For Release November 28, 2004

Holiday Plant Material Care

AGRI-VIEWS
by Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent

With Thanksgiving behind us, the pell mell rush to Christmas is underway and with that comes decorating our homes. While those decorations come in all shapes, colors, sizes and origins, they often include natural plant materials in many different ways. It is essential that we exercise proper care of these materials not only to insure their longevity, but to insure the safety of our families. Let's quickly run down the list of oft used plant materials and how to maintain them.

Poinsettias are one of the more popular holiday plants of the year. We need to remember that these are perennial plants that exist naturally in a very limited ecosystem so are quite sensitive to their environment. Protect them from extreme heat or cold. They will do best with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. Do not place them where they'll get cold drafts from doors and windows. Likewise, avoid hot spots like the tops of televisions, near furnace vents, or close to wood stoves or fireplaces.

Do not let the plant dry out to the point that it wilts or all the leaves will fall off. Likewise, do not drown the plant as you can kill them. The festive foil they wrap the pots in is nice, but punch holes in the bottom to let excess water drain. Do not water them every day, but check the soil every day and water when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch.

Live Christmas trees bring a look, smell and feel into the home that can not be duplicated. But the minute these trees are cut they start to die. The one thing they need is water, and lots of it! Without water they quickly become a tinder dry collection of sap that can explode into flames faster than you can imagine. Buy a fresh tree, but stall a few days before putting it up. Stick the tree in a bucket of water in a cool garage and let it start to re-hydrate.

Before placing the tree in the stand, cut about an inch off the bottom of the trunk to expose fresh stem tissue which will more effectively take up water. Immediately put the tree in the stand and get it back in water. Check the water two to three times a day for the first week until you learn how often you need to add water. I like to add water to my tree stand every 12 hours. Never let it run out of water. Then as quickly as you can after the holidays, take the tree down and get it outside where wildlife can appreciate it!

Not as common as Christmas trees or poinsettias is natural greenery in the forms of wreaths, swags and garlands. This greenery may be holly, boxwood, spruce, pine, fir or juniper. Regardless of what it is, it is a cut branch that will start to dry out the minute you bring it in the house. These materials are best used outside, but can be used, with caution, indoors.

Wait until the last minute to decorate indoors with these items. Place them where they will not be close to any open flame or even a possible heat source. The conifer type materials become a great risk once they dry down so minimize the length of time that they are in the house. If you need to have the decorations up for an extended period of time, consider replacing with fresh material periodically. Again, as soon as the occasion has passed, remove the decorations and place the plant materials outdoors.

The upcoming holiday season is a special time for many of us. Natural plant material can make it even more so. But make sure that it is used so as not to bring tragedy to your home!

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