Celebrating a new season of plants. (Gardening).

On a cold winter morning, I am walking in sunlight. The sunlight streams silently from a dewy sheer canopy of glass, warming the greenhouse paths and filling the air with the finest damp smell of earth. I am among plants that remind me of renewal and erase the cold of January I left at the doorstep.

Having green and blooming plants share your indoor space when the grass has faded and the trees are bare can turn your thoughts quickly away from the cold, gray winter. For this reason, plants are popular holiday gifts, and they can add a festive green touch to Christmas decorations. However, when the holiday season has ended and I find myself with the plants I have acquired, I wonder if they will all survive this year. The holiday plant parades tend to leave more than one foiled friend in my questionable care, and ironically, they seem to wither and die in direct proportion to the onset of Spring. So what to do with the amaryllis that has finished blooming or that Norfolk pine that looked so much better bedecked in its holiday jewels?

Despite the fact that plants given during the holidays tend to distract us with their sweet cards and festive bows, it is always good to remember these plants generally come from environments and habitats vastly different than our dry, low humidity homes. Indoor plants fight against heat ducts, air conditioners, low light, low moisture, and on occasion, from our own neglect. While it is not impossible to have holiday plants last longer than the season, it does take some special care and interest. So what plants are we talking about?

It almost goes without saying the most common plants shuffled around during the holidays are the poinsettia, the Christmas cactus, amaryllis, rosemary, and Norfolk pine. Others that appear to a lesser extent are cyclamens, kalanchoes, azaleas, and miniature roses. In searching for a few simple facts about general houseplant care and holiday plants, two voices almost mirrored each other in their advice on general care for indoor plants.

Linus Coughlin, otherwise known as Ozzie, of Tri-City Greenhouse and Coughlin Co. in Hernando likens plants to people. He suggests plants be viewed as houseguests, something you would feed and water daily, not once a week. Ozzie believes that the person that controls the water, grows the crop." He also points out that low light and failure to use plant food are also reasons plants fail to thrive. He suggests using liquid fertilizers and practicing the finger test to determine soil moisture. The most suitable temperature for indoor plants is approximately 65 to 70 degrees. Common pests to watch for are red spiders and mealy bugs.

After sharing the past thirty years of his life with plants and having family in the business since 1935, Ozzie professed wisely to me that his favorite plant is one that "does everything that it's supposed to do." When asked what indoor plant is "idiot proof," Ozzie was quick to choose the Sansevieria, commonly known as Mother-in-Law's tongue. For holidays, he also recommends scheffleras, silver queen, and aglaonema.

Another Southern voice that speaks from experience is that of Dick Withers of Withers Greenhouse Florist, Inc. of Jackson and Byram. A second generation florist who has been selling plants and flowers for more than twenty years, Mr. Withers echoes Ozzie's thoughts on the care of plants. Besides the usual holiday plants mentioned above, Mr. Withers also sells ficus or Benjamin fig, Chinese evergreen, and diffenbachia.

Mr. Withers believes strongly that lack of light is the biggest contributing factor to an unhealthy plant. He challenges that most plants in a home setting

can be placed in full sun because the light is not as strong as full, direct outdoor lighting. The only exception may be a Southwest corner of a home that has lots of glass. Many plants will begin to yellow and drop leaves due to low light, looking much like a plant that has been watered too much. He agrees that lack of moisture in homes is also a major reason plants like asparagus ferns, Boston ferns, and rosemary don't thrive, or barely survive, the winter indoors.

In addition to following some of the tips recommended for indoor plant care, plant owners will find some holiday plants require more specific care and can be higher maintenance. Most of the common green plants shipped during holidays such as the schefflera, ficus, peace lily, ivy, Chinese evergreen, and diffenbachia are generally not as demanding as their holiday counterparts. These plants have been grown successfully indoors year round, and good general care will usually carry these plants from season to season.

On the other hand, a poinsettia has specific care requirements. In regions far south such as Florida or Louisiana, poinsettias can be grown outdoors year round. For our area, poinsettias can be moved to a sunny location in the spring. Some recommend cutting the plant back before planting outdoors. Fertilize during the season and prune to keep the plant compact. The last pruning should be done in August in order to have Christmas blooms. Some experts say that poinsettias can be made to bloom at any time if given at least 13 to 14 hours of total darkness at night for at least a month.

The Christmas cactus is better suited to being indoors year round and can also be forced to bloom by changing the amount of light and moisture the plant receives. By keeping the soil drier, the temperature cooler, and giving the plant a period of time with more hours of darkness, buds will develop on the plant. Mr. Withers humorously suggests that a Christmas cactus could actually be called a July cactus, an Easter cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus depending on when it blooms. My own mother has a Christmas cactus that is twenty years old and has happily bloomed at various times.

Amaryllis bulbs can be easily used again. Plant in a sunny location either in the ground or in a sunken pot when the weather warms. In early fall, the bulb can be dug and placed in a dark spot for 6 to 8 weeks. Repot the bulb, water, and move to a sunny spot indoors. Another stalk should begin to emerge and bloom in time for Christmas.

Rosemary is a trickier plant to grow indoors. The plant will usually drop needles from lack of moisture and prefers cool nights. Although it is disappointing to see manicured holiday topiaries die, it is not uncommon for this plant to fail to flourish indoors. For those hopeful souls who persist, a sunny southern window, plenty of moisture and no warm vents would be the best growing conditions, but don't be discouraged if this is one plant that does not perform.

No matter which holiday plant moves into your heart and home, a little extra care and attention may succeed in keeping fond holiday memories alive through the year. And for those plants lost, there is always the hope of another season!