|
Winter
Wonders
by W.Holidays
Seasonal
Plants and Flowers
Amaryllis
This show-stopper is native to the Peruvian Andes. Indirect sun is
required when the bulb starts to flower. Cooler conditions will help
the flowers to last longer. Allow 1" of soil around bulb, leave the
upper 3rd of the bulb exposed. Water well after potting but keep the
soil on the dry side until root growth has started. Keep moist once it
begins to grow leaves. After flowering, place outside for summer
growth. In the fall, when leaves die down, store in a cool dry location
until growth appears in late fall or winter.
Christmas Cactus
Thses plants have jointed stems with purplish anthers. The flowers may
be white, shades of pink, red or orange. To bloom, this plant needs
shorter, colder days. Keep in a dark, cool place (below 60°F)
and you should have flowers for 10 -12 weeks.
Christmas Pepper
Also known as the Ornamental Chilli, this
plant is native to Central and South America. The miniature peppers of
red, purple, and cream are quite attractive. The plant should be keep
indoors after September. It needs cooler temperatures and moist soil.
Water daily if needed.
 Crocus
They will grow in water like the Hyacinth. Place bulb in a hyacinth
vase with the bottom barely touching the water. Keep in a cool dark
place for root development (the back of the refrigerator works well).
Then bring into a well-lighted room to flower. To start in soil, plant
in shallow containers so that the top of the bulbs are just barely
covered with soil. Store at 48°F to 50°F for 8-10 weeks
then bring into a well-lighted room.
Daffodil
Select double-nosed bulbs with undamaged tips. Place 5-6 bulbs in a
5-6" bulb pan. Set bulbs so that the tips are one inch below the rim of
the pot. Fill with soil to that level. Store pot for 6-8 weeks. Remove
from storage when roots begin to come through the drainage hole and the
tops start to grow. Then place in a cool basement window or spare room.
When shoot growth takes on a green color move to a forcing temperature
of 60°F. High light and cool temperatures are essential for
this plant.
Hyacinth
Plant in a special hyacinth vase, available at all nurseries in autumn.
Place bulb in vase with the bottom barely touching the water. Keep in a
cool dark place for root development (the back of the refrigerator
works well). Then bring into a well-lighted room to flower. To start in
soil plant 3 bulbs in a 6" bulb pan, the necks of bulbs just showing.
Store at 48°F-55°F for 10 weeks.
Paper-white
Narcissus
Easiest of all the bulbs to grow. No storage is required. Plant several
bulbs in a shallow dish filled with pebbles. Neck of bulbs should show.
Water. Flowers should appear in 4-6 weeks.
Poinsettia
Native to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia is a Christmas
beauty. Place in full sun, the leaves may drop if it doesn't have
enough light. They may also drop if the air is too humid. Keep the soil
moist. With proper care this plant should last for months.
Tulips
Pot 5-6 bulbs in a 5" bulb pan. The bulbs placed on the outside should
have the flat side set to the inside so the first leaves that develop
will hang over the edge of the pan. Store the potted bulbs at
46°F to 48°F. Plants started in September and October
will flower in January and February.
|
