Caring for Various Holiday Plants
Norfolk Island Pine
Light: bright, indirect. Water: Keep evenly moist. Water
less frequently during winter but don't let the soil dry out completely.
Temperature: 45°-75°F. At higher temperatures the plant
will require higher humidity than most people can provide.
Fertilization: Lightly in summer. Don't fertilize at all in fall,
winter or early spring. These are slow growing plants so don't try to
force a lot of new growth by fertilizing.
Florist Cyclamen
Light: Not fussy about light while blooming. Water: Let
the surface of the soil dry slightly. Never allow the plant to sit in water
for longer than 10 minutes or so at a time. Cyclamen is susceptible to
crown rot if watered over the crown or allowed to sit in water for long
periods. To water the plant pour the water around the crown or stand
the plant in water for 10 minutes and then allow the plant to drain.
Temperature: 45°-65°F, the flowers will not last very long
unless high humidity is provided. Avoid hot, dry conditions. Fertilization:
About every 2 weeks while the plant is blooming.
Kalanchoe
Light: Bright, indirect. Water: Allow soil surface to dry
slightly between waterings. Do not overwater. Poor drainage, excessive
watering, and water left in the drainage saucer can cause root rot.
Temperature: 55°-70°F. Fertilization: Every 3
weeks while blooming.
English Ivy
Light: 3 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water: Keep soil
evenly moist, overwatering or allowing plants to stand in water will
lead to stem and root rot. Mist frequently. Misting helps prevent outbreaks
of spider mites. Spider mites are most commonly a problem indoors in winter
when air is hot and dry (the normal state of affairs in most homes).
Temperature: 60°-70°F days; 50°-55°F nights.
Fertilization: Every 2-3 weeks during late spring and summer.
Other: Plant your English ivy outdoors in shade to part shade if
you are tired of it as a houseplant. These are winter hardy here in
Atlanta. Variegated and fancy-leaf types don't take over in the garden
the way regular English ivy does.
This information was provided by:
Hastings
P.O. Box 190369, Atlanta, Georgia 31119
3920 Peachtree Road N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30319
Phone: 404-869-7447
Fax: 404-869-7449