A Christmas tree tonic
We wish you a safe and happy holiday. Let’s concentrate here
on
”
safe,
”
since people can get pretty careless spreading holiday cheer
around the house.
A Christmas tree tonic
We wish you a safe and happy holiday. Let’s concentrate here on “safe,” since people can get pretty careless spreading holiday cheer around the house.
Take that pretty Christmas tree, for starters.
A cut tree sucks up a lot of water during its time indoors, but there is an irrigation water recipe that will help preserve your cut tree. To a gallon of hot water add two cups of light corn syrup, one-half cup chelated iron and four teaspoons chlorine bleach. Shake and stir well. Prepare this solution and let it cool at room temperature.
Then saw an inch off the trunk bottom to expose fresh wood that will take up the solution quickly. Anchor the tree in its container and pour in the solution. Check the water level each day and add more as needed. Never let the cut surface dry out.
If your tree is already in a stand with water, mix up the solution and add it to the water reservoir in the coming days. Better late than never.
A tree that has no water will dry out, drop its needles and die very quickly (and will be a fire hazard) compared to one that has a steady supply of moisture.
Planning to decorate a live Christmas tree indoors this year and then plant it outdoors? Choose a smaller size, as it will adapt better than a more mature one.
After you bring the tree home, water it well and store it in an unheated garage for two or three days as a “half way” spot until you move it indoors. Keep the root ball moist and the boughs misted. Scatter a few ice cubes on the soil surface to slowly seep into the entire root ball. Limit its time indoors to a maximum of seven days – fewer if the house is very warm.
Move the tree outside again to its “half way” spot for a few days to readapt it to the outdoors. The longer you enjoy the tree in the warm house, the longer it will need to readapt to outdoor conditions.
Although green garlands on the fireplace mantel may look pretty, they are a fire hazard waiting to happen. Never use live greenery on the fireplace mantel. In fact, don’t drape it with fake stuff either. Whatever you use on the mantel set it back from the edge so if your flames accidentally swoosh up the face of the fireplace, it won’t set fire to whatever is on top.
When getting ready for Santa’s drop down the chimney, clear out the ashes. Let the ashes cool down 24 hours before removing them from the fireplace. Put them in a metal bucket, and place the bucket in an open space away from the house. I usually set my ashes in the middle of the back lawn, with nothing else close by. Don’t set the bucket of ashes near the house, even if you believe they are no longer warm. Put the bucket on the curb for trash pickup. Or, wait a week – yes, a full week – and then put them in the green stuff can. Or, work them into the compost pile after a week’s wait.
You might want to forego the fireplace altogether. One of the prettiest treatments is to first clear out the old cold ashes, remove the screen, then set pots of red poinsettias in the opening for a gorgeous focal point.
Did I mention candles? Yes, flickering candles are another traditional sign of the holiday, but they are dangerous if used carelessly. One tip is to simply avoid using candles with live greenery. Use the tiniest little holiday lights with the greenery and save the candles for the dining room table. Be especially cautious if small children are around. Those candles are so appealing.
When you take down your tree — and yes, it is going to be dry no matter how much you try to keep it watered – take the tree outside. Don’t try to burn the tree in the fireplace – another fire hazard because the dry needles burn hot and quick.
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A Reader Wants to Know: My houseplants don’t look very perky. The more I water them, the more they drop their leaves. Do houseplants get a virus like people do? Mary Anne M., Hollister
Joan Says: It’s possible for plants to get disease, but the clue to what’s ailing your plants come from your statement “the more I water.” Your houseplants are going dormant, just like plants outdoors. Plants need this rest, so stop feeding them and water them less frequently – not more.
Also, be sure they are not getting blasted with hot air from a heater vent or fireplace. Plants close to windows may get too much cold air at night, so move them or provide a shield between them and the window. The most comfortable temperature range for indoor plants is 65 to 75 degrees, with extremes of 60 and 80 degrees. Anything more is too hot, or too cold.
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Tip of the Week: Provide feeding stations for winter’s hungry birds and keep them well-supplied with seeds, suet and water. Later in spring and summer, they will return the favor by eating the garden’s undesirable insects.
