Choosing a Quality Christmas Tree and Keeping It Fresh
There are some guidelines that you can use to select a quality tree this season. Select a tree with a healthy green appearance and good fragrance. A fresh tree has few brown needles.
The needles should be flexible, not brittle.
Run a branch through your hand. The needles should stay on. If needles are easily knocked off, the tree may be drying out. Very few green needles should be shed when the tree is shaken lightly or the stump is gently bumped on the ground.
If you are not setting the tree up right away, store it in a cool area away from wind and sun. Make a fresh cut on the base of the trunk, removing a one inch thick slice. Place the cut end in a bucket of water.
Once the tree is indoors make another fresh, one inch thick cut on the base of the trunk. Place the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least a gallon of water. Use plain water in the stand; additives are not needed. Keep the cut end of the trunk below the water line. If the water drops below the cut end, sap may seal the cut in 4-6 hours.
The tree may absorb as much as a gallon of water in the first 24 hours; and one or more quarts per day after that. Keep the tree away from drafts and heat sources. A fresh tree, with proper care, may last as long as 5 weeks.
Poinsettias
Look for a full plant with dark green leaves and brightly colored bracts. Examine the true flowers, which are the small, round yellow parts in the center of the bracts. If they are tightly closed, it is an indicator that the plant is fresh. As the plant ages, the true flowers will open. Avoid plants that are wilted, that have faded bracts, or have lost their leaves. These plants have received improper care and will not be long lasting.
When purchasing the plant, be sure to have the store clerk wrap the plant in a paper sleeve or bag. Poinsettias are tropical plants and are subject to chilling injury at temperatures below 50°F. Do not leave the plant in a cold car while shopping, or carry it home in the trunk.
Poinsettias must be cared for properly to insure that they flower well for a long time. Water so that the planting mix is consistently moist. Do not let the soil become soggy or overly dry as this will stress the plant and decrease flowering time. A plant that has its pot wrapped in decorative foil is at risk for over-watering. Punch holes in the foil to let water drain through. Do not let the poinsettia sit in a saucer full of water.
Keep the plant in a cool room (65-70°F) during the day and drop the night temperatures another 5 degrees if possible. This will help to extend the flowering time. Place the plant where it will not be affected by hot or cold drafts.
Give the plant good light. Bright, indirect light is ideal. The plant can be placed in direct sunlight but this may increase its water needs. North facing windows get very little light and should be avoided.
Keep holiday plants in a cool room so the flowers last longer.
Water house plants carefully -- short days,furnace heat and low humidity will change their watering needs.
Start paperwhites indoor for easy, fun holiday plants.
January
Garden catalogs are here; start planning your seed order and order early to get the varieties you want.
Think about adding summer bulbs to your garden. The bulbs usually show up in stores in February, so plan now and be ready to buy when they arrive.
What's Bugging You?
Even in winter, the insects find a way to irritate us. We may find a variety of insects in our homes for different reasons. It's best to try to identify the insect and whether or not it is a problem, before we take steps to eliminate it.
There are some insects that come into the house looking for a warm spot to spend the winter. These include boxelder bugs and Asian multicolored lady bugs. Boxelder bugs are black with some red edging criss-crossing on the back of the oval body. Asian multicolored lady bugs are red-orange with black spots. They may have no spots or as many as 19.
Boxelder bugs and the Asian lady bugs are more of a nuisance than anything. You can vacuum them up and get rid of the vacuum bag in the trash. Do not smash them (boxelder make a stain, lady bugs make a stain and a stink.)
Some insects enter our house on firewood. There may be wood boring beetles or other insects inside the firewood. Once the wood is in the house and warms up, the insects may emerge. Do not bring firewood into the house until you are ready to burn it. Never treat firewood with insecticides. Burning treated wood may be hazardous to the health of the home's inhabitants.
Another type of insect that comes into the house is the pantry pest. There are a number of beetles and moths that fall into this category. These insects find their way to out food cabinets and get into our food (anything made from grain).
To prevent these insects from taking up residence, inspect things like dry pet food and bird seed. These products, especially bird food, are often contaminated with panty pests. Put pet food and birdseed in air tight containers to prevent the insect from entering the house. Also, do not purchase any grain product that is not tightly sealed, as insects may have entered an open package.
If the insects have already invaded your kitchen, a few simple steps will help get rid of them. Inspect all food packages (even those that have not been opened). Discard infested food. Foods that are not infested should be stored in airtight containers made of glass, heavy plastic or metal. Plastic food bags are not adequate for this purpose. Keeping the insects out of the food will break their life cycle. If there is no place for eggs to be laid, the adults will eventually die out.
Vacuum pantry shelves and kitchen cabinets to remove spilled food and insects that are present. Dispose of the vacuum bag.
Do not spray insecticides inside your kitchen cabinets on in the pantry. They are not needed.
Garden Tidbit
When snow piles up on evergreens, try to gently brush it off. Don't shake the branches as this may cause them to break. If the snow is frozen on the branch and will not brush off easily, it is best to let it melt naturally, to avoid damage to the tree or shrub.
