late winter). Prune your cactus after it blooms to help encourage healthier and more expansive growth.

That doesn't sound so difficult, does it? Now you can enjoy your holiday plants long after you've put away the rest of your decorations.

Fran Sorin is the host of a weekly gardening radio show for Infinity Broadcasting. She last wrote about enjoying your fall garden.