Christmas Cactus

 Last post, I talked about a popular winter plant called the Amaryllis. This week, the featured plant is another popular Christmas gift:  The Christmas cactus.

The Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera, is native to the mountains of south-eastern Brazil.  It likes shade and high humidity.  It can be recognized by its leaf-like pads and pink flowers which flower only around Thanksgiving or Christmas (hence the name).

Here are some tips for caring for your Christmas cactus:

1.  Keep away from direct sunlight, drafts, heat vents, or fireplaces.

2.  Provide a source of humidity.  You can put a tray of water next to the plant, so that the water evaporates and provides humidity.

3.  Do not  overwater.  Once a week should be enough.  And if you can, don't water from the top.  It is best to put the plant in a tray of water and allow water to seep through holes in the bottom of the container.

4.  Prune your cactus one month after blooming.  

 

I won't post here again, before Christmas, so I'd like to wish all of you who celebrate, a very Merry Christmas! 

Growing and Caring for Your Amaryllis

Amaryllis are those beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers you see around Christmas.  They can be found at your local grocery store or florist.  Red is the most popular color, but they can be pink, white, salmon, apricot, or rose.



When growing an amarylllis, select the largest bulb possible, because the amount of stalks and blooms relates directly to the bulb size.  Make sure your container is deep enough for good root development, and make sure it has good drainage.  The container doesn't have to be that big.  The diameter should be one inch larger than the bulb. Position the bulb so that at least one third of it is above the soil.  Press the soil around the bulb so that it is firm.  Then put in a warm sunny spot.  Do not fertilize until it begins to grow.


When buds appear, move the plant out of direct sunlight..  This will help prolong the blooms.  After the flowers fade, cut them off to prevent seed formation.  Do not remove the stalk until it has turned yellow.  The amaryllis needs a lot of sunlight after blooming, so be sure to put it in the brightest possible location inside.  Water when the top two inches of the soil seems dry.  Continue to fertilize.  When the danger of frost has passed, you can take your amaryllis outside, but start by placing it in the shade or indirect light.  Gradually, you can move it to an area where it can receive six hours of full sun each day.  Just be sure to bring it back inside before the danger of the first frost.




Before I go, I'd like to let you know that my book, Ten Zany Birds, is party of SCBWI's inaugural book launch party. You can like the page, comment in the guest book, and try to win one of two copies of the book (US residents only). Visit the link for details.

How to Make an Evergreen Wreath

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought I'd share with you how to make an evergreen wreath.  It's not that difficult, and the beauty and smell of them are so nice for the holidays.

1.  Pick your evergreens.  They can be collected from your yard or purchased.  Using all of the same kind gives a formal look.  Different kinds can give it more texture.  Some kinds of evergreens to consider are fir, juniper, and arborvitae.

2.  Soak your evergreens.  Cut off the bottom of each branch at an angle and soak for 24 hours in a bucket of water.  This will make the wreath last longer.

3.  Gather materials:  a wreath form, florist wire, evergreen branches, pruning sheers, and decorations like ribbons and bows.

4.  Trim evergreen branches into small, easy to work with pieces.

5.  Lay the form on a flat surface, concave side facing up to hold the evergreens.

6.  Lay a piece of evergreen on the form and loop wire around the woody stem, and then loop around the wreath form to attach.

7.  Overlap with another of the same kind of evergreen, facing the same direction and attach the same way.

8.  After your base is done, you can add other types of evergreens and decorations, such as pinecones, berries, and ribbon.

It's a good idea to make your wreath about a week before Christmas so it looks nice for the holiday.

Dey Mansion Gardens

Dey Mansion Gardens is located in Wayne, New Jersey. The Georgian-style house was constructed between 1740-1750, and served as the Revolutionary War headquarters for General George Washington (the first president of the United States). The grounds feature a blacksmith shop, herb and vegetable garden, a formal garden, the house, and a picnic area.

The house and gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to noon. Tours are available. Cost of admission is $1.00 per person.

Colonial Park Arboretum and Gardens

Colonial Park Arboretum and Gardens is located in East Millstone, New Jersey. This 144 acre arboretum features trees and shrubs that thrive in central New Jersey. There's a beautiful rose garden that contains 3,000 roses. The garden showcases a fountain surrounded by miniature and hybrid tea roses. The Perennial Garden on the grounds features a gazebo surrounded by flowering bulbs, perennials, annuals, and flowering trees and shrubs.

The gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free.


Before I go, I'd like to let you know that I am a guest on author, Virginia Wright's, blog. I'm discussing my newest book, Ten Zany Birds. Please stop by and visit!

Daniel Boone Native Gardens

Located in Boone, North Carolina, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens were opened in 1963 to nurture rare or endangered plant species. The three acres, which are maintained by the Garden Club of North Carolina, include a bog garden, fern garden, rhododendron grove, rock garden, wishing well, and a pond alongside the Squire Boone Cabin.

The garden is open daily May through October from dawn to dusk. Admission is $2.00 per person.
 

Sunken Gardens

Today's garden  is Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida. I used to live near this place, and it was one of my favorite gardens to visit. Sunken Gardens is one of the oldest in the state. It was begun in 1903 when George Turner decided to drain a five acre pond and make it a nursery. The pond was ten feet below sea level, hence the name, Sunken Gardens.

The garden has grown considerably, and now has over 4,000 varieties of tropical and subtropical plants.

The garden is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sunday noon to 4:30. Cost of admission for adults is $8.00, and for children, $4.00.


Before I go, I just want to say I'm sorry for not being very regular on this blog. I've been busy with other projects including preparing for a recital. Those who follow my other blog have seen the video clip from it. Those of you who would like to see it, can find it here.