Preserving Poinsettias With Some Care, It’s Possible To Bring Back The Red Color Of Your Plant Year After Year
Q. What should I do with the poinsettia I kept from last Christmas? It is huge and green now. Judy Gazaway, Springfield, Mo.
A: A few months after Christmas, a poinsettia will lose its distinctive color, becoming a dull green. It is possible to help it turn red the following year - however, it’s too late for your plant. To be red in time for Christmas, a poinsettia must have 14 hours a night of total darkness starting Oct. 1.
The process of giving a plant the darkness it needs isn’t difficult - simply place it in a dark closet or under a box each night - but it must be executed perfectly in order to succeed. A moment of light at the wrong time will confuse the plant, and you may not end up with red leaves.
The foolproof way to have colorful poinsettias for the holidays is to buy new ones each year. Throughout the Christmas season, give them six to eight hours of sun a day (but keep in mind that direct midday sun can fade the color), and keep them in a warm spot, out of drafts, but not too close to heat sources.
Water when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch, keeping it moist but not soggy.
If you plan to keep a poinsettia all year, cut it back to about 8 inches once it turns green, let it keep growing in a sunny spot (it can be moved outdoors for the summer) and feed it twice a month.
Repot the plant in June. On Oct. 1, begin giving it the long nights of darkness described above.
Q: What is the correct way to wash old lace? - June Goode, Bedford, Va.
A: I’ve collected vintage linens and lace for years and love using these exquisite old pieces.
Something with great value - monetary or sentimental - or a piece that’s damaged or very delicate may warrant a professional’s attention. One company that does wonderful work is Linens Limited (240 North Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, WI 53202; (800) 637-6334). In fact, I learned some of the techniques I use at home from it.
Almost any vintage piece will benefit from an overnight soak in clean, tepid water. This rehydrates the fabric and rinses away old detergent.
Handle the fabric carefully when it’s wet so it doesn’t tear from its own weight. For big pieces, line the tub with a towel first and use the towel to lift the wet linen.
Fabric frequently yellows with age. If your lace isn’t as white as you would like, soak it in a solution of 2 gallons of hot water to a half cup of nonchlorine bleach (also called dry oxygen bleach) until the fabric looks brighter.
Often, we don’t know the origin of a spot or stain on vintage linens, but here are a few treatments to try. A baking soda paste may lighten food stains. A mix of baking soda, mild detergent and oxygen bleach can be effective on grease stains. For rust stains, apply salt and lemon juice and set the piece out in the sun to dry.
Finally, wash the lace in hot, soapy water (use a mild soap, such as Ivory). Swish the lace gently in the water without wringing or rubbing it. Drain, and rinse well in warm water, without running the water directly onto the fabric.
Roll the lace in a white towel to absorb the excess moisture, then line-dry it or let it dry indoors on towels or a drying rack. Many people swear by drying old linens directly on the grass, claiming that a reaction between sun, air and chlorophyll in the grass helps brighten the fabric further.
Q: I’ve often heard the term “mise en place.” Can you explain exactly what it means? - Patricia Hammond, University City, Mo.
A: This French culinary term, pronounced “meez-ahn-plahs,” means “everything in place.” It refers to readying all the equipment and ingredients necessary for a recipe before you begin cooking.
In order to prepare this way, read through the entire recipe, make sure the equipment is accessible and measure out each ingredient (do any chopping or slicing now), putting each in a separate little bowl.
It may sound time-consuming, but this technique will actually end up saving time. And for some dishes, it’s essential; in many candy recipes, for example, you need to move from one step to the next quickly, and you must be prepared.
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate