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Plants

Three for the Season

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Although thoughts of Christmas conjure up pictures of snow-covered landscapes, holly wreaths and fir trees, some of the most beautiful living symbols of the holidays are native to warmer climates. The best known is the poinsettia, but there are three other delightful examples:

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergeria bridgesii) --As the green, spineless, flat-jointed stems of this plant grow, they’ll arch over the side of the pot and create a flowing quality. That impression is further enhanced by the tubular, rich red flowers that generally appear between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Christmas cactus is an epiphyte, which means it attaches itself to a host--usually a tree--but takes no sustenance from it. With that in mind, its potting material should be loose, rich and porous and contain leaf mold and sand. Grow it in the equivalent of semi-shade in as cool an area as possible. Water and feed it well, using any complete fertilizer, about every 7 to 10 days from September until it blooms. After blossoms have fallen, reduce water and fertilizer until the next September. Even during its rest period, though, the plant does need some moisture.

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Christmas cherry (Solanum pseudocapiscum)-- This native of Madeira is a member of the Nightshade family, which includes white potatoes and eggplant. Unfortunately, this foot-high plant’s tiny, tomato-red fruit is poisonous, so be careful to keep it away from small children.

Put your plant where it will get good light, but not necessarily direct sunlight. Water it well and wait until the soil is moderately dry before watering again. Keep it away from drying drafts, hot or cold. The plant should be fed only lightly while the fruit is still on the plant. After it has fallen, one source recommends, remove the plant from its pot and shake it free of its potting mix. Then repot the plant using a good, loamy potting material, and cut it back drastically. Water it well, give it a few weeks to settle in, and start regular watering--doing so when the mix is almost dry. Feed it with any complete fertilizer every two weeks until it has blossomed and its fruit has set. Take great care not to overwater.

Christmas cheer (Sedum rubrotinctum)-- This delightful little possibility for your Christmas list is a native of Mexico and is considered by some horticulturists to be a garden hybrid. It can grow to about a foot tall, and its three-quarter-inch leaves crowd along the stems of the plant. They create a fine, delicate little cluster, which--when it’s given good strong light--is suffused with a bright, coppery red.

Practically any good potting material will serve it well. Water your Christmas cheer thoroughly, and allow it to become dry before watering again. Overwatering will rot the plant’s roots and stems and destroy it quickly. Very light feedings of a fertilizer recommended for cactuses or succulents are a good idea.

With all of these plants, pests are rare, but the ones that could appear are mealybugs and scale. Consult a staff member of a local nursery for advice.

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