GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY

December 10, 2005

• Prolong the life of holiday season gift plants by providing proper care. Check to see if the pot wrap has plugged up the bottom drainage. Don’t over water. Keep out of drafts from heating vents and opening doorways. Fertilizer is seldom needed the first few months.
• Use good pruning practices when selecting Christmas greenery from landscape plants. Don’t destroy the natural form and beauty of the plant.
• Want to start cuttings of your favorite Christmas cactus? As soon as it has finished blooming, select a cutting with 4 or 5 joints, break or cut it off, and insert the basal end into a pot of moderately moist soil. Place it on a windowsill or other brightly lit area. The cuttings should be rooted within 3 to 4 weeks.