If you give or receive a plant for Christmas, follow these tips for success. Of course, the tips will also work if you bought the plant for yourself!

4 Rosemary is becoming popular as an indoor plant during the Christmas season. It adds a pleasant aroma to the house, and if you cut it in the shape of a tree it looks great decorated. Rosemary is available in most garden centers and grocery stores. It thrives on neglect, simply put it in a sunny window and keep it consistently moist. Break off a piece when you need it for cooking. After a couple of months move it outside and continue to use for cooking and enjoy the fragrance.

4 Christmas cactus continues to be a popular gift. It is not too fussy if you keep it in one place. Moving it may cause the buds to drop. It prefers bright light and high humidity. Keep it away from heat sources, if it is too warm it will not bloom. Keep moist but not too wet, it is susceptible to root rot. It is easy to propagate from cuttings..

4 Poinsettias sometimes give me trouble but the tips for care are really relatively simple. Keep them away from drafty doors and windows and also from heat sources. Water is the key, soggy soil is a killer. If the plant came in a plastic wrapper remove it or poke holes in it and then place the pot in a drainage saucer. Water thoroughly until the water drains into the saucer and then remove the excess water from the saucer. If you follow these tips, the soil will be slightly moist.

4 The Norfolk Island Pine is actually a tropical and will live for years indoors with proper care. It likes high to medium light, high humidity and cool temperatures. Good ventilation is helpful. It needs even moisture but do not over water. Sporadic yellow needle clusters indicate over watering. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, from March through September.

4 Now, we need to talk about the Christmas tree. Most of us know that we need to cut a half-inch or so from the tree when we get it home. What you may not know is that the tree can drink up to a gallon of water a day! If you let the water level go below the base of the tree you are in the same situation you were in when you brought the tree home, you need to cut it again. That is not a very pleasant thought after the tree is decorated so make sure you have a large stand and keep it full. Also, you want the stand to be large enough to avoid whittling from the side of the trunk to make it fit in the stand. The outer layers of the wood are the most efficient at taking up moisture so they should not be removed.

The temperature of the water does not matter. Also, there is no proof that additives such as sugar, aspirin or soda make any difference. So keep it simple and just maintain the water level. If you keep the tree away from heat sources and keep it watered it can last up to 5-6 weeks.

With the upcoming holiday season I decided not to nag about garden chores this month …but do make sure your plants are protected with plenty of mulch before it gets too cold.

Email your questions or comments to newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com.

 

Karen O’Neal writes a monthly garden column. She is an Adams County Master Gardener.