GARDENING TIPS    HOW TO
       GET YOUR CHRISTMAS PLANTS TO BLOOM AGAIN

■    POINSETTIA
needs short days ( or long nights ) to trigger flowering.
To trick the plant to flower, cover the whole plant with
a light-tight box or a dark plastic bag daily for at least
12-14 hrs till you see flower bud formation.

The plant needs bright light the rest of the day. It is crucial to put the plant in total darkness for that many hours. Any stray light, even from an outside street
lamp will affect flowering.

Flower buds will form with color on the flowering
bracts in about 6 to 8 weeks. You can then stop the
dark treatment. Fertilize and water as usual. Do not
over water.

■    AMARYLLIS  

Withhold watering this month for 6-8 weeks. This
forces the plant into a dormancy period. 

Then place the plant in a cool (55º F) place and let it
dry out till the leaves dry up and fall off. This is the
rest period for the plant.

Repot with good potting soil with at least 1/3 of the
neck above the soil. The bulb like to be pot bound,
so plant the bulb in a pot slightly larger than the bulb diameter.

Keep the potted plant at a bright sunny window.
Fertilize when it starts to grow. Blooming starts in
3-8 weeks.

■    CHRISTMAS CACTUS

This plant likes soil that is barely moist.

A good moisture indicator- poke a pencil inside the
soil at the rim and feel the soil. If it is water-logged,
soil will stick to it.

The plant also likes high humidity. So place the pot
on a pebbled tray with water.

About 6 weeks before Christmas, put the plant in a
cool 60º-65º F and cover for 14 hours with a light-
proof bag for 14 hours a day. For the rest of the
10 hours, it needs bright indirect light.

When flower buds form, stop the dark treatment and resume watering and feeding. The soil should not be water-logged or too dry. Flower buds will fall off if the
soil is too dry. The plant will develop root rot if it is too wet.