Now that winter is here we will be indoors most of the time and house plants improve this environment by helping to purify the air we are breathing and beautifying our surroundings. Consider having one or more of the holiday plants in our home, office or restaurant. There are several varieties that many of us will only see at this time of the year. Here are a few varieties to look for here in the Miami Valley: Christmas Cactus, Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Amaryllis and the ever popular Poinsettia. These plants brighten not only our homes but churches and shopping malls at this time of the year. They make a fine gift for a friend or a house warming gift for the host that will last for weeks and many times until spring.

Here are some things to consider to keep them growing well so they can be enjoyed where we live and work. They will do well when given adequate light, moderate temperatures and are watered regularly. Proper watering is likely the most challenging aspect of keeping plants healthy in the home or wherever you choose to enjoy them. No need to be concerned about fertilizing for the first 6 weeks or so. In order to keep your plants growing healthy, avoid keeping the soil either too wet or too dry. What we want to do is to try and avoid these extremes by watering well when needed and then waiting a couple of days before watering again. Be sure the plant has good drainage and doesn’t sit in water for more than a few minutes, pour excess water out of the saucer or the roots will suffer from staying wet too long and begin to deteriorate. One way to tell if your plants need to be watered is to use the “one knuckle” test. Using your index finger, place it into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil feels damp to the touch and the soil tends to stick to your finger, the soil is wet enough and the plant should not be watered. Another way to tell if the plant needs watering is to pick it up, checking the weight. After some experience it becomes rather simple to tell if a plant needs to be watered by how heavy the plant feels and whether it needs to be watered or if it can wait another day or longer.

Normally, there is no problem with insects at this time of the year so no need to be concerned about this now. Enjoy these beauties and remember someone special with a “living” gift that expresses the true meaning of Christmas.

Go to meadowview.com or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your question or comments.

31 years of growing

Meadow View Growers

www.meadowview.com

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First Group 2x2
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