Re: unusual holiday plants?

**"* M* <c*@ns.sympatico.ca>**

Hi C.L.
    Pasted below is part of an article I wrote for last Christmas. The plants aren't totally unusual but at least they're not spray painted poinsettias. Hope it helps!
Cheers
Carol

Plants are always welcome gifts at Christmas, especially when they are relatively inexpensive (for the giver), beautiful and easy to care for (for the recipient). Poinsettias and Christmas Cacti are traditional plant gifts, but there are other possibilities as well. One of the most interesting to observe, is the Amaryllis, especially if it is given as a gift to grow. They are often packaged complete with bulb, pot, and growing medium, and will go from box to bloom in two to three months. The plant requires bright light - but direct sunlight will cause the bloom to fade - and prefers a cool temperature at night. The soil must be consistently moist while the plant is in bloom.

For a smaller home a Kalanchoe is a perfect gift, and probably the most economical. It is still a relatively new plant, with its current popular form being available only since the 1980s. Kalanchoes are succulents with fleshy, wide, oval-shaped leaves, and the numerous petite flowers appear in masses on top of the stems. They come in a whole range of colours including yellow, orange, pink, purple, white and just recently bi-colored varieties. They prefer cool nights, and a sunny exposure during the winter. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings and fertilize lightly once a month. Cyclamen is a personal favourite of mine because with a little care it will bloom for 2 - 3 months. Often the leaves are subtly variegated and the flowers come in a range of colours - white, red, pink, and lavender. They also prefer cool nights, and bright, indirect light during the day. The soil needs to be kept moist, and watering from the bottom is best, but do not let the plant stand in water. Fertilize every two weeks. Removing spent flowers will keep new blooms coming.

An evergreen gift is the Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). It can be carefully decorated and used as a Christmas tree inside, and set out on the patio or balcony in the summer. It needs bright, indirect light, with cool temperatures (perhaps plants are trying to tell us something about our oil/electric usage). Water well when the soil feels dry, but do not let the plant stand in water.

A relatively new and different seasonal plant, the Christmas Pepper (Capsicum annuum), has dark green foliage with colourful red and yellow edible miniature - and hot - peppers. The plant can take warmer (21-24C) daytime temperatures with slightly cooler ones at night. Do not over water, the soil surface can be allowed to become dry between waterings. Fertilize every two weeks and keep in direct sunlight. With good care the pepper should keep producing for 8 - 12 weeks.

When choosing the gift keep in mind the recipient's décor. What are the colours? Is it formal or casual? How bright are the rooms? A little forethought can make the offering very personal. Packaged in a special pot or tied with a beautiful bow, with care instructions attached, a live plant is a long lasting gift. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: C.L. Fornari 
  To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum 
  Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 5:46 PM
  Subject: [GWL] unusual holiday plants?

  I'm working on an article about alternative/new/unusual holiday plants -  I need suggestions of plants for those who don't want the traditional choices....other than spray painted poinsettias, have you seen anything new popping up in the greenhouses?
  with thanks,
  C.L.

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