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In this issue for November 2006:
CARE OF HOLIDAY PLANTS
ANNUAL GARDEN EXPO COMING IN FEBRUARY WINTER AS A TIME TO PLAN FOR SPRING FEATURED PROGRAMS ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE CARE OF HOLIDAY PLANTS 
Get the most out of holiday plants through proper selection and care. Chose healthy plants with green leaves and about one-third of the blossoms in flower, one-third beginning to open and one-third still in the bud. Plants at this stage of maturity produce a good display over a longer period of time. Protect plants when moving them. In cold weather, cover plants with paper or plastic, or place in a box for insulation against the cold. Move plants in a warm car and never leave plants in cold cars. After flowering has stopped, enrich with a diluted solution of houseplant fertilizer. Move the plant to a sunnier spot and let the soil dry out slightly between watering. This is also a good time to transplant pot-bound plants. Here are some additional recommendations for common holiday and gift plants. Kalanchoe are a type of succulent related to the jade plant. Remove faded flowers and the plant may rebloom. This plant prefers fairly dry soil, so avoid over watering. Poinsettias like a bright, sunny location with temperatures in the 60s. They do not tolerate drafts, so place them away from radiators, fans, open windows and doorways. Water regularly and enough to soak the soil to the bottom of the pot, but do so only when it feels dry. Don’t let the poinsettia sit in water. Individual azalea flowers last five to 10 days but the plants can continue to flower for two to eight weeks, depending on how many flower buds are on the plant. Remove faded flowers, fertilize periodically with houseplant fertilizer. In spring, place outdoors in shaded location. In fall, move plant indoors to a cool, sunny spot for best chance of reblooming. For a cyclamen plant, continue to tend it until the leaves naturally start to dry, stop watering and allow the plant a rest. Move it to the basement or a cool dry place. After three months, repot the cyclamen and start watering and fertilizing. Place in a sunny window and the plant should begin to grow and bloom again. For more information, check UW-Extension Cooperative Extension InfoSource© ANNUAL GARDEN EXPO COMING IN FEBRUARY  Blooming growth and blooming ideas will be a part of Garden Expo 2007. Make plans to attend Feb. 9 through 11 in the Exhibition Hall of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. There will be more than 100 educational opportunities through seminars like "Correct Planting and Mulching Methods," "Gardening With Ferns and Mosses" and "A Dozen Herbs You Can Grow in Your Garden." Also, enjoy shopping the vendors of outdoor power equipment, supplies and decorative items. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about plants and pests. Also, make time to stop at the WPT booth to talk with Shelley Ryan, producer and host of The Wisconsin Gardener.
WINTER AS A TIME TO PLAN FOR SPRING  As winter winds blow, thoughts turn to spring. Winter is a good time to plan, though. For a good overview of landscaping ideas, check UW-Extension Cooperative Extension InfoSource© For a resource on plants to use in landscaping in the Upper Midwest, look at www.midwestlandscapeplants.org/ Finally, consider a gardening journal as a tool. Many varieties are available and many include tips and a planting guide The Madison Area Master Gardeners Association offers one such journal. Contact them at P.O. Box 259318, Madison, WI 53725. The cost is $13.95 with a $2 shipping fee and $1 for each additional copy. FEATURED PROGRAMS Wisconsin Public Television is conducting its winter membership drive Dec. 2 through Dec. 10. Program schedules will vary so check www.wpt.org/ for current information.2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 The Wisconsin Gardener "The Winter Garden." Producer/Host Shelley Ryan learns about decorative peppers. www.wpt.org/garden/ Funding for The Wisconsin Gardener is provided, in part, by Ariens Co., www.ariens.com/ 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 The Wisconsin Gardener "Sticks and Twigs." Learn about pruning trees and shrubs. www.wpt.org/garden/ Funding for The Wisconsin Gardener is provided, in part, by Ariens Co., www.ariens.com/ 2 p.m. Saturday Dec. 16, 23 and 30 Cultivating Life This program provides easy demonstrations of how to connect home and garden into one lifestyle. www.cultivatinglife.com/ 10:30 a.m. Saturday Dec. 16, 23 and 30 P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Ideas on how to blend indoor and outdoor living spaces. www.pallensmith.com 2 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17 and 24 The Victory Garden Host Michael Weishan tours gardens and offers tips. www.pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarden/ 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Smith shares time-saving holiday recipes with ties to the garden and provides interesting history on traditional holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and Kwanzaa. He also shows how to use the best from the garden indoors during this magical time of year. www.pallensmith.com 1 – 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 A Marathon of Wisconsin-focused programs, from northern scenery to Wisconsin's birds, produced by Wisconsin Public Television. www.wpt.org/whats_on/index.cfm ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER How to Subscribe How to Unsubscribe | |||
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