Time To Offer Holiday Plants Tender Care
I thought my holiday plants had made it through the season without any casualties, but no such luck. A lovely salmon poinsettia fell victim to overwatering. Its leaves and bracts drooped pathetically, usually a sign of thirst. Inadvertently it had been watered while sitting in its decorative sleeve. The pool of water that collected quickly began to drown the roots. Perhaps by letting the soil dry out completely and with a bit of judicious pruning, I can coax a few new leaves to sprout. But I am afraid this specimen is a candidate for the top of the compost pile.
Lesson to be learned: Though poinsettias thrive in moist soil, they cannot tolerate soggy feet. As I have written, time and time again, always remove the decorative sleeve when watering this or any other plant. Obviously, I need to heed my own advice.
With that one exception, the rest of the holiday plants seem to have fared quite nicely considering they, too, spent a few weeks under less-than-desirable conditions - too much water, too little water, low light or worse, no light. It’s their turn for a bit of tender care.
Cyclamen: This is definitely one of the most popular holiday plants, and for good reason. The flowers last from September through March and come in many shades of red, pink, lilac and white. They can be purchased as tall 9-inch plants or as minis at 5 inches. With special care, this plant can live for many years.
Cyclamen like it cool, especially at night. They prefer filtered light, never direct sunlight and they enjoy high humidity. A bright, north-facing window is great. Leaves that develop dry spots and withered edges are usually the result of direct sunlight. The most important factor for the longevity of a cyclamen is proper watering practices.
It needs to dry out between waterings. When watering it, water carefully near the edge of the pot or better yet, from the bottom. The top of the tuber or crown should never be wet. A soggy crown may rot and the plant may die.
Fertilize with half-strength fertilizer only every other week.
As summer approaches, the plant will stop flowering and the leaves may eventually yellow and drop. Once the cyclamen has shed all its flowers and leaves, tuck it away in a shady area in the garden. Give it a bit of water now and then, never letting it completely dry out. Once fall arrives, new leaves and flowers should develop.
If gray mold attacks the flowers, stems and leaves, there is nothing that can be done. The plant should be destroyed, and not put in the compost.
Cyclamen are sensitive to many sprays. Before spraying, always read the pesticide label to make sure cyclamen are listed.
Greenhouse azalea: One question that is asked year after year: “Can the flowering azalea we purchase during the holidays be planted outside?” No. This is a forced greenhouse plant that is not hardy for our region. However, with special care, it can be kept alive and blooming indoors for many years.
The azalea likes to be in a cool spot where it can enjoy 12 to 14 hours of bright light, even direct sunlight. Since our winter days are so short, supplemental lighting is always beneficial.
Like the cyclamen, watering practices are crucial to an azalea’s health. They are grown in a peat moss mixture. If the peat is allowed to dry out, it can be very difficult to rewet. To avoid this potential problem, never let the plant dry out.
But regular watering may not be adequate. I have seen azaleas wilt and drop their leaves and flowers even though the root ball seems moist. The problem usually lies with the inner core of the root ball. Because the root ball is so tight, water has a difficult time penetrating the inner core. If the core dries out, the plant suffers from lack of water and nutrients. If this happens, tap the root ball out of the pot and set it in a pail of warm water for about one hour. Better yet, cut or score the root ball in two or three places, gently loosen the root system and repot the plant in a self-watering container.
Self-watering containers can be purchased in various colors and sizes from most garden centers. Transplant into a container one size larger than the original container. If the azalea is in a 6-inch pot, transplant into an 8-inch pot. By keeping the water reservoir filled with water, the azalea should absorb all the moisture it needs.
Special note: The Kootenai County Master Gardeners will kick off its third annual Horticulture Workshop at Templin’s Resort in Post Falls, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The $15 fee includes lunch and three excellent lectures: “Water Gardens” with Karen VanVoorks, “Attracting Butterflies to the Garden” with master gardener Sue Stallings and “Attracting Desirable Wildlife to the Garden” with Beth Paragamian. It is always a fun day. Please call (208) 667-6426 to pre-register.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review